I have always subscribed to the KISS theory (keep it simple stupid) when tending to my reef tanks so I love it when I come across a piece of equipment that makes my life easier. A number of months ago I purchased an internal Deltec SC 1456 skimmer and it has literally been a set it and forget piece of equipment. Once I adjusted the foam level to the desired level, I sat back and watched it collect A LOT of sludge-like skimmate. No constant tinkering or fine-tuning.
And what about maintenance? Well, there is not a lot to worry about. The skimmer is very easy to disassemble and clean, including the incredibly quiet, low wattage DC pump. Once a month I pull the air line out of the bottom of the pump’s muffler and let it suck in some tank water to clean out any deposits in the Venturi. Additionally, every three months I remove the pump and clean it to make sure the inside is completely free of gunk and any calcium deposits.
The skimmer has a very small footprint and is incredibly efficient for its size.
Deltec SC 1456 Internal Skimmer Specifications
- Dimensions (LxWxH) / 9.2 x 5.5 x 20.6 inches
- Dimensions plus pipework 10.2 x 6 x 20.6 inches
- Power consumption – 16-17 watts
- Airflow – 600 litre/hr
- Water level – min. 6 / max. 10 inches
- High stocking – 211 gallons
- Normal stocking – 264 Gallons
It is important to make sure you properly size the skimmer with your system so it is a really good idea to consult with the manufacturer or a Deltec retailer. I ended up going with this skimmer since my prior skimmer was actually too big for my bio load. So bigger is not necessarily better when it comes to skimmers.
Overall, I would highly recommend the economical Deltec SC 1456 to any reef keeper looking for a high performing skimmer that is both reliable and hassle-free, a characteristic I truly appreciate!
Additional Resources
If you would like some help with a new tank build, including help designing a custom aquarium, or help re-configuring your current setup then you can visit this page for more information. And if you are looking to add some equipment, I do sell GHL, Pax Bellum, Reef Octopus Calcium and Kalk Reactors and Royal Exclusiv products, including Dreamboxes, which is the equipment I use and recommend. I also sell Reef Brite metal halide and LED fixtures as well as Maxspect & IceCap Gyres.
As for additional insights and information, please explore my many other reef tank and SPS related articles as well as my YouTube channel. For an even deeper dive into reef tank care you can check out my Reef Keeping Master Class. This online course is an immersive and one of a kind educational tool designed to help reef aquarium hobbyists build and maintain a beautiful SPS reef tank. The course is a series of video presentations with some supplemental video from my YouTube channel. There are also quizzes to help students retain and understand the information presented in the course.
Need some frags…..I can help with that as well 🙂 Please visit my SPS Frag store to see what is available.
