Hydor Performer....is it worth it???

I have been looking at skimmers all day and think I finally have settled on the SWC/MSX brand. Looking at either the SWC 300 for ~$450 or as you suggest the 300A for $600. Is the Askoll pump worth the extra $150? It doesn't seem to make it be able to handle an increased bioload.....figuring it is just a better quality pump?

 

You know pumps are pumps. they can make them as big as needed. We all have pond pump motor blocks. The Askoll is a Laguna motor block. SWC makes a custom volute to use it as a needle wheel pump. They are used by several companies including the Rolls Royce of skimmers, Bubble King. They call theirs a Red Draogn.

So it is tried and true. Good quality, good feature and motor protections, and most of all very quiet. You will have a good skimmer without it, I would most definitely get it if you can. 2 Sicces can do 38 scfh with red pin wheels. MSX even made a new suction and a couple companies have maxed out sicce pumps around 38. So that is 74 scfh. A Askoll can do 90-100, no mods needed, is more quiet, and does not have directional start issues. Scicce pumps can start backwards from time to time, and you will have two...... So ya..... it's worth $150 for all that.

 

I like aqua c ev series, and you need no special pump just correct gph requirements need be met.
Ev series get pretty large and are 3 to 7 hundred dollars

 

8" my sump is a 75G black plastic Livestock tub

 

Sorry forgot the qoute in the last post.


My water depth is 8"