bubble magus nac7 or swc extreme 160

d-man · 05/09/2010, 06:34 PM

which one? the BM is brand new and $30 less then the used swc 160.

The tank is a 60 cube with 5 fish and light to med corals amounts. But in a few years the tank will be upgraded to a 110 gal or so with a higher load.

Let me know what you guys think.
thanks,
derek

Johnny C · 05/10/2010, 12:13 AM

IMO you won't notice much (if any) difference in performance between the two- the pump is exactly the same and the body is nearly identical. I'd probably go with the SWC-160 because the company has been around longer and is known for making quality skimmers. Either way, you can't go wrong!

808Rob · 05/10/2010, 12:14 AM

I'm looking for a skimmer as well and it had come down to the two you have mentioned as well as a super reef octopus 1000int. I am pushing towards the SWC 160 because it seems easy to take apart and maintain. The cost of the SWC and SRO are exactly the same if you look around but I've seen the BM NAC7 as low as $170. That over $100 less than the other two.
If your planning on upgrading to a 110g (which is what I have), make sure you don't have more than a medium bioload. It seems that everyone has more success when the skimmer is oversized.

808Rob · 05/10/2010, 12:14 AM

I'm looking for a skimmer as well and it had come down to the two you have mentioned as well as a super reef octopus 1000int. I am pushing towards the SWC 160 because it seems easy to take apart and maintain. The cost of the SWC and SRO are exactly the same if you look around but I've seen the BM NAC7 as low as $170. That over $100 less than the other two.
If your planning on upgrading to a 110g (which is what I have), make sure you don't have more than a medium bioload. It seems that everyone has more success when the skimmer is oversized.

WI reefer55 · 05/10/2010, 12:38 PM

I too am having this debate only thing I can rly think of is the (fake)gate valve on the swc and the wedge pipe on the BM

I think I might get the nac7 only be couse its $130 cheaper they have free shipping right now on there site for the nac7

bix · 05/12/2010, 07:41 AM

Hey Guys,

I'm just wondering where you are seeing the NAC7 for cheap?

I've been looking everywhere and can't find one that is available under $220.

bqwertpl · 05/12/2010, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bix

Hey Guys,

I'm just wondering where you are seeing the NAC7 for cheap?

I've been looking everywhere and can't find one that is available under $220.

Good luck finding BM NAC7 for lower than $220!!! Yeah there is a store in China, where U can get it for $170.. but then add shipping and it goes up to $240.. I wish I ordered it when it was actually cheap.. now when the rumor came about BM and how good they are.. PRICES went UP! I just got mine from store in Indy - PremiumA... for $229 plus tax (same state).. and with free shipping.. and ended up with about $246 for skimmer.. good thing, I got it next day at my door

Anyhow.. great skimmer.. and good luck finding it cheap. Nuocean seems to always push the arrival date and it is never in stock.. so I got tired of waiting.. and got it from other place.

mrbigshot · 05/12/2010, 08:39 AM

hes looking at a used 160, not new. same price basically. i paid $165 for my extreme 160 used.

the extreme uses a sicce pump where the bubble magus uses an atman. i would use the extreme with a red demon pinwheel.

ZurichOne95 · 05/12/2010, 08:41 AM

I have an older model of a BM, its great!!! Loads of black oil removed

WI reefer55 · 05/12/2010, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbigshot

hes looking at a used 160, not new. same price basically. i paid $165 for my extreme 160 used.

the extreme uses a sicce pump where the bubble magus uses an atman. i would use the extreme with a red demon pinwheel.

I thought he was looking for the SXC 160 cone?

I have seen one of them used for a almost new price

808Rob · 05/13/2010, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WI reefer55

I too am having this debate only thing I can rly think of is the (fake)gate valve on the swc and the wedge pipe on the BM

I think I might get the nac7 only be couse its $130 cheaper they have free shipping right now on there site for the nac7

This is the site that has the NAC7 listed as $170.
http://www.reefshops.com/

808Rob · 05/13/2010, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bix

Hey Guys,

I'm just wondering where you are seeing the NAC7 for cheap?

I've been looking everywhere and can't find one that is available under $220.

Sorry, wrong quote earlier. I meant to send this quote.
http://www.reefshops.com/

cheers

Reefobsession · 05/13/2010, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny C

IMO you won't notice much (if any) difference in performance between the two- the pump is exactly the same and the body is nearly identical. I'd probably go with the SWC-160 because the company has been around longer and is known for making quality skimmers. Either way, you can't go wrong!

They are not identical, look at the bubble plate on the nac7 compared to the 160. The 160 had amuch larger bubbleplate. The construction on the swc is hands down higher quality than the nac7. Plus the mesh/pinwheel is much better that comes with the 160 as opposed to the mesh impellar on the nac7 which has startup issues.
Get the 160 cone

bix · 05/13/2010, 06:01 AM

Thank you Rob!!

EDIT: I'm in NA so looks like I can't buy from there

Cheapest I've found is 270 delivered... still going to go with it I think since it beats the crap out of anything I can get in my local shop.

Eel-byte · 05/13/2010, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbigshot

hes looking at a used 160, not new. same price basically. i paid $165 for my extreme 160 used.

the extreme uses a sicce pump where the bubble magus uses an atman. i would use the extreme with a red demon pinwheel.

I had a 160 extreme and miss it now. I did the pinwheel and reducer mod ($50), the thing skimmed awesome. No experience with the nac7, nice looking skimmer though.

stanlalee · 05/13/2010, 10:35 AM

the SWC has a better neck/cup transition, better wheel in the atman 2500 and better bubble plate design. they are otherwise simular enough .

808Rob · 05/13/2010, 11:57 PM

could those few differences mean a better skimmer?

stanlalee · 05/14/2010, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808Rob

could those few differences mean a better skimmer?

those differences in all likelyness should make the 160 cone significantly better. the bubble plate and neck transition in particular of the NA7 arent nearly as well designed. there have even been people upgrading their atman powered BMs with SWC bubble plates.

05/09/2010, 06:34 PM	#1
d-man Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Diego, ca Posts: 2,732	bubble magus nac7 or swc extreme 160 which one? the BM is brand new and $30 less then the used swc 160. The tank is a 60 cube with 5 fish and light to med corals amounts. But in a few years the tank will be upgraded to a 110 gal or so with a higher load. Let me know what you guys think. thanks, derek

05/10/2010, 12:13 AM	#2
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	IMO you won't notice much (if any) difference in performance between the two- the pump is exactly the same and the body is nearly identical. I'd probably go with the SWC-160 because the company has been around longer and is known for making quality skimmers. Either way, you can't go wrong! __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau

05/13/2010, 06:01 AM	#14
bix Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 88	Thank you Rob!! EDIT: I'm in NA so looks like I can't buy from there Cheapest I've found is 270 delivered... still going to go with it I think since it beats the crap out of anything I can get in my local shop. Last edited by bix; 05/13/2010 at 06:08 AM.

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05/10/2010, 12:14 AM	#3
808Rob Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 277	I'm looking for a skimmer as well and it had come down to the two you have mentioned as well as a super reef octopus 1000int. I am pushing towards the SWC 160 because it seems easy to take apart and maintain. The cost of the SWC and SRO are exactly the same if you look around but I've seen the BM NAC7 as low as $170. That over $100 less than the other two. If your planning on upgrading to a 110g (which is what I have), make sure you don't have more than a medium bioload. It seems that everyone has more success when the skimmer is oversized.

05/10/2010, 12:38 PM	#5
WI reefer55 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 294	I too am having this debate only thing I can rly think of is the (fake)gate valve on the swc and the wedge pipe on the BM I think I might get the nac7 only be couse its $130 cheaper they have free shipping right now on there site for the nac7

05/12/2010, 07:41 AM	#6
bix Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 88	Hey Guys, I'm just wondering where you are seeing the NAC7 for cheap? I've been looking everywhere and can't find one that is available under $220.

05/12/2010, 08:39 AM	#8
mrbigshot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: mn Posts: 387	hes looking at a used 160, not new. same price basically. i paid $165 for my extreme 160 used. the extreme uses a sicce pump where the bubble magus uses an atman. i would use the extreme with a red demon pinwheel.

05/12/2010, 08:41 AM	#9
ZurichOne95 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Glen Allen Posts: 518	I have an older model of a BM, its great!!! Loads of black oil removed

05/13/2010, 10:35 AM	#16
stanlalee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hampton roads, va Posts: 1,799	the SWC has a better neck/cup transition, better wheel in the atman 2500 and better bubble plate design. they are otherwise simular enough .

05/13/2010, 11:57 PM	#17
808Rob Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 277	could those few differences mean a better skimmer?