Cone Skimmer SWC/MSX vs. K2

[ryshark]

I am going to get a cone skimmer and I think I have narrowed my choices down to these two. Which do you think is a better skimmer? I want to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $700 so in order to compare apples with apples, I think it would be fair to compare Warner Marine K2 vs the MSX/SWC 1S or 2S
I have a 180-gallon sps tank. I don't want to worry about overfeeding or overstocking.
Additional things Id like to take into consideration while choosing the better skimmer are:
1. Price
2. Customer Service
3. Watts of heat from the pump in my sump

I would appreciate any input, advice, experiene etc. Thanks.

 

[cobbobby]

Well the msx/swc is much larger than the k2. With one sicce i'd go with the k2. If you go with two sicce's it will destroy the k2. I wouldn't worry about wattage. Your talking 42w for two pump's.

 

[luther1200]

I would get the K2 if it was me.

 

[cobbobby]

Well #'s wise and performance wise i'd say the k2 >S1 but when you compare pricing S2 is the same as the K2. And the S2>k2. For a 180g i'd take two sicce's over one.

 

[sreefs]

For a little more I'd get the Alpha 200 made by Royal Exclusiv.

 

[ryshark]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15587874#post15587874 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cobbobby
Well the msx/swc is much larger than the k2. With one sicce i'd go with the k2. If you go with two sicce's it will destroy the k2. I wouldn't worry about wattage. Your talking 42w for two pump's.

Although, not the best financial decision, I do like that you can always add a second sicce later to the 1S as the bioload increases. Is the swc/msx really that much larger than a K2

 

[ryshark]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15588250#post15588250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sreefs
For a little more I'd get the Alpha 200 made by Royal Exclusiv.

This has only a 8" diameter base. Both the K2 and SWC/MSX are larger cones and I think can handle more water volume. I could be wrong though

 

[vanillagorila]

Don't think that two is always better than one. I've had a k2, I have pics posted up in the WM forum. The k2 is a very good skimmer. I'd look at that ATB 8.5 also.

 

[mojo~]

well, I have a k2 as well. Well I know its not one of the two you are looking at. But what about the hurricone cat 1 or the msx 250A Move more water and air and save a couple bucks.

 

[reef2]

im running a swc cone with a askol pump on my 240g. thing kicks butt.

 

[ryshark]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15588690#post15588690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vanillagorila
Don't think that two is always better than one. I've had a k2, I have pics posted up in the WM forum. The k2 is a very good skimmer. I'd look at that ATB 8.5 also.

I'd love an ATB but I think to be equivalent I would need the 1050 and I dont want to spend a grand

 

[ryshark]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15588821#post15588821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
well, I have a k2 as well. Well I know its not one of the two you are looking at. But what about the hurricone cat 1 or the msx 250A Move more water and air and save a couple bucks.

I'll check those out, I haven't looked into them yet. thanks

 

[ryshark]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15588855#post15588855 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reef2
im running a swc cone with a askol pump on my 240g. thing kicks butt.

Did you see any temp increase when you went with the Askol? I saw a video on youtube showing the askoll pulling over 70-watts. Besides that I know it is an awesome pump.

 

[vanillagorila]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15590765#post15590765 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ryshark
Did you see any temp increase when you went with the Askol? I saw a video on youtube showing the askoll pulling over 70-watts. Besides that I know it is an awesome pump.

I have the ATB airstar 1300 (askoll) and I didn't notice any temp increase. it pulls 1600 lph at 46 watts.

 

[tertansin2]

Have you taken a look at the Reef Octopus Super XP 2000
Cone Protein Skimmer by CoralVue? Not bad for $400.

http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus-super-xp-2000-br-cone-protein-skimmer-br-by-coralvue-2644.html

 

[reef2]

no i didnt notice any temp increase.

 

[addicted2reefin]

the bubble blaster on the octopus is the SHIZNIT! only reason i didnt get that is because i need external

i would get the swc w/ askoll for 799

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...=PROD&Product_Code=SWC-250A&Category_Code=SWC

its recirc or insump

 

[ryshark]

I do like Octopus and would get that cone if I had a smaller tank. However, I think my tank is too big for it. Ocotpus has a bigger cone coming out "later this year" with a 10" base and a bigger pump, but I don't know if I can wait that long.