Sca-301

[SmoothSmoke]

First time reefer here. I'm trying to assemble the SCA-301 skimmer. I have it assembled but not sure if I did it correctly. It would be great if they would have included an owners manual or even a 1 page assembly instructions. Anyone know if an online owners manual exists???

 

[fredfish13]

Got the 302 and could not find any manual. Just looked on line and youtube for pics to get me in the right direction. GL.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Yeah, same here dude. I think I have it right, looks the same as the youtube vids.

Do you happen to know what the function of this smaller container is?

 

[myram]

I've got a SCA-301 and it didn't come with that piece.

I think that is just kind of an intake muffler for the air, not really needed, and you'll have to remove it everytime you want to clean the collection cup.

Steve

 

[Nemo345]

Yeah, same here dude. I think I have it right, looks the same as the youtube vids.

Do you happen to know what the function of this smaller container is?

That is a new model of their skimmer. That small container is a silencers, nothing you have to do with it.
About manual, i have the old 302, just setup like a picture they gave. Let it run at level 2 to start break in

 

[Brautumn]

I just got the SCA-301 in today. I followed the pictures in the book that came with it (no instructions) and it looks like what you have pictured there. I believe that little container is called a silencer. Overall the unit is working pretty good.
Have you put this in your sump yet?

 

[geno7]

The little container is an air silencer. It does quieten the air intake down. I just ordered the 301. I'm running an old Vertex In-100 on a 40 breeder, a bit to much skimmer for my setup. I hope this is the great deal I believe it to be. We will see. It does look like you have it assembled correctly.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

No not yet. I just finished my plumbing tonight. Will test it out thia weekend.

 

[aggriffin3]

I am thinking of getting the SCA for my tank. (40 breeder w/ 20L sump)
Could I get away with the 301 or would I need to go to the 302?

Thanks

Art

 

[geno7]

I am thinking of getting the SCA for my tank. (40 breeder w/ 20L sump)
Could I get away with the 301 or would I need to go to the 302?

Thanks

Art

I got my 301 in. It is a small skimmer. Some things I would like to see improved, the valut or air inlet doesn't fit tightly to the pump, the pump doesnt fit tightly to the skimmer. If you pick the skimmer body up, the pump falls off. The interior of the skimmer is inaccesable, so you really can't do a good cleaning on it. For $94.00 shipped, not a bad deal. I believe the 302 can be dissasembled for cleaning and is built close to the Bubble Magus NAC series that I have owned. My skimmer is still breaking in. I will update on performance later. They rate the 301 for up to a 65 gal tank. In theory it should handle the 40 breader just fine.

 

[aggriffin3]

I would prefer the cheaper 301, but most have told me to double my water volume. Which in my case will be 40 gallons plus 10 gallons for the sump. Not sure how much you take out for 40 pounds of live rock and sand?

Art

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Its rated up to 80 gallons. You should be fine.

 

[aggriffin3]

I am seeing it is rated to 65 gallons? Isnt the rule of thumb 2x water volume.

Art

 

[SmoothSmoke]

That's what I thought too, being 65 gallons. But the brochure/manual says 80 gallons. Maybe a typo?

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Check it out

 

[geno7]

My opinion of the skimmer. I'm running it on a 40 breeder with a 20 long sump, and live rock. I'm guessing 35 gal of water. The skimmer does great. If it had another 1" of height and another 1" at the base it would be the best with the pump. Lots of micro bubbles. There close but not there. There loosing efficiency with the small size. This skimmer is tiney. If I had it to do over again, I would
Hold on to my money and go with a swc 120,

 

[myram]

I've got mine running on my setup, and it's pulling out dark stinky crap every day.

If I have to replace it at some point, I'll go with the SCA-302 now that I have more space in the sump.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

So what exact water level is the 301 suppose to sit at? My baffle is 8" high, yet my water level is actually 9". If 9" is too much, I need to head to home depot and buy some egg crate pronto.

 

[myram]

1" above the red bubble plate inside the skimmer......or about 7.5" of water.

My baffle is 7", and my water level is about 7.5"..........I have the skimmer set on 1......and it's working great.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

1" above the red bubble plate inside the skimmer......or about 7.5" of water.

My baffle is 7", and my water level is about 7.5"..........I have the skimmer set on 1......and it's working great.

Thanks! I just read elsewhere that the sweet spot is between 6-8". I'll shoot for 7-7.5" based on your recommendation.