Skimmer???? Advice or Opinions Please

[colin779]

So i am looking for a new skimmer, and I'm attempting to stay in the $200-$250 range. I was looking at the Reef Octopus NWB-150. I was also looking at the SWC Xtreme 160 Cone skimmer. As far as pump and build quality which is better? I haven't been able to find anything directly comparing the two. I was also curious if the extra $80 is worth it for the SWC skimmer.

This skimmer will be for my 90g tank. Currently I'm leaning more towards the Reef Octopus (it is a new version that is more of a cone design) unless someone has something really good to sway me towards the SWC.

 

[epicenter]

I am no skimmer expert but I ended up getting a SWC 250A & never recreated it. mojo on reef2reef is a great one to ask about this. Good luck

 

[mfinn]

We also have our own skimmer expert,,, skimmy.

Here is a link to his forum,,, here.


http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f217/

 

[Skimmy]

hola!!
well, i would say that the SWC 160 cone is better than the NWB-150,
the 160 cone gives you 700lph air injection @ 27 watts, is dead quiet, super easy to adjust and dial in,
pretty hard to beat for $275. The otp 2000 pump on the NWB-150 gets about 450 lph air injection @ 35watts.
also, I'd take an atmann brand pump(SWC) over the OTP pumps octo uses on the NWB models any day.

also, the SWC bmk 150 is also 700lph air @27 watts, (same pump as 160)) just a cylinder instead of a cone, and only $195,
straight up the best sub $200 skimmer on the market, and would be great for your 90g as well.

octopus skimmers are still pretty good, if u bought one, im fairly certain you'd be pretty happy,
i just prefer SWC because i think the design features, pumps, and customer service is better,
hence why i choose that brand to sell, as well.
for sure there are better skimmers on the market if you want to spend a bunch of dough,
but I like the economy pricing of SWC versus the power, build quality and features you get.
here's the 2 skimmers on my buddy's website, im out of stock on those models ATM;
SWC Cone
SWC150 BMK
luke at reefiltration offers excellent customer service!

 

[colin779]

Awesome! Thanks for the advice. So my next question is now is there a significant difference between the bmk 150 and the 160 cone? I guess i'm just curious if there is a $80 difference in production or is the cone the newer technology?

 

[Bosco83]

What skimmer did you end up with? We are looking for a new skimmer for my wife's tank and I'm leaning towards the swc150bmk at the moment.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[colin779]

I ended up going with the SWC 160 cone, I love it so far =)

 

[Krish]

I moved the thread into the skimmer forum, but left a temporary re-direct for you.

 

[Bosco83]

We ended up getting her the SWC150 since her tank is only 60 gallons. Even though I already have an SWC180 cone on my tank and knew what to expect we were still surprized of what a nice skimmer it is for $200.

Brian

 

[Frankie]

Yep, for the money that skimmer is great. The body alone would cost more to build then buy. What pump came with that skimmer? the great thing I like about this skimmer is the ability to mod it in the future. Did this one come with a gate valve or is it that turning stand pipe thing?

 

[colin779]

Nice, I heard a lot of good things about that skimmer as well. Gald you're happy with it.