DIY Deltec MCE600 cup

[imisky]

hey guys,

This DIY is mostly for those who own a MCE600 (unless you are bored and just want to build one). We all know that the MCE600 is a powerful skimmer however the place that is lacks the most if the skimmer cup, after looking at some of the bigger skimmers and looking at the C&C HOB 125H i thought, hey why cant the MCE600 have a cylindrical rise as well.


So after measuring i found that biggest acrylic tube that can fit into the given area of the MCE600 cup location is 2 1/4", any bigger than that and you wont be able to fit a down tube on the lid.

the cup also has a "cone" shaped bottom instead of flat bottom to allow the bubbles to rise more easily. so far within 5 minutes it has worked great, ive never seen this skimmer produce a foam head this fast but there still much more to tweak will update as i go.

Specs:

(identical to the origional MCE600 cup)
the height is: 14cm
length: 9.7cm
width: 7.35cm

down tube: 2 1/2"
rise rube: 2 1/4"

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/imisky/MCE600%20cup/IMGP6014.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/imisky/MCE600%20cup/IMGP6015.jpg
DIY compared to Original
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/imisky/MCE600%20cup/IMGP6017.jpg
foam head after 5 minutes
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/imisky/MCE600%20cup/IMGP6018.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/imisky/MCE600%20cup/IMGP6020.jpg

[Red Coral Aquariums]

I might have to think about something like this as I got in a mce 600 in that was missing a cup.
Good job on it.
Kevin

[whiteice669]

nice job, where did you get the tubing from ?

[imisky]

all the materials including tubes were bought at industrial plastics and paint. Its a little expensive but they have quite a bit of selection when it comes to scraps which is a bit cheaper.

[pluff]

Looks great....Do you think it would work better,if the cup and center riser were taller?

Cheers,

[imisky]

hm..as of right now the cup has been pulling some fairly dark skimmate for me, definitely much darker than compared to the stock cup. the height is actually quite good i just set it mark it on the overflow tube of where it should be and forget. constant good skimming everytime.