Down to 2

After taking too long to decide on Powermans K2 skimmer I have my choice narrowed down to 2.

Super Reef Octopus XP-2000

SWC Extreme Mini S Cone

If anyone can help me choose or uses either of these and would like to tell me why they like or dislike these skimmers your help would be appreciated.
I know the sicce has startup issues but I usually keep my skimmer running unless I am doing a full cleaning so I dont think this will be much of a problem.

 

Sorry.... I bought Powerman's K2... beat you to it!

I bought it to get rid of my Super Reef Octopus XP-2000. Some folks have had good luck with the Super Reef Octopus XP-2000. I bought it based on the reviews I read here and elsewhere. I found a few things that I really didn't like.

1) The acrylic broke easily. I have tile floor where my tank is. I dropped the collection cup cover and it broke. Another time I dropped the silencer, it broke.

2) The skimmer was INCREDIBLY sensitive to water level. ANY fluctuation and it would overflow. I struggled getting to work non-stop.

In the end, I grew to dispise the thing. Hence, my upgrading to the K2. WIth the K2, I put it in.... the only problem I had was cramming it in my sump. I have it in less space than they say it'll fit in. Once I got it situated, it works great.

Had I not bought the K2, I was going to buy the SWC Extreme Mini S Cone..... it is the same pump so I honestly thought it was better for the price, but Powerman is someone I trust, so I spent the extra cash on the K2. I never would've bought the K2 new, but chose to used mostly because I trusted Powerman.

SO.... I'd strongly advise the SWC Extreme Mini S Cone.

M

 

Thanks for the advise I was curious as to why you got rid of the xp_2000. I was thinking the mini s would give me similar results as the k2 without the new price tag.

 

My math was as follows...

a) SWC = $380 - $200 (Sales price of the XP-2000 used) = $180...
b) K2 = $465 - $200 = $265.

So I am only worrying about an $85 difference. One is new, the other <1year used. Same pumps. Original value $700 for the K2 versus $380 for the SWC. I can't see why the K2 is worth that much more, but just in case there is "hidden" value... and since I trust Powerman... okay... spend the $85.

I would've been perfectly happy with the SWC had you beat me to it.

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Second thing... the pump on the XP2000 vs the K2/SWC pump.... the K2/SWC pump is MUCH quieter. Dramatically quieter.

Hope that all helped....

M

 

Yes it has helped. A the way I see it is either one of those skimmers should perform better than my ev-180. I think my mind is set on the swc

 

Glad to help.

M