New automated skimmer cleaner - a review - Page 2

GlassReef · 09/17/2010, 12:40 PM

Yup!

blfuller123 · 10/12/2010, 08:19 PM

Think I am going to have to get me one!

buy_baff · 10/13/2010, 12:55 AM

Well you sold me on the idea. I'm deffinetly ordering me one of these.

Jarret · 10/13/2010, 01:30 AM

Can we get an update on how the Swabbie is performing? I know you said you love it so far but have you run into any issues with it where there could be some improvements made?

GlassReef · 10/13/2010, 09:36 AM

I haven't had any problems at all. I can't remember whether I mentioned it,or not, but I've purchased a 2nd Swabbie. I guess that's the best recommendation I can give.

Oh, I did change my Apex program to run my Swabbies 3 times a day (instead of 6 times a day) for 1 minute each time. I found running them more often isn't necessary

scubasteve06 · 10/13/2010, 09:56 AM

Does the swabbie being inside the neck that the ever so important foam head builds up in reduce or hold back the foam head at all? I guess since its foam it just goes up, in, and around it as it is pushed up and flows over into the collection cup.

JR how is that ATB working for ya? I want a ATB 840 so bad!

GlassReef · 10/13/2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubasteve06

Does the swabbie being inside the neck that the ever so important foam head builds up in reduce or hold back the foam head at all? I guess since its foam it just goes up, in, and around it as it is pushed up and flows over into the collection cup.

I haven't noticed any degradation of the foam head due to the Swabbie. It seems to function as it always has.

jpatrician · 10/13/2010, 10:44 PM

I love my Swabbie! Justin was able to hook me up with the proper fit, and I now have had it running now for 3 weeks, with no issues at all. I was initially worried that the squeegee would affect the bubble tower, causing it to collapse, but it did not. I have my Apex programmed to run it for 1 minute intervals, 4 times a day. I can't believe how much a clean neck adds to the performance of the skimmer. The Swabbie has easily made my skimmate production double what it used to.

solitude127 · 10/14/2010, 12:37 PM

I don't know if y'all saw but Avast Marine is now a sponsor here on RC

roni · 10/15/2010, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpatrician

I love my Swabbie! Justin was able to hook me up with the proper fit, and I now have had it running now for 3 weeks, with no issues at all. I was initially worried that the squeegee would affect the bubble tower, causing it to collapse, but it did not. I have my Apex programmed to run it for 1 minute intervals, 4 times a day. I can't believe how much a clean neck adds to the performance of the skimmer. The Swabbie has easily made my skimmate production double what it used to.

I've gotten my swabbie up and running on my euroreef as well. Went out of town for a week and everything was running perfectly. Didn't quantify but looks like about double the output as well. Great product and great support. BTW, they have a new product out, basically an improved waste disposal unit (I believe they're calling it Davy Jones' Locker...i sense a theme

jpatrician · 10/15/2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roni

I've gotten my swabbie up and running on my euroreef as well. Went out of town for a week and everything was running perfectly. Didn't quantify but looks like about double the output as well. Great product and great support. BTW, they have a new product out, basically an improved waste disposal unit (I believe they're calling it Davy Jones' Locker...i sense a theme

The Davy Jones Locker is next on my list.

RokleM · 10/15/2010, 05:17 PM

This thread has been moved to the current forum.

jwilliams860 · 10/17/2010, 07:42 PM

I have the Swabbie in my Super Reef Octipus XP-5000ext, and its an awesome product, and an excellent price point, I was even able to send in my OEM lid and have them retrofit the mechanisim into my lid so I could keep the factory look.

JRaquatics · 10/18/2010, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwilliams860

I have the Swabbie in my Super Reef Octipus XP-5000ext, and its an awesome product, and an excellent price point, I was even able to send in my OEM lid and have them retrofit the mechanisim into my lid so I could keep the factory look.

Have any shots of this? Man that has to be a one killer unit now.

notclear · 10/20/2010, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwilliams860

I have the Swabbie in my Super Reef Octipus XP-5000ext, and its an awesome product, and an excellent price point, I was even able to send in my OEM lid and have them retrofit the mechanisim into my lid so I could keep the factory look.

Did you pay extra for this custom works?

ctenophore · 10/20/2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notclear

Did you pay extra for this custom works?

It can actually be a bit less, depending on the lid size- we charge $134.99 to retrofit an existing lid. Same price as the smallest Swabbie. Here is the order page:
http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/pr...SWABBIE-CUSTOM

Note that Black & White are now color choices for Swabbie Retrofits! These colors are currently preorders though; we expect the material in about two weeks.

Thanks everyone for all the nice comments in this thread. I can finally post in here now that we started our sponsor forum

lovetoreef · 10/20/2010, 12:36 PM

would there be any issue with running through the relay that controls my ATO?? it is easier for me to plug it into that vs. my controller, and, the ATO will usually kick on 5-7 times a day for a minute or two - thanks.

also, does the motor detach from the lid for cleaning purposes, or, do you have to unplug the apparatus and then clean?? Thanks.

ctenophore · 10/20/2010, 04:24 PM

Plugging into the ATO relay should work fine. 5-7x/day for a few minutes is perfect. The Swabbie motor only draws ~3w so you don't risk overloading anything.

The motor is sealed in the housing and does not detach. Cleaning is simple- just pick the lid up off the skimmer and spray the entire assembly off. There is no need to remove the wiper & rod.

reefkeeps · 10/20/2010, 09:03 PM

I got both Swabbie and the locker, both products are a remarkable value....

buy_baff · 10/20/2010, 10:32 PM

Someone should post a video of this product in use. I will be ordering me one in a few weeks when I get my new skimmer.

lovetoreef · 10/21/2010, 06:58 AM

thanks for the reply - once i get a new collection cup lid in for my skimmer, i will be sending it in for a retrofit! Thanks.

jwilliams860 · 10/21/2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notclear

Did you pay extra for this custom works?

Nope, no extra charge, very easy process, quick turn around

jwilliams860 · 10/21/2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRaquatics

Have any shots of this? Man that has to be a one killer unit now.

As Requested Jeremy

jwilliams860 · 10/21/2010, 04:40 PM

It really makes an already great skimmer, that much better

Maximus · 10/21/2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlassReef

My Swabbie is going strong! I'm very satisfied with it's performance. No issues, at all. As a matter of fact I have been intending to order another one (have two identical skimmers) for the past week, but haven't gotten around to it because I've been so busy.

BTW - I was at MACNA last weekend and met Justin Casp, the manufacturer. Really nice guy - obviously interested in well satisfied customers. Says he's working on an Ozone reactor - something I'd really be interested in.

A number of you have PMed me about how I have programmed my Swabbie's run times. Here's what I am running on my Apex:

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
OSC 239:00/001:00/000:00 Then ON

This turns the Swabbie on for 1 minute every 4 hours. Works great.

Hi Tom,
I used the same code on my Apex but the Swabbie doesn't turn off. Any ideas why?

09/17/2010, 12:40 PM	#26
GlassReef Got Reef Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 2,501	Yup! __________________ Tom No matter how much you try to push the envelope, it remains stationary.

10/13/2010, 12:55 AM	#28
buy_baff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,180	Well you sold me on the idea. I'm deffinetly ordering me one of these. __________________ 150g sps display with basement sump.

10/13/2010, 09:36 AM	#30
GlassReef Got Reef Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 2,501	I haven't had any problems at all. I can't remember whether I mentioned it,or not, but I've purchased a 2nd Swabbie. I guess that's the best recommendation I can give. Oh, I did change my Apex program to run my Swabbies 3 times a day (instead of 6 times a day) for 1 minute each time. I found running them more often isn't necessary __________________ Tom No matter how much you try to push the envelope, it remains stationary.

10/13/2010, 10:44 PM	#33
jpatrician Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: CT Posts: 564	I love my Swabbie! Justin was able to hook me up with the proper fit, and I now have had it running now for 3 weeks, with no issues at all. I was initially worried that the squeegee would affect the bubble tower, causing it to collapse, but it did not. I have my Apex programmed to run it for 1 minute intervals, 4 times a day. I can't believe how much a clean neck adds to the performance of the skimmer. The Swabbie has easily made my skimmate production double what it used to. __________________ 36x30x24 build. . .fell through :-( Current Tank Info: Taking a Break :-(

10/14/2010, 12:37 PM	#34
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	I don't know if y'all saw but Avast Marine is now a sponsor here on RC __________________ 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

10/12/2010, 08:19 PM	#27
blfuller123 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lake Jackson, TX Posts: 511	Think I am going to have to get me one!

10/13/2010, 01:30 AM	#29
Jarret Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 108	Can we get an update on how the Swabbie is performing? I know you said you love it so far but have you run into any issues with it where there could be some improvements made?

10/13/2010, 09:56 AM	#31
scubasteve06 Jeeper Reefer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 1,171	Does the swabbie being inside the neck that the ever so important foam head builds up in reduce or hold back the foam head at all? I guess since its foam it just goes up, in, and around it as it is pushed up and flows over into the collection cup. JR how is that ATB working for ya? I want a ATB 840 so bad!

10/15/2010, 05:17 PM	#37
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	This thread has been moved to the current forum. __________________ -Eric-

10/17/2010, 07:42 PM	#38
jwilliams860 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 407	I have the Swabbie in my Super Reef Octipus XP-5000ext, and its an awesome product, and an excellent price point, I was even able to send in my OEM lid and have them retrofit the mechanisim into my lid so I could keep the factory look.

10/20/2010, 12:36 PM	#42
lovetoreef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Canton, TX Posts: 763	would there be any issue with running through the relay that controls my ATO?? it is easier for me to plug it into that vs. my controller, and, the ATO will usually kick on 5-7 times a day for a minute or two - thanks. also, does the motor detach from the lid for cleaning purposes, or, do you have to unplug the apparatus and then clean?? Thanks. __________________ Planning SPS AIO tank Canton, TX Reefing on and off since 2001 Current Tank Info: planning nano AIO

10/20/2010, 04:24 PM	#43
ctenophore RC Sponsor Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Rockville MD Posts: 707	Plugging into the ATO relay should work fine. 5-7x/day for a few minutes is perfect. The Swabbie motor only draws ~3w so you don't risk overloading anything. The motor is sealed in the housing and does not detach. Cleaning is simple- just pick the lid up off the skimmer and spray the entire assembly off. There is no need to remove the wiper & rod.

10/20/2010, 09:03 PM	#44
reefkeeps Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alpharetta Ga Posts: 1,093	I got both Swabbie and the locker, both products are a remarkable value....

10/20/2010, 10:32 PM	#45
buy_baff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,180	Someone should post a video of this product in use. I will be ordering me one in a few weeks when I get my new skimmer. __________________ 150g sps display with basement sump.

10/21/2010, 06:58 AM	#46
lovetoreef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Canton, TX Posts: 763	thanks for the reply - once i get a new collection cup lid in for my skimmer, i will be sending it in for a retrofit! Thanks. __________________ Planning SPS AIO tank Canton, TX Reefing on and off since 2001 Current Tank Info: planning nano AIO

10/21/2010, 04:40 PM	#49
jwilliams860 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 407	It really makes an already great skimmer, that much better

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