SWC Mini-S Cone Skimmer Review

[GaryR1984]

Well, I could not find a review on this little guy and a lot of people with SWC skimmers appear to be relatively happy, at least the ones who took time out to post reviews. I decided to buy one and do a quick review on it.

Boxed Up

Sump made for the skimmer.

Pretty happy with the packaging. UPS beat the hell out of the box, but everything was sound.

Closer shot of sump and skimmer in place.

Full shot of new and tank.

Old sump setup.

I just got everything running again. My first thoughts were that the instructions were not very detailed. However, it was easy to put together but for those who are a bit "slower" at assembly, it can be difficult.

The skimmer alone though, is built like a tank, and comes with both a pin and mesh wheel. So far so good. I will take some pics of it now as I dial it in and again in a few hours and then some more from there with some reviews. Let's see what's in my tank.

So far I'm happy but the true test is yet to come.

 

[maddog2002]

thanks you! Keep us informed...

That is the one I am planning on getting.

 

[GaryR1984]

Sure will, I got a few pics but will be posting them in the morning after I wake up and take more.

 

[GaryR1984]

That's a pic on the third morning. Will take a few more pictures as the days go by. So far so good.

Stopped adjusting it the same night.

 

[Doahh]

How well should this work on a heavy stocked 90 gallon SPS tank?

 

[GaryR1984]

Should work as well as it's working for me if not better. I'm also using the Pin Wheel, it comes with both. I like it thus far.

 

[herozero]

UPS banged the hell out of my SWC HOB too. I think they build them like a tank for the shipping process.

Thanks for the review. How is your tank stocked?

 

[GaryR1984]

I have a 70g with a 30g sump, I feed only two or three times a week, very little food. I have a pair of clown, a blenny, and a mandarin. I got a dozen or so SPS, and a few softies with my collection of Chalices. Add two favias and a couple Acans and that's about it.

 

[Doahh]

Did you purchase this from Premium Aquatics at the closeout price?

 

[GaryR1984]

yes

 

[Paulairduck]

looks like a pretty big mini

 

[mojo~]

Yes, This think isnt mini at all. I did a review on this a while back. It is much large than expected. It is really comparable to the msx 200. I just didnt like the big step at the neck. From the top of the cone to the neck of the skimmer their is a pretty big step. wish it was a more smooth transition. You can see this in the 5th pic down.

How deep are you running it. I they after running mine for a while it really needed to be around 9 to 10 inches for it to start to run really well. anything below 8 inches and the water created too much head pressure.

Good luck with the skimmer. I was amazed at the size for a "mini".
Nice Job so far. keep it up!

Mojo.

 

[maddog2002]

Mojo:
I can not find your review for this.
How is this vs ATB 840 ?

 

[Doahh]

iWant now

 

[GaryR1984]

I could not find the review either.

I agree it's HUGE for a so called "Mini". I currently run it in 8 inches of water. So far so good.

 

[maddog2002]

If the performance of this as near as ATB 840 (or Alpha 170).

This would be very good choose. save space and money.

How is build quality of this cone?

 

[fufu]

How is the noise? I hate loud skimmers.

 

[cobbobby]

Drop it in 10" and your going to get 5-10scfh more. Marine solutions had it pulling 40scfh in 10" water.

 

[GaryR1984]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15663205#post15663205 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by maddog2002
If the performance of this as near as ATB 840 (or Alpha 170).

This would be very good choose. save space and money.

How is build quality of this cone?

The cone is one solid piece of very thick stuff. A+ on the build.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15663276#post15663276 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fufu
How is the noise? I hate loud skimmers.

Mines near dead silent. I used to use a Tunze 9010. This one is quieter and since I use a open iron stand I needed the quiet factor.

 

[mojo~]

I did not get the near the same performance but Idid not run it at 10 inches. I only had room in the sump to go up to 9 without having issues. But it was ok. The only thing i didnt like was the step in the neck. Other than that it was ok.I just didnt think it was worth the increase over the msx 200. it does have the ability to pull a little more air at higher water levels but that is because it has less volume to create head pressure.