Tired of my SWC 160. Need new skimmer

HowieB · 02/19/2011, 03:58 PM

Hi all. I've had an SWC 160 for almost a year. Everytime I stop it it wont restart. I have to take it apart and spin it by hand, then put it back and cross my fingers. Well now it wont start at all. I'm looking for a good skimmer for a 120 gallon reef for around $300.00. I see the Reef Octopus XS160 for $295.00. Or the SRO-2000 for $349.00. Are these quality units? Any other suggestions? Thanks

jhnnle · 02/19/2011, 04:15 PM

Can you get a different pump? the plumbing might take some work.

HowieB · 02/19/2011, 04:21 PM

Thanks but I don't want to mess with the SWC anymore.

edsreef · 02/19/2011, 04:39 PM

You got a bad pump, that's all. Way too many people, including myself, that have run these trouble free for a while now. You could get a funky pump with an Octo too. I understand your frustration though. Good luck.

fishfanashley · 02/19/2011, 04:43 PM

Don't throw your money away on a new skimmer of the same caliber and get yourself a different pump.

jimrawr · 02/19/2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishfanashley

Don't throw your money away on a new skimmer of the same caliber and get yourself a different pump.

I agree. You have a nice skimmer just replace the part thats not working

westreef · 02/19/2011, 05:09 PM

HowieB,
Do you usually stop the skimmer all the time whenever you mess around with your tank?

bigmatt · 02/19/2011, 05:25 PM

what other pumps can be used? woild a sicce psk2500 work?

Midnightsun · 02/19/2011, 06:24 PM

From everything I have read so far, the Atman 2500 which comes with yours is supposed to be a really great pump. That being said, you may just have something defective on yours. A new atman can be had for as little as $50. If you really want to dump your skimmer with a bad pump, put me first in line for $150.

chimmike · 02/19/2011, 06:43 PM

Try cleaning it in vinegar first? it's not like these are maintenance-free units.

mojo~ · 02/19/2011, 07:23 PM

both the xs 160 and the sro would be great. Had many pms with issues with the atman 2500 and the sicce 2500.

I would go for the super reef octo 2000 int

mojo

JayVIP · 02/20/2011, 11:43 AM

Yeah man, sucks to hear about your pump. I hear SWC skimmers are good skimmers. It really sounds like a faulty impeller or some calcium buildup around it. Do you dose calcium into the same compartment?

mordibv · 02/20/2011, 12:08 PM

I have never had an issue with my lil Atman pump .SWC 120 . Going going on a year in march/ April Why not contact the vendor you got it from ? I am sure they can help or replace it .It's still gotta be under warranty . I had one of the first models out so I know it's under a year .

HowieB · 02/21/2011, 09:57 AM

I only stop the skimmer once every three months or so when I give the sump & skimmer a good cleaning. I empty the skimmer cup and wipe down the neck weekly while the skimmer is running. After looking at skimmer prices this weekend, I think I'll try a new pump first.

mordibv · 02/21/2011, 12:03 PM

Stupid question . Is it the the Exteme or the Cone ? Someone else stated both pumps have issues . Based on no mention of under warranty with no response . I am guessing it's a Sicce 2500 pump .

JayVIP · 02/21/2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mordibv

Stupid question . Is it the the Exteme or the Cone ? Someone else stated both pumps have issues . Based on no mention of under warranty with no response . I am guessing it's a Sicce 2500 pump .

To second this comment, I heard that SWC modded the Sicce 2500 pumps with a mesh impeller that often got stuck. The Sicce 2500 originally came with a pinwheel impeller. That might be the case. You can save some money and change the impeller back to the original pinwheel assembly and it'll probably work as good as new.

HowieB · 02/22/2011, 10:13 AM

I disassembled the skimmer last night and removed the pump. No where on the pump is there a name. How do I tell if it's an Atman or Sicce?

DevilBoy · 02/22/2011, 10:28 AM

the 160 cones come stock with the Atmann 2500 pumps. I am using the same skimmer with no issues at all. I unplug my skimmer once a week during water changes.

rtparty · 02/22/2011, 10:42 AM

Not sure if this will help but I will share anyways.

I got one for the first Bubble Magus NAC6 skimmers when they were released. It used the Atmann 2500 pump. On more than one occasion I fought that pump with restart issues.

I always blamed the pump until one day I figured out it was user error. I wasn't properly seating all the parts on the pump.

It is REALLY hard to explain but I will try.

Take the entire pump apart. Behind the impeller there is a rubber piece that the shaft slides into. That little rubber piece MUST be seated all the way into that hole. I thought mine was seated properly until one day I gave it a little extra push and felt it "suck" into the hole. Be careful though because you can snap the shaft if not careful.

Everything else should go back together very smoothly and easily. I found myself at times having to force the outer cover back on. It should slide right on and twist with little effort.

Hope that helps!

gldnegle76 · 02/22/2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieB

I disassembled the skimmer last night and removed the pump. No where on the pump is there a name. How do I tell if it's an Atman or Sicce?

Google the two and look at the pictures. They look quite different.

gldnegle76 · 02/22/2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

Not sure if this will help but I will share anyways.

I got one for the first Bubble Magus NAC6 skimmers when they were released. It used the Atmann 2500 pump. On more than one occasion I fought that pump with restart issues.

I always blamed the pump until one day I figured out it was user error. I wasn't properly seating all the parts on the pump.

It is REALLY hard to explain but I will try.

Take the entire pump apart. Behind the impeller there is a rubber piece that the shaft slides into. That little rubber piece MUST be seated all the way into that hole. I thought mine was seated properly until one day I gave it a little extra push and felt it "suck" into the hole. Be careful though because you can snap the shaft if not careful.

Everything else should go back together very smoothly and easily. I found myself at times having to force the outer cover back on. It should slide right on and twist with little effort.

Hope that helps!

Good to know Ryan. My atman 2500 makes a "clicking" sound for a few seconds and then comes on normally. Other users have mentioned same thing. Hasn't seemed to affect performance, but over time, who knows. Can you describe your "restart issues"?

02/19/2011, 03:58 PM	#1
HowieB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LaMirada, California Posts: 393	Tired of my SWC 160. Need new skimmer Hi all. I've had an SWC 160 for almost a year. Everytime I stop it it wont restart. I have to take it apart and spin it by hand, then put it back and cross my fingers. Well now it wont start at all. I'm looking for a good skimmer for a 120 gallon reef for around $300.00. I see the Reef Octopus XS160 for $295.00. Or the SRO-2000 for $349.00. Are these quality units? Any other suggestions? Thanks __________________ 120G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 120G Starfire, BRS dosers, Speedwave DC10000II pump, Aquamaxx skimmer, Reefkeeper Elite, 1 Vortech, , MR1 Phosphate reactor, ATI Sunpower 6x54 Last edited by HowieB; 02/19/2011 at 04:19 PM.

02/19/2011, 04:21 PM	#3
HowieB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LaMirada, California Posts: 393	Thanks but I don't want to mess with the SWC anymore. __________________ 120G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 120G Starfire, BRS dosers, Speedwave DC10000II pump, Aquamaxx skimmer, Reefkeeper Elite, 1 Vortech, , MR1 Phosphate reactor, ATI Sunpower 6x54

02/19/2011, 05:09 PM	#7
westreef Lost as usual Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Really California? Posts: 846	HowieB, Do you usually stop the skimmer all the time whenever you mess around with your tank? __________________ Bernie 75g, ATI 4x58wT5 LED Hybrid Powermodule, AquaMaxx ConeS 1, 2xMP40wES, RKL controller, Tunze Osmolator

02/19/2011, 06:43 PM	#10
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	Try cleaning it in vinegar first? it's not like these are maintenance-free units. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

02/19/2011, 07:23 PM	#11
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	both the xs 160 and the sro would be great. Had many pms with issues with the atman 2500 and the sicce 2500. I would go for the super reef octo 2000 int mojo __________________ Mojo~

02/19/2011, 04:15 PM	#2
jhnnle Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 122	Can you get a different pump? the plumbing might take some work.

02/19/2011, 04:39 PM	#4
edsreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 912	You got a bad pump, that's all. Way too many people, including myself, that have run these trouble free for a while now. You could get a funky pump with an Octo too. I understand your frustration though. Good luck.

02/19/2011, 04:43 PM	#5
fishfanashley Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 112	Don't throw your money away on a new skimmer of the same caliber and get yourself a different pump.

02/19/2011, 05:25 PM	#8
bigmatt Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: upstate ny Posts: 193	what other pumps can be used? woild a sicce psk2500 work?

02/19/2011, 06:24 PM	#9
Midnightsun Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 311	From everything I have read so far, the Atman 2500 which comes with yours is supposed to be a really great pump. That being said, you may just have something defective on yours. A new atman can be had for as little as $50. If you really want to dump your skimmer with a bad pump, put me first in line for $150.

02/20/2011, 11:43 AM	#12
JayVIP Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pittsburg, CA Posts: 583	Yeah man, sucks to hear about your pump. I hear SWC skimmers are good skimmers. It really sounds like a faulty impeller or some calcium buildup around it. Do you dose calcium into the same compartment?

02/20/2011, 12:08 PM	#13
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	I have never had an issue with my lil Atman pump .SWC 120 . Going going on a year in march/ April Why not contact the vendor you got it from ? I am sure they can help or replace it .It's still gotta be under warranty . I had one of the first models out so I know it's under a year . __________________ It's hard to take advice from those who do not show the fruits of their labor . Current Tank Info: No tank ATM

02/21/2011, 09:57 AM	#14
HowieB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LaMirada, California Posts: 393	I only stop the skimmer once every three months or so when I give the sump & skimmer a good cleaning. I empty the skimmer cup and wipe down the neck weekly while the skimmer is running. After looking at skimmer prices this weekend, I think I'll try a new pump first. __________________ 120G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 120G Starfire, BRS dosers, Speedwave DC10000II pump, Aquamaxx skimmer, Reefkeeper Elite, 1 Vortech, , MR1 Phosphate reactor, ATI Sunpower 6x54

02/21/2011, 12:03 PM	#15
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	Stupid question . Is it the the Exteme or the Cone ? Someone else stated both pumps have issues . Based on no mention of under warranty with no response . I am guessing it's a Sicce 2500 pump . __________________ It's hard to take advice from those who do not show the fruits of their labor . Current Tank Info: No tank ATM

02/22/2011, 10:13 AM	#17
HowieB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LaMirada, California Posts: 393	I disassembled the skimmer last night and removed the pump. No where on the pump is there a name. How do I tell if it's an Atman or Sicce? __________________ 120G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 120G Starfire, BRS dosers, Speedwave DC10000II pump, Aquamaxx skimmer, Reefkeeper Elite, 1 Vortech, , MR1 Phosphate reactor, ATI Sunpower 6x54

02/22/2011, 10:28 AM	#18
DevilBoy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wooster, Ohio Posts: 1,724	the 160 cones come stock with the Atmann 2500 pumps. I am using the same skimmer with no issues at all. I unplug my skimmer once a week during water changes. __________________ Bare Bottom 90g AGA RR. 2 AI Sol Blue LED Fixtures, SWC 160 cone skimmer. 2 MP40W ES Vortech pumps, 1 MP10W ES Votech pump, Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper Elite, Tunze 1073 internal return pump. 30g custom acrylic sump with refugium. Current Tank Info: 90g AGA RR, custom 30g sump

02/22/2011, 10:42 AM	#19
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Not sure if this will help but I will share anyways. I got one for the first Bubble Magus NAC6 skimmers when they were released. It used the Atmann 2500 pump. On more than one occasion I fought that pump with restart issues. I always blamed the pump until one day I figured out it was user error. I wasn't properly seating all the parts on the pump. It is REALLY hard to explain but I will try. Take the entire pump apart. Behind the impeller there is a rubber piece that the shaft slides into. That little rubber piece MUST be seated all the way into that hole. I thought mine was seated properly until one day I gave it a little extra push and felt it "suck" into the hole. Be careful though because you can snap the shaft if not careful. Everything else should go back together very smoothly and easily. I found myself at times having to force the outer cover back on. It should slide right on and twist with little effort. Hope that helps! __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

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