SWC 150 BMK Review/Chronical...*Lots of Pics*

After much deliberation I decided to go with the SWC 150 BMK for my 65g. I needed something with some power and a smaller footprint this fit perfect...6.5" x 8". The build quality looks excellent and everything fits together perfectly. Disassemble is a breeze. It literally took me about a minute to fully disassemble...it is all fastened together with nylon screws notched to be turned by hand.



I ordered it for Luke at reeffiltration. He provided prompt and good communication. I would not hesitate to call him again.

Here are the pics:

The packaging was excellent. There was a larger box packed with peanuts containing the SWC box showing. The skimmer fit snugly inside the dense foam lined box.




Here is a pic of the atman 2500 pump (same as SWC Cone 160 and Bubble Magnus NAC6) and the bubble plate.




Here is the collection cup. It only requires 1/5" to remove.




The adjustment knobs:




The assembled Skimmer:



In action for the first time:





This is my first skimmer so if anyone has any break in recommendations, such as water lever, that would be welcome.

I will be updating this thread as it breaks in and hopefully be showing off some nice skimmate.
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great write up and review Ellis Juan

please keep us informed about performance etc

Steve

 

Thanks. I could not find a lot of information of this skimmer when I was shopping. I figured this might be helpful for others researching skimmers. I think this skimmer is flying a little under the radar at only $200, a small footprint, and rated at 100G with heavy bioload.

I will be updating everything as it breaks in and I get it tuned in.

 

Here is an updated pic. I rotated the output to make sure the glass did not interfere and as you can see the bubble level has risen.
How do I know when the skimmer is broken in? It has been running for about 15 hrs and the bubble level has risen about 2 inches. It is now almost to the base where the collection cup attaches to the skimmer.

 

When the bubbles climb all the way up the chamber- hit the underside of skimmer cup and then flow down outside the chamber into the cup itself

or when the bubbles crawl over the top of the chamber and flow down into the cup

dont worry if that does not happen for the next couple of days

it will happen, IMHO , its just a matter of time

Steve

 

The skimmer will produce skimate pretty quick... but it always takes a good week for a skimmer to "break in". It will not settle down and get consistent until then.

 

Thanks for all the tips! I have not been home all day and am interested to see where the bubble level will be.

 

I have skimmate. After 36 hrs, and no adjustments from the break-in settings, this is what I found in the collection cup:



It is pretty dark, but pretty wet/watery. Will it thicken up with the current settings? Or does anyone have any adjustment recommendations?

 

That looks pretty good for 1st round! I'd leave it. I bet it thickens up if you let it fill for a bit, it not - that is still nice.

 

Nice skimmer for the price. Keep us updated!