SWC 1A Cone skimmer review

[fernandokng]

What makes it "not" a BK skimmer?

It looks the same! ;-) doesn't it even say Bubble King in the Pump?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14990973#post14990973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Its confusing. The Vertex cone is manufactured by R.E. in Germany which is the same company that makes BK skimmers. The Alpha 250 is not a "B.K." skimmer.

 

[BlueStag]

Mojo now I know how you feel now. Before this thread turns to much, I'd like to give my one week review and opinion. After running this skimmer for a week I've been thoroughly won over by this SWC 1A cone skimmer. It has performed flawlessly for me.

The cone body is a great design, and appears to be well engineered and thought out. This is the best BALANCED skimmer I've ever seen. SWC made all the small changes that made this skimmer work great in every area that I can think of. The small increase in the height of the overall body and the extra length of the neck. Coupled with the increase of the neck diamter, seems to work outstanding with this pump. The materials and construction is tight and attractive.

This pump is super strong and extremely quite. It also appears to be reliable on start up. Of all the Laguna 1500 versions being made right now. The SWC Askoll version has the highest air pull of any of them right now. Not only does it have the highest air pull at 75 SCFH (2100LPH), it has room for more, at 90 SCFH (2500LPH), by simply removing the restriction that SWC has put onto the pump. It's as simple as pulling a tube out of a tube. If your like me, in the past I've been dissappointed with the pumps in every one of my past skimmers. Always looking for ways to mod my pumps for more air(drilling, modding, meshing, ect). It is very nice to see a company put a pump onto a skimmer that is bringing so much air to the body that there is NO wanting of more air. Even better, the company restricted the air so that it is BALANCED with the body. They compliment each other and work magnificent together.

I highly recomend this skimmer to any one with a large tank. This skimmer can handle 300 to 500 gallon systems easily. My 255 gallon system, seems on the small side for this skimmer. Anyone with a SPS tank who wants CLEAN water, I HIGHLY recomend this skimmer. Anyone who might be brand loyal to a specific brand skimmer, and for good reason cause that brand earned your loyalty, I recomend that you think twice, and look into this skimmer. After all better is better, not a certain brand is better.

 

[sjm817]

fernandokng
Just a branding thing. Its designed by and manufactured by Royal-Exclusiv, but it is not a Bubble King. Its a Vertex. No, it does not say Bubble King on the pump.

BlueStag
Thanks for your review. I agree that anyone considering a cone should be taking a serious look at the SWC. It looks like a great unit.

 

[solitude127]

Great review.
Bluestag: How would you rate the ease of cleaning the body of the skimmer. One thing I liked about the Alpha is that you can take the body off of it's base. With the 1A, is it easy to stick your hand in there and clean? Thanks again for the informative review

 

[tufacody]

That is the only real criticism I have of my 1A. There are some areas towards the bottom that are almost impossible to clean.

 

[Charlie Davidson]

Great review. :thumbsup: Awsome skimmer

 

[BlueStag]

Solitude I haven't cleaned the whole skimmer yet, just the cup. I did take off the bubble plate, which was very easy, and the area inside the bubble plate would be easy to clean. I have cleaned the cup and the acrylic actually cleans much better and easier than PVC. The scum just wipes off the smooth acrylic. There is a small area of the body that looks too tight for a hand to fit in, that would take a brush to clean. But that same area I've never had to clean by hand in other skimmers anyway. I would just soak it in vinegar. I'll let you know more when I get around to cleaning it.

 

[tangtang clown]

WOW!!

 

[BigJay]

BlueStag, have you taken the askoll apart yet? How easy is the pump to disassemble (to clean)? Is it as bad as a sicce pump?

 

[GSMguy]

no they are easier than a sicce because of the screws. Just unscrew and it comes apart.

 

[jamesdawson]

Great review James.

Readers might also be interested to know that SWC is soon bringing to market two new large cones. An 18" base cone and a huge 24" base cone--http://saltwaterconnection.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=85.

No word on the pumps yet but they do show an Askoll 2400 pinwheel on their site now. http://saltwaterconnection.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=79

James

 

[gcarroll]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14990498#post14990498 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
From what I see on this thread, the SWC is ~ 2100 LPH @ 70 - 75W.

Blue Stag,
Were you able to confirm the wattage. Just curious as I feel this might be a future concern. Askoll motors have been nearly bulletproof skimmer pumps in the past, partially due to the low wattage. As the wattage draw and air pull #s go up, so does the heat. As the air pull #s go up the water flow decreases. As the water flow decreases, the cooling ability of the pump decreases. The question for the future is at what point is too much air for the longevity of the pump. Who knows? Only time will tell, but it is good to see someone really doing the R&D to increase needlewheel performance.

 

[sjm817]

Its not the wattage as much as the PF that can kill the pump. The Askoll pump as a water pump pulls more watts than that but has a PF of over .50. When you start getting a PF in the low.4s and high .3s is when you need to be concerned.

 

[gcarroll]

I am aware that it pulls more as a water pump 100 - 115 watts, but that also come with more water for cooling.

Now if that has nothing to do with it and it's all about power factor as you state, what is the power factor of the SWC? Does it remain above .50?

To me, it seems that there may have been some cooling issues/concerns with the Askoll pumps in the past which may be the reason that Royal Exclusiv started drilling anti-lime loops in some of their pumps. I was told that this was done to enhance cooling of the motor due that has been reduced due to the reduced water flow.

 

[sjm817]

The anti lime loop is needed when running the pump external. I'm not sure what the PF of the SWC is. I dont have one of those pumps. I doubt it or any Askoll skimmer pump is above .50. If you can be ~ .47 - .48 or so, that is pretty good.

 

[gcarroll]

Can't the SWC skimmer be run externally?

 

[sjm817]

I dont think so. I believe it is an internal recirc option.

 

[gcarroll]

Thanks Scott.

 

[luther1200]

No I already asked, and he said it couldn't be run externaly.

 

[luther1200]

This was the post after I asked

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14939580#post14939580 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlueStag
The tubing is for a recirculating IN SUMP set up. It allows for you to skim recirculating. Not to be confused with external recirculating.

At this time the Askoll runs hot externally. BK and the Hurricone have worked on an anti lime loop that cools the external pump. I am not aware of SWC offering this option yet. I believe they are working on it though. On one of the pictures you can see a nipple extending from the side of pump volute. I asked about this and was told it was there in case I wanted to drill my own anti-lime loop similar to Hurricones and BK's. So since they planned for it to be there, it must mean they are working on an external pump. This is my opinion though, and you should call MSX or SWC to find out. Running the recirculation in sump allows the pump to run cooler and there is no need for the anti lime loop.

GC I am waiting for the meter still. Jayson at SWC told me he tested my pump prior to shipping and it was getting 75 SCFH on his skimmer body. I'll post my results as soon as it arrives.