Many years ago, after graduating college and taking the first leaps into professional adulthood, I eagerly signed a lease with what I believed was a “too good to be true” apartment.
With soaring ceilings, antique built-in bookshelves and an extremely affordable rent, I thought I’d hit the apartment jackpot. But, as life has taught all of us, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
After several weeks of decorating and enjoying the perks of living alone, I began developing signs of what could only be described as allergies. Sneezing, coughing and irritated eyes greeted me each and every morning.
Author:
As a lifelong aquarist, Yuliya has an endless curiosity about our underwater universe. After graduating with a bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering, she transformed her passion into a successful career. While working at the Institute of Environmental Protection in Moscow, her passion for saltwater and reef aquariums only increased. Moving to the United States in 2013, Yuliya embarked on another impactful journey by sharing her unprecedented experience for all aquarium hobbyists ... Read More.
Typically, this wouldn’t be a cause of concern, but this sudden bout of familiar symptoms wasn’t from the blossoming trees. Because there were no blossoms as everything as far as the eyes could see was covered in snow.
Over the course of several days, I began my investigation into the culprit of my bloodshot eyes and drowsy mind. So, what was the culprit?
As it turned out, my new home was also the cause of my new sickness. Hidden by ceiling tiles and cheap wallpaper was an army of mold, dust and unknown amounts of irritants. My home may have looked nice, but hidden under its veneer was decades of grime and scum.
Thankfully, not all was lost. Through deep cleaning and powerful air filtration systems, my remaining time in my dream home was just that, a dream.
Why tell you this story of apartment living gone wrong? In many ways, this unfortunate incident plays out in countless reef aquariums.
Instead of mold, dander and other allergens, improperly maintained and filtered reef tanks allow dissolved organic compounds, or DOC’s, to invade an otherwise perfect environment.
Without a powerful and complete filtration system, it’s impossible to sustain a healthy environment for coral and other inhabitants. Of course, for both novice and experienced aquarists, the need for effective filtration isn’t a new topic.
However, the folly of many reefers isn’t a complete lack of filtration, but rather, the type of systems employed.
A common misconception among new reefers is that you only need a primary biological filtration system. While a biomedia system is necessary, its efficiency and operation isn’t powerful enough for most aquarium environments.
To truly cleanse and sustain optimum water health, biological filters must be supported by a protein skimmer. This essential filtration device supports the filtering action of biomedia via a process known as foam fractioning.
While the topic of reef tank filtration is essential to understand, that’s not what we’re diving into today. Instead, I want to introduce you to one of the most capable protein skimmers that’s ever hit the market.
It goes without saying, the quality of aquarium equipment directly influences tank health, vitality and aesthetic beauty. However, this statement is especially true when it comes to filtration devices.
Without further ado, I present to you the Deltec 600ix AC Protein Skimmer.
Deltec 600ix AC Protein Skimmer - Innovative Filtration Power.
To say the quality of a protein skimmer determines its effect on your tank is a vast understatement. Even though this statement may feel exaggerated, its truth is evident by simply understanding its purpose.
Unlike other aquarium components, protein skimmers are charged with the task of maintaining biological homeostasis and purity. Install an inefficient or unreliable skimmer and you’ll soon find your reef tank overcome with potentially toxic compounds.
This is why, out of almost any other tank device, I recommend spending time researching and investigating the quality of any potential skimmer. While I’m not here to say the Deltec 600ix AC Protein Skimmer is the absolute best device ever created, it is one of most efficient and reliable I’ve come across thus far.
Before getting into the specifics of its operation, let’s take a moment and familiarize ourselves with its maker. Like any other product, the quality of a manufacturer is a clear indicator of product worthiness. So, just how worthy is the 600ix AC? I’ll let you decide.
The Bubbles of Advancement - Deltec Aquaristik Overview.
As an engineer, whenever I learn of an equipment manufacturer with multiple patents, I immediately take notice. Unlike the countless other businesses sprinkled throughout the aquarium industry, Deltec stands out not purely for its product offerings.
For over 30 years, Deltec has consistently paved new avenues for hobbyists via quality products and industry-changing innovations. While there are many businesses who sell similar grade equipment, what I appreciate most about Deltec is their commitment to ideation.
Any company with a few engineers and developers can create aquarium equipment, but only a handful directly influence progress via their products. Throughout the past three decades, Deltec has positioned itself as not just another supplier, but as an advocate for aquarists. Above all else, this is worth noting.
The Next Generation of Skimmers - Deltec 600ix AC.
If you’re familiar with this brand, then you’ve likely heard about the retirement of the SC/SCC/SCM skimmer series. While these older models gained substantial attention, the upcoming 600ix AC series makes its predecessors look archaic.
The 600ix AC skimmer U.S.A. release is slated for 2018, and let’s just say its debut has many aquarists quivering in anticipation. But if you want it early, send a message and maybe we can help you with that.
So, what makes this upgraded skimmer such a desirable product? Let’s begin our exploration and allow its features and capabilities to answer this question…
Prevention is Paramount - Emergency Overflow System.
Throughout my experience dealing with skimmers, a lack of foresight by developers has led to countless problems. More specifically, how this system handles water overflow.
While many skimmers provide stellar performance under ideal conditions, as any reefer with at least some experience can attest, even professional setups eventually encounter problems.
In the case of skimmers, a major problem encountered at one point or another involves excessively high water levels in the sump or air intake line issues.
Regardless of the cause, the result is the same: protein skimmer collection cup overflow into the sump.
The typical response to this situation is often referred to as overcooking, which essentially means the skimmer boils over. Ultimately, this situation negatively influences your tank as the water located in the foam collection cup is rinsed back into the main display.
As you can imagine, this could spell disaster for the health and vitality of your sensitive tank inhabitants.
Thankfully, and the 600ix AC emergency overflow and regulator pipe minimizes the likelihood of serious complication. Should an overflow occur, excess water drains through the overflow pipe.
Another unique feature of this system is its customizable pipe arrangement. While this may seem like a minor feature, I really appreciate the design possibilities offered by this setup.
Lastly, at least in terms of the emergency overflow system, minimum and maximum water level marks streamline piping setup and monitoring. This may be a minor feature, but sometimes it’s really is the small things that make the biggest difference.
Powerful Efficiency - Deltec 600ix AC Pump & Chamber Floor.
Without a powerful pumping system, a skimmer is essentially useless. To say the pump is the true fuel powering the skimmer system is an accurate statement.
The previous Deltec protein skimmer was efficient. However, the 600ix AC pump is surprisingly powerful. In terms of overall operation, this pump outperforms many of its competitors.
This DCS 400 pump is officially classified as a low-consumption pump, which means its power requirements and energy usage is minimal. At first, I wasn’t convinced. I mean, how many times have we been promised a “low-consumption” device only to discover the opposite to be true? After running the pump and reviewing a variety of technical documents regarding its initial and longterm energy consumption, this statement is thankfully true.
When measured in normal/standard operation, the 600ix AC renders 450 liters of air. The best part? This acceptable performance only demands 9 to 11 watts of power.
Quiet Operation, Loud Results - Noteworthy Features.
There’s nothing quite as annoying as noisy tank equipment. Even if a product outperforms your expectations, if the beauty of your aquarium is drowned out by constant rattling, rumbling and whirling, it’s hard to completely enjoy the fruit of your labor.
What really struck me about the Deltec 600ix AC skimmer is its operational noise, or more accurately, the lack thereof.
Its muted operation is mostly due to its hollow chamber floor. This design features a dual purpose. First, it supports performance efficiency by guiding water through the hollow chamber, which helps mute vibration and noise. Secondly, water exits the skimmer on the bottommost portion of the device, which minimizes air bubble escape into the aquarium.
Basically, the hollow chamber boosts the efficiency of the entire system while safeguarding the auditory tranquility of your tank. This is a feature very few skimmers offers, and it’s one you’ll definitely appreciate.
Along with its solid operational design, the 600ix AC skimmer is a breeze to clean. Well, as breezy as cleaning a skimmer can be.
Deltec officially states you can thoroughly remove the pump when it needs cleaning is 20 seconds or less. As an engineer, I’m always eager to put such claims to the test.
With my fellow Reef Hacks aquarist standing by to time the pump removal, we tested the 20 second pump removal proposition. Well, wouldn’t you know it, I completely removed the pump from the system in about 15 seconds.
Laughing, we both realized the Deltec 600ix AC isn’t like almost every other product that makes ridiculous claims. And this, my aquarist friend, is the greatest feature any product can offer.
The Era of Easy Maintenance - Final Thoughts.
Ultimately, the Deltec 600ix AC Protein Skimmer is a welcomed addition in the realm of reef tank equipment. Its solid design, ability to filter 200 to 600 liter or 50 to 160 galloons tanks and energy efficient design separates it from nearly any other skimmer.
While I’m not here to proclaim this as the world’s best protein skimmer, I am here to help you navigate your way through the noisy marketplace.
If you’re searching for a new skimmer to replace your existing device, or you’re establishing a brand new aquarium, I absolutely recommend the 600ix AC and this is the skimmer that we're using for our Red Sea REEFER 170.
As always, if you aren’t sure whether this skimmer is best for you, or aren’t entirely sure what a skimmer does, connect with Reef Hacks on Facebook and send us a message.
On behalf of the entire Reef Hacks team, Happy Reefing!
by Yuliya Ivanova for ReefHacks.