Skimmer help SWC, AETech, AquaC EV

BigCity · 07/04/2011, 01:17 PM

Help me make a decision, provide feedback recs for a new skimmer for my tank.

I have a 120g will be mixed reef with 40g sump, currently finishing the cycling process. Ultimately have maybe have a couple clowns, few chromis, maybe a small tang and damsel.

I have a reef devil currently but have read that it probably won't be enough, maybe at first?

I have been looking at SWC, AETech and AquaC EV. Looking for feedback and recs on which models from these manf would be best (any others would be welcome as well).

Ideally an external skimmer would be best because of space constraints, but I could put in a small external tank with overflow return for an in sump design.

Any questions or clarifications just let me know.

huskysglare1 · 07/04/2011, 01:24 PM

SWC skimmers are great if you have one with an askoll pump. I've heard that customer service is bad though. I got the SWC 300 Cone skimmer and it's terrific.

pja24 · 07/04/2011, 01:38 PM

I have the Swc extreme 200. Works awesome. I recommend it (Swc).

BigCity · 07/04/2011, 04:00 PM

So what's the difference between the extreme and the cone versions of the SWC?

Jsin · 07/04/2011, 04:11 PM

I have a SWC cone and love it. No issues at all and my emails are answered within a day from them. I had an Aqua c ev a few years ago. It was a good skimmed but there was too much tunning involved for me.

jcolletteiii · 07/04/2011, 06:52 PM

I had an Aqua C skimmer - worked great when it was set just right. Unfortunately, finding that sweet spot was tough and required frequent fidgeting. I'm going with an SWC 120 on my 50g. cube build. Hear good things, mostly.

BigCity · 07/04/2011, 07:32 PM

Hmmm, I was leaning toward the Aqua C skimmers because the footprint was small enough that I might actually be able to get it to fit in the tight quarters of my stand. But if they are tough to get setup and have to constantly adjust then that may not be all that good if it's setup in tight quarters.

jtma508 · 07/05/2011, 07:27 AM

I ran the AquaC EV-180 for almost three years on my 90 + 25gal system. It rocked. Like most things the 'issues' reported have less to do with the skimmer and more to do with less-than-optimum setups. Once I set mine I never had to fiddle with the settings. Sure, I could dose an additive (Prodibio Reef Bosster is an oily killer) that would drive it crazy but that would happen with any skimmer. The key is the larger pump (Mag 9.5 on mine), dump the gate valve, go with the 1" injector, make sure it sits in water just up to the lower lip of the outlet, and most importantly, periodically clean the air valve of salt build-up.

BigCity · 07/05/2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtma508

I ran the AquaC EV-180 for almost three years on my 90 + 25gal system. It rocked. Like most things the 'issues' reported have less to do with the skimmer and more to do with less-than-optimum setups. Once I set mine I never had to fiddle with the settings. Sure, I could dose an additive (Prodibio Reef Bosster is an oily killer) that would drive it crazy but that would happen with any skimmer. The key is the larger pump (Mag 9.5 on mine), dump the gate valve, go with the 1" injector, make sure it sits in water just up to the lower lip of the outlet, and most importantly, periodically clean the air valve of salt build-up.

Thanks for the heads up, it's so confusing trying to keep pace with all the different versions, etc on here sometimes. BTW, I sent you a PM response as well.

reign · 07/05/2011, 09:43 AM

swc is more energy efficient..I have used aetech and aqua-c for years..I like the simple maintenance of the aquac..no thumb screws ..twistlock is way easier..I have a ev-400(w/ genx 40) and have not had any issues adjusting it..once it is set thats it..+1 jtma508 ..I think the issues for some are the setups..also I always run mine w/o the air valve on..massive air great skimmate a little noisy though..

markster33139 · 07/06/2011, 07:33 AM

to reign when you say that you run the aqua c without the air valve on, what exactly do you mean?

reign · 07/06/2011, 07:47 AM

On aqua c ev skimmers they have a john guest speedfit (ozone/reactor bleed off port) and a small "valve" for air adjustment..I usually take this off to just leave the tapped hole open..the only thing about ev skimmers it that you have to make sure these air intake holes do not get clogged with salt creep since saltwater goes through here..I was told to do this by aqua c years ago when they redesigned the ev skimmers..

ccolt1 · 07/06/2011, 07:51 AM

I would ask Mojo he was a great help when I was asking about skimmers..

solitude127 · 07/06/2011, 11:21 AM

If you're looking for an external, you may want to check out the DAS Skimmer. I had an EX-1 on my 90 and it worked really well.

07/04/2011, 01:17 PM	#1
BigCity Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Avon, IN Posts: 206	Skimmer help SWC, AETech, AquaC EV Help me make a decision, provide feedback recs for a new skimmer for my tank. I have a 120g will be mixed reef with 40g sump, currently finishing the cycling process. Ultimately have maybe have a couple clowns, few chromis, maybe a small tang and damsel. I have a reef devil currently but have read that it probably won't be enough, maybe at first? I have been looking at SWC, AETech and AquaC EV. Looking for feedback and recs on which models from these manf would be best (any others would be welcome as well). Ideally an external skimmer would be best because of space constraints, but I could put in a small external tank with overflow return for an in sump design. Any questions or clarifications just let me know.

07/04/2011, 01:24 PM	#2
huskysglare1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,406	SWC skimmers are great if you have one with an askoll pump. I've heard that customer service is bad though. I got the SWC 300 Cone skimmer and it's terrific. __________________ Since Jan 2008 Current system: 170G+50g Sump/Bio-Pellet Reactor. 2x400w Radium+2x110w VHO. 2 x HYDRO Magnum 8 + 1xMP60w (removed 2 x Koralia 4). SWC 300A Cone (had SWC 200 w/ Red Demon); it's AWESOME! BRS DOSER(Cal, Alk, and Mag). Current Tank Info: 170g+50g sump

07/04/2011, 01:38 PM	#3
pja24 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: royal palm beach, florida Posts: 67	I have the Swc extreme 200. Works awesome. I recommend it (Swc). __________________ 210 gallon, AGA 210, 75 gallon sump, Rapid LEDs, Apex, Aquamaxx cones 3, reeflo dart gold. 4-Mp40wes

07/04/2011, 04:11 PM	#5
Jsin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 223	I have a SWC cone and love it. No issues at all and my emails are answered within a day from them. I had an Aqua c ev a few years ago. It was a good skimmed but there was too much tunning involved for me. __________________ -Jsin- Current Tank Info: 45 gallon mixed reef

07/04/2011, 06:52 PM	#6
jcolletteiii Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 58703 Posts: 1,265	I had an Aqua C skimmer - worked great when it was set just right. Unfortunately, finding that sweet spot was tough and required frequent fidgeting. I'm going with an SWC 120 on my 50g. cube build. Hear good things, mostly. __________________ T5-powered (ex-LED club member) SPS-dominant 50g. Cadlights CUBE. Current Tank Info: 16g biocube

07/04/2011, 04:00 PM	#4
BigCity Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Avon, IN Posts: 206	So what's the difference between the extreme and the cone versions of the SWC?

07/04/2011, 07:32 PM	#7
BigCity Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Avon, IN Posts: 206	Hmmm, I was leaning toward the Aqua C skimmers because the footprint was small enough that I might actually be able to get it to fit in the tight quarters of my stand. But if they are tough to get setup and have to constantly adjust then that may not be all that good if it's setup in tight quarters.

07/05/2011, 07:27 AM	#8
jtma508 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,232	I ran the AquaC EV-180 for almost three years on my 90 + 25gal system. It rocked. Like most things the 'issues' reported have less to do with the skimmer and more to do with less-than-optimum setups. Once I set mine I never had to fiddle with the settings. Sure, I could dose an additive (Prodibio Reef Bosster is an oily killer) that would drive it crazy but that would happen with any skimmer. The key is the larger pump (Mag 9.5 on mine), dump the gate valve, go with the 1" injector, make sure it sits in water just up to the lower lip of the outlet, and most importantly, periodically clean the air valve of salt build-up.

07/05/2011, 09:43 AM	#10
reign Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Albq.NM Posts: 522	swc is more energy efficient..I have used aetech and aqua-c for years..I like the simple maintenance of the aquac..no thumb screws ..twistlock is way easier..I have a ev-400(w/ genx 40) and have not had any issues adjusting it..once it is set thats it..+1 jtma508 ..I think the issues for some are the setups..also I always run mine w/o the air valve on..massive air great skimmate a little noisy though..

07/06/2011, 07:33 AM	#11
markster33139 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 340	to reign when you say that you run the aqua c without the air valve on, what exactly do you mean?

07/06/2011, 07:47 AM	#12
reign Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Albq.NM Posts: 522	On aqua c ev skimmers they have a john guest speedfit (ozone/reactor bleed off port) and a small "valve" for air adjustment..I usually take this off to just leave the tapped hole open..the only thing about ev skimmers it that you have to make sure these air intake holes do not get clogged with salt creep since saltwater goes through here..I was told to do this by aqua c years ago when they redesigned the ev skimmers..

07/06/2011, 07:51 AM	#13
ccolt1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 323	I would ask Mojo he was a great help when I was asking about skimmers..

07/06/2011, 11:21 AM	#14
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	If you're looking for an external, you may want to check out the DAS Skimmer. I had an EX-1 on my 90 and it worked really well. __________________ 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

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