Swc 120 or swc 160

reefwisher · 02/24/2011, 11:43 PM

I am setting up a 40 breeder tank with a 20 long refugium. I am wanting to get either the SWC 120 or the SWC 160. I know the 120 will work good but like to have the 160 but don't want to overkill it and not having the 160 producing skimmate as well as it should. Would it be better to stay with the 120 or will the 160 work well? Planning on having 4-6 fish (clowns and firefish) and lots of mushrooms and ricordeas and 1 clam.

Saltwatercoral2 · 02/24/2011, 11:45 PM

I to plan this same exact setup, just not sure what skimmer to get, such a difficult decision. Can I ask what lighting your going with?

weidjd · 02/24/2011, 11:47 PM

I got a 58 with similar size sump and looking for a skimmer. The 160 seems very popular. I just dont know if I need that much.

reefwisher · 02/25/2011, 12:00 AM

I am going with a 4 bulbs T-5 2-10,000K daylight 1-420nm actinic 1-460nm actinic. The price between the 2 skimmer is'nt that much, but don't want a big overkill.

Saltwatercoral2 · 02/25/2011, 12:01 AM

which fixture?

reefwisher · 02/25/2011, 12:15 AM

Nova Extreme

rhkingsfan · 02/25/2011, 12:59 AM

I just got my SWC 160 and i think it would be overkill for your tank. Gotta admit though, the skimmer seems pretty flimsy and I'm kinda disappointed.

Dyraxe · 02/25/2011, 01:36 AM

I used a 160 on a 45 tech tank and it was WAY over kill, get the 120 IMO. It worked but it was overkill.

I totally disagree rhkingsfan the SWC 160 is rock solid, and I still think SWC is one of the best you can buy in any category. Save your money and get what just plain works buy SWC. I have owned 4 now fyi.

stangd1909 · 02/25/2011, 02:41 AM

The SWC is rock solid IMO. It's a great skimmer, with a 40 gallon I would go with the SWC 120.

evsalty · 02/25/2011, 02:50 AM

Got the 120 rockin in my 20l sump under my 40br and it works great. I only have 3 fish at the moment but I certainly have room for more bioload. I was considering getting the 160 but for me I did not have the clearance to fit the 160 under my plumbing. I am super happy with my 120 though so no regrets here on the size choice.

Reefnut2010 · 02/25/2011, 03:10 AM

Go with the 120 for better performance. 160 would be to much. I own a 180 cone and finally got it tuned in. Pulls a ton of crap out of my 125g Reef with 35g sump. My bio load is ridiculous, but all is well thus far. These skimmers are well built and balanced IMO.

kellerexpress · 02/25/2011, 06:24 AM

I would use a 120 unless you plan on upgrading sometime in the future, then I would get the 160. A friend o mine has a 120 on a 40 breeder and it works awesome.

mordibv · 02/25/2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhkingsfan

I just got my SWC 160 and i think it would be overkill for your tank. Gotta admit though, the skimmer seems pretty flimsy and I'm kinda disappointed.

Is it a cone or the other model.? It can get confusing sometimes .. I have the 120 Cone and it's solid .

lOOK AT THE PIC I POSTED IN THIS THREAD

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1982065

gldnegle76 · 02/25/2011, 10:08 AM

Well, just to make the OP's decision a little harder, I have the 160 cone on a 46/20 setup and it pulls some serious skimmate with a medium bioload. There are several others with smaller systems using the 160. However, I think the 120 would be a better fit for these size systems.

rhkingsfan...what do you mean by flimsy? I've never heard that before about the 160 or the 120.

solitude127 · 02/25/2011, 11:20 AM

What's the TWV going to be? I could have a 40g breeder and fill it to the brim with live rock and technically only have 10g of water in there.

jt_milstead · 02/25/2011, 11:27 AM

You will over skim that tank with the 160, stripping all nutrients out of your reef.

reefwisher · 02/25/2011, 01:07 PM

I am going to go with the SWC 120. From all the input, I think it will work the best for performace. Can't wait to get it!

weidjd · 02/25/2011, 02:24 PM

Great Input. I was looking at the 160 but if its way overkill I am going with the 120 for my 58.

Saltwatercoral2 · 02/25/2011, 02:37 PM

wheres the best price for the 120? anyone know of any coupon codes at the places that have it

evsalty · 02/25/2011, 05:04 PM

I got mine off of the one seller on ebay. It was $219 shipped.

sneaton · 02/25/2011, 05:12 PM

big als...use "nanoreef" coupon code.. 200 shipped

SWINGRRRR · 02/25/2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneaton

big als...use "nanoreef" coupon code.. 200 shipped

The coupon or promotion code entered has expired.

Old news.

Saltwatercoral2 · 02/25/2011, 05:24 PM

ya i was goin to say that coupon code didnt work for me

sneaton · 02/25/2011, 06:40 PM

dam

mordibv · 02/25/2011, 11:24 PM

Luke @ RF midwest dude . good to deal with

02/24/2011, 11:43 PM	#1
reefwisher Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 402	Swc 120 or swc 160 I am setting up a 40 breeder tank with a 20 long refugium. I am wanting to get either the SWC 120 or the SWC 160. I know the 120 will work good but like to have the 160 but don't want to overkill it and not having the 160 producing skimmate as well as it should. Would it be better to stay with the 120 or will the 160 work well? Planning on having 4-6 fish (clowns and firefish) and lots of mushrooms and ricordeas and 1 clam.

02/25/2011, 01:36 AM	#8
Dyraxe Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,606	I used a 160 on a 45 tech tank and it was WAY over kill, get the 120 IMO. It worked but it was overkill. I totally disagree rhkingsfan the SWC 160 is rock solid, and I still think SWC is one of the best you can buy in any category. Save your money and get what just plain works buy SWC. I have owned 4 now fyi. Last edited by Dyraxe; 02/25/2011 at 01:41 AM.

02/25/2011, 02:41 AM	#9
stangd1909 GO NOLES! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 622	The SWC is rock solid IMO. It's a great skimmer, with a 40 gallon I would go with the SWC 120. __________________ GO NOLES! 300 GALLON FOWLR BUILD IN PROGRESS

02/25/2011, 11:20 AM	#15
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	What's the TWV going to be? I could have a 40g breeder and fill it to the brim with live rock and technically only have 10g of water in there. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

02/25/2011, 11:24 PM	#25
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	Luke @ RF midwest dude . good to deal with __________________ It's hard to take advice from those who do not show the fruits of their labor . Current Tank Info: No tank ATM

02/24/2011, 11:45 PM	#2
Saltwatercoral2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,617	I to plan this same exact setup, just not sure what skimmer to get, such a difficult decision. Can I ask what lighting your going with?

02/24/2011, 11:47 PM	#3
weidjd Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 169	I got a 58 with similar size sump and looking for a skimmer. The 160 seems very popular. I just dont know if I need that much.

02/25/2011, 12:00 AM	#4
reefwisher Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 402	I am going with a 4 bulbs T-5 2-10,000K daylight 1-420nm actinic 1-460nm actinic. The price between the 2 skimmer is'nt that much, but don't want a big overkill.

02/25/2011, 12:01 AM	#5
Saltwatercoral2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,617	which fixture?

02/25/2011, 12:15 AM	#6
reefwisher Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 402	Nova Extreme

02/25/2011, 12:59 AM	#7
rhkingsfan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Glendale Posts: 696	I just got my SWC 160 and i think it would be overkill for your tank. Gotta admit though, the skimmer seems pretty flimsy and I'm kinda disappointed.

02/25/2011, 02:50 AM	#10
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	Got the 120 rockin in my 20l sump under my 40br and it works great. I only have 3 fish at the moment but I certainly have room for more bioload. I was considering getting the 160 but for me I did not have the clearance to fit the 160 under my plumbing. I am super happy with my 120 though so no regrets here on the size choice.

02/25/2011, 03:10 AM	#11
Reefnut2010 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Gabriel Valley, Ca Posts: 427	Go with the 120 for better performance. 160 would be to much. I own a 180 cone and finally got it tuned in. Pulls a ton of crap out of my 125g Reef with 35g sump. My bio load is ridiculous, but all is well thus far. These skimmers are well built and balanced IMO.

02/25/2011, 06:24 AM	#12
kellerexpress Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 504	I would use a 120 unless you plan on upgrading sometime in the future, then I would get the 160. A friend o mine has a 120 on a 40 breeder and it works awesome.

02/25/2011, 10:08 AM	#14
gldnegle76 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Madison, MS Posts: 517	Well, just to make the OP's decision a little harder, I have the 160 cone on a 46/20 setup and it pulls some serious skimmate with a medium bioload. There are several others with smaller systems using the 160. However, I think the 120 would be a better fit for these size systems. rhkingsfan...what do you mean by flimsy? I've never heard that before about the 160 or the 120.

02/25/2011, 11:27 AM	#16
jt_milstead Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Poway Ca.(San Diego) Posts: 951	You will over skim that tank with the 160, stripping all nutrients out of your reef.

02/25/2011, 01:07 PM	#17
reefwisher Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 402	I am going to go with the SWC 120. From all the input, I think it will work the best for performace. Can't wait to get it!

02/25/2011, 02:24 PM	#18
weidjd Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 169	Great Input. I was looking at the 160 but if its way overkill I am going with the 120 for my 58.

02/25/2011, 02:37 PM	#19
Saltwatercoral2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,617	wheres the best price for the 120? anyone know of any coupon codes at the places that have it

02/25/2011, 05:04 PM	#20
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	I got mine off of the one seller on ebay. It was $219 shipped.

02/25/2011, 05:12 PM	#21
sneaton Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: indianapolis Posts: 742	big als...use "nanoreef" coupon code.. 200 shipped

02/25/2011, 05:24 PM	#23
Saltwatercoral2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,617	ya i was goin to say that coupon code didnt work for me

02/25/2011, 06:40 PM	#24
sneaton Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: indianapolis Posts: 742	dam

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