SWC MiniHOT initial review
Today, I took some time to get a few photos of the SWC MiniHOT Skimmer, that I purchased from Luke, at Reef Filtrations. I'll also give a limited review, of the skimmer. The only reason it'll be a "limited review" is because I've had it installed for less than 24 hours. Luke was very prompt in communications about this skimmer, and even more prompt in getting it in stock and shipped to me. Thanks Luke!!
Let's cut to the chase, I'm IMPRESSED!!!
Initially, the skimmer arrived, packaged very well, in the SWC factory packaging. However, there wasn't any literature in the box. No directions, no warranty paperwork, nothing. I was slightly disappointed in this. I had to guess, at assembly, but it's fairly straight forward and easily assembled. However, priming it is a bit of a guessing game, without instructions, and I could see how someone could easily burn out the pump, if not familiar with the priming steps. I actually called SWC and they walked me through it. Conveniently, their phone number, both office and cell, are on the box.
I would advise anyone thinking about purchasing this skimmer, once assembled, hang it on the front or side of your tank first. Once it's plugged in, watch the 2 "nuts" that hold the pump assembly in place. If not tight enough, these will leak. More on that, including photos, in a bit.
A note, about the photos. All photos were taken today, shortly after tinkering with it a little bit. Yesterday, within about 2 hours of being installed and plugged in, it was already pulling GUNK. It was wet gunk, but it was also DARK gunk. Today, while tinkering with it, I had set the collection cup a little low, so it was skimming even more wet. Because of this, you'll see a slightly dark skimmate. While taking photos, the collection cup is actually set slightly high. Still figuring out the final adjustments, while the skimmer breaks in. However, I was very pleasantly surprised, yesterday, to empty the cup, which was half full, of dark, nasty, smelly gunk!
Oh another note. These photos were taken, with the skimmer hanging on the front of the tank, to facilitate taking pictures. So, keep that in mind, as you view them. Most of the photos are showing the back of the skimmer.
Overall, the dimensions are 8" wide, by 14" tall (not including the collection cup, which will add more heigth) by 6". The body is only 3 1/2", so you'll only need 3 1/2" between the wall and your tank!
Again, yesterday, this collection cup was half full, with DARK, Smelly, GUNK! In this photo, you'll see a slightly dark, wet skimmate, but that's because of me tinkering with it.
Side View
Top View with lid on collection cup
Lid removed
I'm very impressed, with the build quality and design, however, here's the only complaint I have, though it's not a big complaint.
When assembling the motor, or actually, attaching to motor assembly to the skimmer body, there are 2 nuts that need to be attached and tightened. The area where the pump goes is quite small. It's very difficult to get the nuts tightened and I have small hands...lol.
The opening measures 7 1/8" X 4 1/4". Within this area is the pump, along with the 2 nuts you need to tighten and the air hose. Attach the air hose last. Also, attach one nut, (the left hand one is easiest, FIRST, but don't completely tighten it, then swing the pump into the opening and attach the second nut. Then squeeze a couple of fingers in there to tighten both of them. Then, put a towel on the floor, because as soon as you plug it in, you'll most likely find that you didn't tighten the nuts enough...lol. :doh:
Unplug the skimmer, completely dry the water, that's in the pump opening, tighten the nuts and plug it back in, checking to make sure nothing is leaking.
This process took me 3 tries...lol.
NOW, onto my next complaint, also a small one, but could be critical if you've never operated a skimmer. No instructions and the secret to priming.
If you look closely, at the left hand chamber (viewed from behind), this is the water intake chamber, you'll notice a nipple on the black pipe. This nipple has a rubber cap. When the skimmer is put together and hanging on your tank, UNPLUGGED, fill the skimmer completely up with water, through the center chamber, by removing the collection cup and pouring water into this. Fill the skimmer until water starts to pour out of the output, back into the tank. Now, get a container that holds at least 1/2 gallon of water, I used a gallon pitcher. Remove the rubber cap from the nipple. You'll need to fill that chamber with water, to a level ABOVE that nipple and then, QUICKLY put the cap back on the nipple, while the nipple is still submerged.
Priming the skimmer is a bit tricky. At first, I filled it up with water, and plugged it in. Nothing happened, so I instantly unplugged it. It seems an air pocket gets trapped, inside the pump. Opening that nipple releases the air pocket. BUT, you need to fill above the nipple and recap the nipple, to trap water inside it, to prime the skimmer.
I had to call SWC, to have this explained to me. Without priming this way, someone could easily burn up this pump.
All in all, so far, I'm very impressed with this skimmer and I believe it's going to ROCK! My only complaints are lack of documentation, in the packaging, and the small area where the pump needs to be attached. Neither are a large complaint though.
This skimmer is SILENT!! It comes with a "silencer," but it's not needed. I actually removed it, to see if it made any difference. Nope, still SILENT!!
In the last chamber, there is a black sponge, to trap micro bubbles. There's also a round sponge provided, that can be put on the output pipe, to trap bubbles. I do not have that round sponge installed and NO bubbles are being released into the tank. The design is very good, in that, initially, the water from the pump moves into the left hand chamber, then under and around the center chamber, into the right hand chamber, trapping all bubbles in the left hand chamber. Looking at the right hand chamber, there are NO bubbles, under that sponge, so I'll probably remove it.
