Newer SWC cone skimmer

[BlueStag]

Anyone using the newer SWC cone skimmer? Some of the new improvements for 2009 look like it will really make it a skimming beast. A very good option for larger tank owners.

From what I've researched, the neck diameter size has increased from 5" to 6". A pretty good upgrade, since the model I was looking at is the one with the Askoll pump. And I think the 6" neck works better for all that air pull. They have also redone the volute and venturi. The pictures show it as a nice white, to match the rest of the skimmer. There is supposed to be a new needlewheel too. Together they are supposed to have increased the air draw to over 2200-2300+LPH! The new Vertex/Bubble King cone is only supposed to be pulling 1500 LPH with the Red Dragon version of the same pump. The Vertex/Bubble King cone is very similar in size, being the same height and having the same neck diameter. The SWC is $100 bucks less too.

They also are supposed to have worked alot of the bugs out, from the first generation cones, improving on the recirculation plumbing. Not sure, but I think they widened the input, allowing the pump to run full throttled, and not restricted.

I was looking at the Hurricone, but now am eyeing this monster. Anyone using this skimmer? How's the build quality?

 

[Mike de Leon]

I just got one but not with the Askoll pump. It took a couple of hours to break in. Large bubbles in the beginning. I got one with the double sicces. I started getting skimmate after about five hours or so.
The build quality is not bad. The body itself is good, but the pump very simple.
Performance is amazing.

 

[BlueStag]

What's your neck size on the Sicce model? Is it 6"?

You should look into the ATB needlewheel replacement for your Sicce. They sell them at Reefspecialty. It's supposed to draw the most air of all the different needlewheels out there.

 

[Mike de Leon]

I am not looking into doing any mods on this one. That's why I spent the extra money compared to the old one I had.
This thing produces a ton of bubbles. I can see this really rock after a couple of days. I will post pic soon.
The neck is 6 inches.

 

[GSMguy]

The SWC pinwheel performs just fine, no need to spend 30 bucks on the ATB pinwheel if you allready have the SWC PW.

 

[Mike de Leon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14709196#post14709196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
The SWC pinwheel performs just fine, no need to spend 30 bucks on the ATB pinwheel if you allready have the SWC PW.

Do you know how much air this pulls?

 

[BlueStag]

Just got off the phone and was asking about the skimmer , the correct neck diameter has increased to 5.5" diameter. Not sure if that is inside or outside diameter, when measured. But I was told the neck length also increased as well as the diameter increased. So it will handle the Askoll much better. They are also saying it should be pulling 2400+ LPH with the new needlwheel design. Wow! Thats nearly 1000 LPH more than the Vertex/Bubble King Alpha cone is being advertised at.

The plumbing on the recirc also got widened to 1 1/4". This keeps the pump from being too restricted.

Nice moves by this company. I'm thinking this is the best cone for the $ for Larger tanks(200+gallons). ATB seems to have done a great job with the 840 and the Sicce for smaller tanks. But the 1050 with the airstar cost alot more, and only has a 4" neck, with less air pull. The Alpha isn't out yet, and looks well built, but the advertised air pull is a lot less than the SWC.

This is one tasty skimmer.

 

[ccradr]

Where do you purchase these swc cones?

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14709837#post14709837 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mike de Leon
Do you know how much air this pulls?

depending on Depth and the skimmer its hooked up too. the MSX pinwheel pulls 800-1000 LPH and the ATB pulls between 800-1100. i would only buy the ATB wheel if all i had was mesh or the coralvue pinwheel that only pulls 600-700LPH on my ATB small body.

the thing about the ATB large PPW is that it has shorter pins so it gets clogged less and starts up a little easier.

SWC cones come from Marine Solutions, and Saltwater connection. they have a sponsor forum here..

 

[BlueStag]

Just found out the 2009 cones, just arrived here in the states a few days ago, and haven't been sold yet. So that's why no one has one yet. :lol:

 

[dzhuo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14709177#post14709177 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mike de Leon
I am not looking into doing any mods on this one. That's why I spent the extra money compared to the old one I had.
This thing produces a ton of bubbles. I can see this really rock after a couple of days. I will post pic soon.
The neck is 6 inches.

Mike,
what's the noise level on this skimmer?

 

[Mike de Leon]

It was noisy in the beginning but the level has dropped dramatically. I can see it even improving in the next couple of days.
The performance is outstanding. The skimmate it's produced in the last three days is the same amount my old skimmer produced in a week. And I don't think is completely broken in yet. No regrets on the purchase..

 

[Mike de Leon]

BTW, mine has two sicces..

 

[Mike de Leon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14746714#post14746714 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlueStag
Just found out the 2009 cones, just arrived here in the states a few days ago, and haven't been sold yet. So that's why no one has one yet. :lol:

Try saltwater.com.

 

[Mike de Leon]

What do you think guys? This has about 4 days' worth.

 

[BlueStag]

Mike love how dark the skim is. What size system is yours?

Any way you could measure the inside of your skimmer neck? Just wondering if the Sicce model is the same as the Askoll version. I know for 2008 it was, but for 2009 I'd like to find out.

 

[BlueStag]

This is the new pump that's making me drool.:eek1: The numbers that MSX is saying they are getting from the initial tests is pretty impressive. More air than any of the other Laguna based 1500's are pulling. It has a noticable volute that is larger than the other companies. Just slightly, but enough to draw the extra air. Nice white contrast.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1616431

 

[sjm817]

 

[Mike de Leon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14756876#post14756876 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlueStag
Mike love how dark the skim is. What size system is yours?

Any way you could measure the inside of your skimmer neck? Just wondering if the Sicce model is the same as the Askoll version. I know for 2008 it was, but for 2009 I'd like to find out.

measured the neck and it's just under 6 inches. One of the pumps were making quite a noise. Called SWC, they told me to put it sideways and it's been quite since..