SWC Skimmer Upgrade Neccessary?

[Brian Chong]

Hello fellow reefers, I have a heavily stocked 50 gallon sps tank with an 18 gallon sump. Don't quite know what the actual water volume is in my tank but I'm sure it's way less. I have 1 yellow tang, 1 bartletts anthias, 1 allardi's clownfish, 1 6 line wrasse, 1 algae blenny, 1 cleaner shrimp, and 1 hermit crab. I feed my fish 3 or 4 times daily.
I have a SWC 120 that pulls out lots of smelly nasty stuff but just recently, I had a cyano outbreak. My phosphates registered at .08 and some of my sps didn't look as nice as it was before. I couldn't figure it out until I noticed my crocea clam's shell empty! I was thinking about upgrading to a SWC 160 to prevent nutrient spikes from unforseen accidents like this. The SWC 160's bioload is rated as following (150g, (medium)120g, (heavy)90g
SWC 120's bioload is rated as following (light)90g, (medium)70g,
(heavy)55g.
I have been hearing mixed results with the SWC 160. Most complaints about them is that it's too sensitive. Do you guys think the SWC is overkill for my tank and if I use a skimmer that is rated much higher than my tank voluime, will this make the skimmer more sensitive? Are there any other skimmers in this price range that would be more reliable? I apologize for the lengthy post, but I would really appreciate any feedback or advice.
Here is a picture i took a couple of hours ago for reference. The sandbed is also completely filled up with frags as well.

 

[slick6669]

Wow dude sweeeeeet tank!!!!! Ok I'm running a 160 on a 46 gallon tank and it works great it seems like the break in period is longer on the sec skimmers but it's a little annoying because for the first 3 months in my case it wS way too sensitive for my liking but now it's not unless my dumb ato gets stuck on the on position which made me and my tank have a bad weekend...but I think you should go with the 160 just during the break in period go a little lighter on the feeding. But seriously I wanna check out your tank!!!! Lol looks dope!

 

[NVTE]

With all that nice SPS. I will upgrade to something better, like ATB 840 model, not SWC, to save you some headache, and put the piece of mind.

 

[Brian Chong]

Wow dude sweeeeeet tank!!!!! Ok I'm running a 160 on a 46 gallon tank and it works great it seems like the break in period is longer on the sec skimmers but it's a little annoying because for the first 3 months in my case it wS way too sensitive for my liking but now it's not unless my dumb ato gets stuck on the on position which made me and my tank have a bad weekend...but I think you should go with the 160 just during the break in period go a little lighter on the feeding. But seriously I wanna check out your tank!!!! Lol looks dope!

Thanks, that was very helpful. My 120 keeps it's foam head when i feed pellets, flakes, and freeze dried mysis. Does the 160 go crazy everytime you feed ur tank?

With all that nice SPS. I will upgrade to something better, like ATB 840 model, not SWC, to save you some headache, and put the piece of mind.

Whoa, the ATBv2.0 wont fit in my sump and the rating is up to 249g!!!!!!!!! Am i looking at the same atb?

 

[k.tran]

840 is too big unless you are planning an upgrade. Atb micro is what you should get if your going that route.

 

[joesig]

nice frags. do you sell em?

 

[Brian Chong]

840 is too big unless you are planning an upgrade. Atb micro is what you should get if your going that route.

ATB is priced higher than i would like considering the effectivness of the lower end models. I just want a skimmer that's practically hands free like my 120 and pulls out layers of thick smelly gunk.

nice frags. do you sell em?

I don't sell frags. just donate clippings and swap with a few reefers. Are you looking for something in particular?

 

[NVTE]

Thanks, that was very helpful. My 120 keeps it's foam head when i feed pellets, flakes, and freeze dried mysis. Does the 160 go crazy everytime you feed ur tank?


Whoa, the ATBv2.0 wont fit in my sump and the rating is up to 249g!!!!!!!!! Am i looking at the same atb?

Yes ATB 840 model . 2.0 is version of it. I have version 1.5, but Is pulled some serious skimmate. After fooling around with many skimmer, and wasted ton of money, I found ATB or BK is way to go and save some money.

 

[joesig]

nothing in particular, just moved from a jbj 28 to a 60. and it looks pretty empty.

trying to decide which skimmer to get.? I have had the same problem. but no mater what you think you got down, once you go online you find all kinds of problems that others are having. whatever you decide to do let me know its cool. u gotta do what u gotta do. lol
you know.

 

[Brian Chong]

Yes ATB 840 model . 2.0 is version of it. I have version 1.5, but Is pulled some serious skimmate. After fooling around with many skimmer, and wasted ton of money, I found ATB or BK is way to go and save some money.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm sure they are awesome skimmers and probably more consistent in performance than the swc skimmers but i think I'll take my chances with the swc 160

nothing in particular, just moved from a jbj 28 to a 60. and it looks pretty empty.

trying to decide which skimmer to get.? I have had the same problem. but no mater what you think you got down, once you go online you find all kinds of problems that others are having. whatever you decide to do let me know its cool. u gotta do what u gotta do. lol
you know.

Not in the mood to read hundreds of skimmer threads. :thumbdown
I'll hook you up this Wednesday with a frag :thumbsup:

 

[joesig]

lol, thanx for the frag. i get off work at 5:15, i can meet you at age on wednesday, around 540 or you can meet me at my job the wife is working that day so i have to walk there. i work about 2-3 mins away from age. ill call you and work out the little details later.
later guys its almost 1am, that leaves me 5 hrs of sleep.

 

[savethereef]

Good night

 

[slick6669]

Thanks, that was very helpful. My 120 keeps it's foam head when i feed pellets, flakes, and freeze dried mysis. Does the 160 go crazy everytime you feed ur tank?

i love this skimmer hands down especially since i went from an asm mini g to the swc 160! but it has never tripped out on me only when i feed medication in the frozen food but i feed pellets and freeze dried mysis without a problem i know some people have had the skimmer flip out when they feed oyster feast thats all i know for sure but mine doesnt even trip out anymore when i change out the water

 

[solitude127]

As far as sensitivity goes, if you can get your 120 to work, you can definitely get the 160 to work. I really like my 120 but like the 160, it's sensitive to a 1/4" water level change. IMO, it would be worth the upgrade to the 160.

 

[cunningham]

I have a 160 and have been happy with it. Sometimes when to turn it off to do water changes it wont start back up unless you smack it around or dismantle,along with the micro bubbles, those are my two complaints, not saying that happens to all, just mine. I recently bought a used BK mini 200 and have a leak in the collection cup, once that gets fixed I will replace the 160.
Who knows, maybe I will put the 160 back in, I hope not, looking forward to a new skimmer. I have no regrets on the 160, also Age of Aqauriums gives discount to SCRK members, maybe even save a few bucks on it:thumbsup:
Danny

 

[TheWeaz]

I have the same tank as you with the 160. Works great but I have a lot less in my tank than you do.. I think the 160 would work really well for you.

 

[Brian Chong]

i love this skimmer hands down especially since i went from an asm mini g to the swc 160! but it has never tripped out on me only when i feed medication in the frozen food but i feed pellets and freeze dried mysis without a problem i know some people have had the skimmer flip out when they feed oyster feast thats all i know for sure but mine doesnt even trip out anymore when i change out the water

Good to know. My friend gave me his oyster feast but i only use it for acclimating corals for this reason. I have no problems with roti feast though but i never really saw a huge impact on coloration besides more aiptasia, so i never bought another bottle of coral food.

As far as sensitivity goes, if you can get your 120 to work, you can definitely get the 160 to work. I really like my 120 but like the 160, it's sensitive to a 1/4" water level change. IMO, it would be worth the upgrade to the 160.

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking the 160 would be more sensitive because it is rated way higher than for my tank volume.

I have a 160 and have been happy with it. Sometimes when to turn it off to do water changes it wont start back up unless you smack it around or dismantle,along with the micro bubbles, those are my two complaints, not saying that happens to all, just mine. I recently bought a used BK mini 200 and have a leak in the collection cup, once that gets fixed I will replace the 160.
Who knows, maybe I will put the 160 back in, I hope not, looking forward to a new skimmer. I have no regrets on the 160, also Age of Aqauriums gives discount to SCRK members, maybe even save a few bucks on it:thumbsup:
Danny

Yeah, the microbubbles is my only complaint but it's not a big deal since I have a refugium. I believe swc placed a minimum price limit on their skimmers to protect the lfs from online competition so it'll be the same cost with the scrk discount at age. I have one on hold there. Thanks for the tip.

I have the same tank as you with the 160. Works great but I have a lot less in my tank than you do.. I think the 160 would work really well for you.

Good to know. I guess i wasn't sure if it was necessary to upgrade skimmers since I was happy with my tank overall, but it may just be that I may not be missing what I never had. looking forward to seeing how this upgrade will improve the colors and overall health of my tank. Thanks