SWC 1A Cone skimmer review

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15046871#post15046871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangtang clown
1500_cone_PF1.jpg
Click to expand...

You are all wrong. He is using an Mexican made meter.
ESO is spanish for "this".

:rollface: :rollface: :rollface: :p :rollface: :rollface: :rollface: [/B][/QUOTE]


Correction mi amigo, ESO means "that", and ESTO means "this".
Spanish lesson for the day, :D.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15026318#post15026318 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlueStag
Greg I did have the skimmer set low. I was testing it lower on purpose. Here is a picture of how low it was set, taken right after feeding. It really is amazing that this pump is that powerful that the foam is able to climb that high. You got to get one of these.
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I do have a new frag tank on the way and this skimmer might just be auditioning for a new job.
 
Well I took out the pump to glue the union permanantly to it. The pvc glue killed the foam head for almost a day or two.

My water seems clearer than it's ever been. And I've noticed some pink zoas that had browned out, are starting to color up again. Maybe from the skimmer catching up with my bio-load, maybe I had a little to much nutrients in the water column, before buying this skimmer. I'm going to have to monitor those zoas.
I've always had little tufts of green hair algae, that always kind of stayed around. They are starting to turn a little white. A couple of my favia are starting to show feeding tentacles during the day, which they have never done before. There is some interesting changes going on with my tank, that happened after getting this skimmer. It's making an impact on the water quality for sure.

Here are some more nog shots for you sickos who enjoy this stuff.
Can't stand the smell, so I'm going to be emptying it today.

001-1.jpg


009-3.jpg


003-3.jpg
 
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Here is a link to MSX testing the Askoll pump on another skimmer body. They get a PF reading of .50 to .51 on this test, and it's pulling 80+ SCFH (2200-2300 LPH). Not the same skimmer body, but the same pump. It really shows how this pump is resetting the standard. SWC / MSX is not just a contender anymore. I belive this has set the bar very high for skimmer manufacturers. :eek1:

http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/catalog/pages.php?pID=20&CDpath=10
 
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Holy skimmate batman! I bet the stink of that stuff is bad enough to strip your eyebrows clear off your face!

My wife would have made me empty the cup after the first day.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15052388#post15052388 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlueStag
Here is a link to MSX testing the Askoll pump on another skimmer body. They get a PF reading of .50 to .51 on this test, and it's pulling 80+ SCFH (2200-2300 LPH). Not the same skimmer body, but the same pump. It really shows how this pump is resetting the standard. SWC / MSX is not just a contender anymore. I belive this has set the bar very high for skimmer manufacturers. :eek1:

http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/catalog/pages.php?pID=20&CDpath=10
Click to expand...
Interestingly enough, I'm getting pretty much the exact same LPH/wattage/PF on my MSX250 with the old grey volute pump.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=15046462#post15046462
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15052388#post15052388 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlueStag
Here is a link to MSX testing the Askoll pump on another skimmer body. They get a PF reading of .50 to .51 on this test, and it's pulling 80+ SCFH (2200-2300 LPH). Not the same skimmer body, but the same pump. It really shows how this pump is resetting the standard. SWC / MSX is not just a contender anymore. I belive this has set the bar very high for skimmer manufacturers. :eek1:

http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/catalog/pages.php?pID=20&CDpath=10
Click to expand...

2 that.. :)
 
I have the S2 version of this skimmer, and it pulls the nastiest crap I have ever smelled! Here are some pictures from my S2:

475058348_49NRi-L.jpg


4 days later:
478553647_y2srZ-L.jpg


THis skimmate STINKS SO BAD it is AWFUL!!!! Way worse then the MRC Beckett skimmer it replaced.

Same day, just no flash:
478553830_cAt72-L.jpg


Now the bad news.... I HATE the Sicce Pumps! They sound like can openers on some days, silent the next. I have cleaned them, changed the impellars out for each other, changed the ceramic shafts.... I have been reefing for about 10 years, and have never had a less reliable pump either. :( One of the 2 refuses to start after power out, I have to move the motor block back and forth to get it to go.

I am not bashing the SKIMMER performance because it ROCKS when both pumps are running, the design, the workmanship, the seamless cone, all are SOLID as a rock, it is the darn Sicce pump that is the weak link in my opinion. Maybe I am missing something simple, but I am still a very happy customer with the overall performance and value of the skimmer.
 
Anyone here using it as a external

Anyone here using it as a external

Thanks for all the reviews fellow reefers. It has been very helpful for a person like me that is in the market ro buy a new skimmer.

I hope someone here can chime in that is running the MSX1A as a external. I love the room in my sump and would love to see the performance on this skimmer as a recirc.

Push comes to shove, I guess I can lose the spot I had for the fuge and just run one insump. Man do I love the nice snug footprint of these powerful skimmers!

ANYONE?!?! Please chime in with feedback and pics
Thanks!
 
"Now the bad news.... I HATE the Sicce Pumps! They sound like can openers on some days, silent the next. I have cleaned them, changed the impellars out for each other, changed the ceramic shafts.... I have been reefing for about 10 years, and have never had a less reliable pump either. One of the 2 refuses to start after power out, I have to move the motor block back and forth to get it to go."

Dog, I know what you mean.. I think many have a love /hate thing with this pump! It, is the first pump , I ran across that does such a great job at mixing so much air at so little wattage used :thumbsup: It is truly a quircky little pump. I run a laguna (askoll) now but the "sickee" ;) holds a not soon to be equaled spot in my thoughts..
 
Lets get back on track. This model skimmer is a IN SUMP skimmer. Just like any other IN SUMP skimmer, except the part where this thing works amazing(most other skimmers can't say that!). It wasn't intended to run external. So when run in sump, it runs efficient and as COOL as most water pumps.

It does offer a recirculation feature that is nice, because if attached to the overflow, it will theoritically clean all the water in your tank, with no water missing the skimmer. It will also theoritically skim out hard to skim proteins through the recirculation and longer contact time. This is a nice added bonus, that most other skimmers do not offer. Because of this nice bonus, there is some confusion. This model is a IN SUMP skimmer.

*Note. As with all most all IN SUMP model skimmers of all brands, asking if it can run externally, would cause pump heat questions. And would point towards irresponsible usage of the skimmer by the user. But that of course won't stop a few curious Georges, and I know of only one person that has run the older model(grey volute) externally, and he has found that he needed to cool the pump. He has done so by using a fan. He claims for it to work successfully. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing so, I'd be worried about long term pump problems. The manufacturer suggest, that this pump be used IN SUMP. I am sure they are working on a external model, but at this time I have not seen it available on their web site. Probably any further questions on how to make it run externally would belong on the DIY forum, because there are ways to make it run cooler externally, with a little DIY work. Another place to find out more info would be direct from SWC or MSX by email. This is after all a skimmer review of a IN SUMP skimmer.
 
Blue,
My apologies. When I was looking at the skimmer and reading about it I assumed it could be used as a external recirculating skimmer. I would like to thank you for clearing it up.
 
im building a 60 gallon tank thats going to be loaded with sps and a few fish and i heard swc skimmers are beast and was wondering if they are quiet?
 
The pump is extremely quiet. Of all the pumps that I have ever used, this is the quietest of them all. It really is a pleasure after having some noisy pumps in the past. So far in every category that I can think of, this pump gets two thumbs up. I know I've said this once or twice before, this pump is amazing. It's quiet, powerful, pulls an incredible amount of air, runs fairly low in wattage. I can't say enough about this pump.
 
He is reviewing a 1A cone skimmer with an Askoll pump. The 160 and 200 use Sicce pumps. An MSX160 would be overkill for a 60G.
 
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