SWC 200 Skimmer Review

So I met up with the new SWC skimmer distributor out of Colorado. Decided to give the 200 a test drive. Got home and unpacked. The sheet you see is the instructions. Not much, but all you really need.


Large image:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/free2801/swc2001-Copy.jpg

All the parts are labeled, and it is easy to assemble. There is a plug if you do not use the cup drain, or a thin hose to run to a collection cup. I don't use one. The thick silicone hose is for the air line to the pump. The silicone is a nice touch.

First impressions were that is is a quality build and put together very clean. For the price and construction, I simply do not see any reason to go any lower on the budget scale.







The CNC'd cup lid is another nice touch.

The skimmer uses the tried and true Sicce PSK 2500. This pump is very efficient, pulls good air/water ratio, easily modded, and very reliable.



The pump is hard mounted to the body with supplied fittings. I was a bit concerned with the pump when I plugged it in. It was quite loud. Like jack hammer loud. But it quieted down just like the Sicce on my other skimmer. I decided to use my old pump for testing since I knew it's performance. It has a Warner Marine reducer and a "Red Demon" pin wheel.





As you can see the pins are longer, but the wheel diameter is smaller. People are consistently pulling 38 scfh on their skimmers with this wheel. It is comparable to the "Purple" pin wheel, but has no start up issues.

So I got it all put together. In with the new, out with the old... temporarily.



My Warner Marine K2 is quite sizable, but the SWC 200 has a smaller foot print due to it being a cylinder.

Operation.... I had to call SWC for recommendations since there is not much info in the box. The recommended depth is 8-10 inches. My sump is set for ten and I decided to run it there since it is so big. It really is over sized for my 90g tank, so I wanted to run it a bit wet.

The wedge pipe is sealed with a silicone o-ring. So it moves smoothly and is easily adjustable. It has marks for reference. I can do what I want with the water level.

There is plenty of air hose to reach anywhere. The cup fits in the body easily and again is sealed with a silicone o-ring. I will find out soon enough how easy it is to remove.

The body is pretty turbulent, but so was my other cylinder skimmer. The bubble plate does a good job of redirecting the swirling water in the chamber. The water level inside is up pretty high, close to the neck.





It has been running now for 6 days and is starting to do its job. Took the normal amount of time to break in like every other skimmer. It will produce in a day or two, but it really takes a good week to settle in. Here is the gratuitous nog shot.



Overall impressions... I am actually quite surprised at the build quality at this price point. All the silicone, CNC, features... actually quite nice. I like the fact the pump is hard mounted. It is easy to take on and off. Mine has a silicone sleeve, so the pump needs a stand. However, it also transmits less vibes to the body and therefore it is quieter. While the Sicce is not noisy, it does hum a bit more than my other one.

The chamber is huge and lots of air. Right now at 10", I'm getting 28 scfh. Thats with my old pump. On my K2 it will do 35 scfh, but it has much less volume and head pressure due to the cone. Head pressure has a big effect on air draw. I'm also running it wet.

Right now I'm pretty impressed. I just wanted to get this started, but I'm not finished. I will run it at 8", and I will also put on the stock pump and get some numbers for that. After another week it should be performing well and I will have an idea of what it is producing compared to my K2.

Disclaimer.... The air draw number given are not actual. Altitude has the same effect on skimmers as it does on engines. There is 20% less air here, and I get 20% less air through my skimmer. This is well documented. So for everyone else, these numbers are good, and Sicce pumps are heavily tested. For us Coloradoans... take 20% off and that's what you will be getting. My actual readings are 11-12 lpm, and my K2 is 14 lpm. That is 23 and 29 scfh respectively.

Final notes..... The balance was good. What I expected from a Sicce powered skimmer. The neck is not too big for the pump at 4 1/8". I was getting a little less air draw than I expect because I had to run the water level up a bit. My 90g didn't give it much work to do.

Adjustments were nice and smooth with the o-ring on the wedge pipe. Very little adjustments were needed and this was very consistent like I have come to expect from needle wheel skimmers. Set and forget.

Personally, a 90g is a small a tank I would put this on, and that would be heavily stocked. the Extreme 160 would be a better match for a tank that small. The Extreme 200 works good out of the box. Put the Red Demon pin wheel on from Warner Marine, cut the air line to length, and possibly get a larger tube, and you will be getting the most out of the Sicce PSK 2500.

Can't be beat for $289.

 

very nice writeup. thank you. i am actually on another site right now reading about these same skimmers. im torn between this and a vertex at the moment

 

Which one and for what tank.

 

SWC Xtreme 200
Vertex IN-180

75gal DT with a 40 gal sump/fuge and potentially a 20gal frag tank on one system

 

I'm not so sure you would need a 200. Probably the Mini s or the 160. A Sicce can handle your system, but I don't think you need this size of body. I will see in the next few days, but my 90g w/ 60g sump/fuge does not really give it much. Total I only have 105 actual gallons. I would think you would come out with a similar number w/ the frag tank.

You would still have the Sicce, but you would have a bit more efficiently sized body to your system.

 

You know, I might have to take a closer look. The neck is 4 1/8" on a quick look. That is actually good. The 200 might work for you. I need to ask "mikejrice" wha the neck is on the 160. Mike...

 

Nice review! I cant wait till the 120 extreme cones are available, do you have any opinions on the atman pumps?

~Will.

 

I have not heard many bad things about them. I have not played with one though. As for the 120 and 160, I really think they hit a good place in the market. Good cones for less than 90g. I think they will be a hit.

 

and how much is it?

 

Nice write up...Hope you enjoy the skimmer!