Deltec MCX300 protein skimmer introduces novel inside out waste cup design

By Jake Adams on Jul 13, 2012

The Detlec MCX300 protein skimmer has a tiny footprint to run inside small sumps, and an entry level price point so it can stay inside modest budgets. For just 119€ ($145) the Deltec MCX300 comes with an MCE 300 needle wheel pump, which is Deltec’s modified MaxiJet 1000 which is easy to replace, and even easy to upgrade to a 1200. What’s particularly neat about the MCX300 is that Deltec has implemented a unique inside out design for the waste collection cup.

Collection cup modification for freshwater use of Schuran protein skimmer

Instead of having the waste collect on the outside of the final riser tube like a ring, the Deltec MCX300 has the cylindrical waste collection cup nested inside final riser tube, like a t00b within a t00b. An inception protein skimmer collection cup. Interestingly enough, we’ve seen a very similar design in a protein skimmer by Schuran with a modification that fits inside the riser tube to help the the foam be fractionated in freshwater applications.

Where this skimmer trick came from we don’t know, but we like what Deltec’s done with it. However this does mean that the height required for the installation of the MCX300 requires a little more height clearance for the servicing of the skimmate, which is totally not a problem in some of the larger AIO reef aquariums.

The Deltec MCX300 requires a minimum of 10 inches (25cm) of water height to run properly and its needle wheel MCE300 pump consumes 12.5 watts of power while drawing 150 liters of air per hour. Deltec rates the MCX300 for use on normally stocked tanks up to 66 gallons and lightly stocked up to 84 gallons. [Deltec]

Schuran protein skimmer with collection cup modification for freshwater use

XD_1

Theoretically speaking, wouldn’t the t00b within a t00b have more surface area of neck friction than an otherwise identical skimmer with a normal cup, and thus be less efficient? Or do I misunderestimate the design?
http://twitter.com/SeanoHermano Herman

Looks like a not-so-sexy version of the Hydor Koralia Slim Skim.
http://twitter.com/CoralFarmerUsh Flynn

This looks like the same cup idea as the Deltec MCE300 which is probably over 6 years old now?
koraltek

how is this any different than the collection cup on the mce300 skimmer???
not in the slightest way new at all….lulz
but the in-sump design of this skimmer is new and excellent, and considering its about half as much as the mce300 with same power, its a total win!!!!!
the footprint would be nice info too
koraltek

but at 150lph@12w for the american model, thats probably twice the power of the hydor slimskim.
also, you could mesh mod this impeller very easily without chopping the ring of pins on the pinwheel, unless they have a new pinwheel design from the mce300, but i doubt it, deltec is infamous for a “if its isnt broke dont fix it” attitude
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001443324671 Patrick Jewell

HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST MODIFY THAT WHICH IS UN-MODIFIABLE. YOU WILL BE PUNISHED FOR YOUR HERESY!! BURRNN BURRRRRNNNNNNNNN!!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001443324671 Patrick Jewell

This seems exploitable… http://tinyurl.com/ccnlhoy
koraltek

lulz…. im burning now!!! …flesh dropping off…. :O
i just question their rating of 150lph being good for up to 84g…
(i usually prescribe 600lph air for every 100g of display for sps)
and i remember mesh modding the mce300 was super easy and could be done without chopping the impeller at all, just take one layer of mesh, heat with hair dryer or heat gun and smash, then fasten with fishing line, flat side up, then cut to size. it didnt disturb the single ring of pins at all. my air meter was too big to get a good reading with that little air , but it added about another 100lph to air injection.
the real trick is deltecs nice aspirating venturi for the maxi-jet, and i found that upgrading the pump to a mj-1200 only moved more water but was a nominal increase in air injection. plus, thats the old school italian version of the maxi-jet and the 1000 model isnt even available in usa, colbalt only does the 400, 600, 900, 1200 if im not mistaken, and you dont want the new shit chinese version from marineland.
koraltek

it only looks like more area, its probably the same as a regular 1.0-1.5″ collection cup neck,
it actually worked quite efficently, hence why they probably kept the design as opposed to upgrading to the same neck as on all their other skimmers.
Blair Mrachek

Couldn’t agree more. $145 for anything with the Deltec name is a win. If I were setting up a small reef tank, around 20-30 gallons, I don’t think I would choose anything else regardless of price. The price, the tiny footprint, and the quality that Deltec brings to the table combine for a really good product and a big win for nano-reefers. Deltec is definitely going to sell a lot of these.
reefkoi

I have an old hang on deltec that has this same cup, I dont think its new at all really is it?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001443324671 Patrick Jewell

But can it handle that flow? I mean they designed it. Why wouldn’t they do that to begin with? All jokes aside…I wouldn’t change it.

Unless there is real measurable reasons to do so.
Jon Hahn

I agree. I design skimmers with 1000lph per 100g for heavy stocking, half that for light stocking, 3/4 (750lph) for medium stocking. This does not cut it.
The inside out neck isn’t new, as mentioned. On the previous MCE300, most of the skimmate was either very wet, or it would just build up on the neck before getting into the collection cup.
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