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Small footprint skimmer for 50g w/ 18g sump

kevin

kevin

NJRC Member
Have a 50g w/ 18g sump.

Currently own:
Warner Marine
Model MF 121
Rated up to 80 Gallon Tank
Footprint Approx. 5.5" x 6.5"
Height Approx. 21"

I would like to chuck it out the window.

Room for sump: 7.5x8
Would like a drainage nipple, not a must.
Not heavily stocked at all. 4fish, few corals..pretty new tank, but I will add. It's really hard to find something with this small of a foot print. Please help!

Kevin
 
kevin

kevin

NJRC Member
jgraz said:
I have this skimmer. Love it. But the footprint is about the same as you have
Click to expand...

I've read it might not be too small for my setup. I'm still going to give it a try! Johnathan has one & his has been running great so far.
 
jgraz

jgraz

Just curious. But what don't you like about the Warner. I was considering that but price tag scared me away. I got my 3.5 for $128 during a BRS buy. Best price I ever seen on it
 
kevin

kevin

NJRC Member
jgraz said:
Just curious. But what don't you like about the Warner. I was considering that but price tag scared me away. I got my 3.5 for $128 during a BRS buy. Best price I ever seen on it
Click to expand...

Brando457 said:
He is having problems with the pump stopping/starting.
Click to expand...

What Brando said. I'm having a problem if I turn the pump off, turn it back on, the impeller doesn't spin & just vibrates. I've already replaced the impeller, sent the pump out, & I'm still having the same problem. I'm just done with it. Been going on for a month or so now. I would have to blow in the air line for the impeller to spin & catch right. I've used it all of 2 times?

I've read problems of the skimz models doing the same exact thing.
 
M

mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
Moderator
Yeah the owner of swc was the one who got caught smuggling live rock over the border so yes they are in trouble. I have the swc 120 and love it, if you can find one right now, I would say get it. Eshops just came out with a skimmer that is almost a clone and you can find it (AO has it) but I have no experience with it. I have had an swc120 since august and have been happy with it. I also have a bubble magus skimmer in my 57g and I love that skimmer too, so I don't think you can go wrong with either.
 
negative44

negative44

kevin said:
What Brando said. I'm having a problem if I turn the pump off, turn it back on, the impeller doesn't spin & just vibrates. I've already replaced the impeller, sent the pump out, & I'm still having the same problem. I'm just done with it. Been going on for a month or so now. I would have to blow in the air line for the impeller to spin & catch right. I've used it all of 2 times?

I've read problems of the skimz models doing the same exact thing.
Click to expand...

Kevin and I have the same skimmer and I am having the same problems with mine. I was told by Pacific East Aquaculture(where I purchased the skimmer) that it was sand in the pump causing all the noise and why the pump won't start. I was told I need to clean it more. I break down the skimmer and pump weekly and clean them, it changes nothing. It only runs good for an hour or 2(still loud though) then overflows everytime. :frown:
 
magic

magic

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
I'm with MNAT on the SWC. I have a 180 on my 70 and it is a 'beast'. A lot for your money.

Bob
 
Olivier

Olivier

kevin said:
What Brando said. I'm having a problem if I turn the pump off, turn it back on, the impeller doesn't spin & just vibrates. I've already replaced the impeller, sent the pump out, & I'm still having the same problem. I'm just done with it. Been going on for a month or so now. I would have to blow in the air line for the impeller to spin & catch right. I've used it all of 2 times?

I've read problems of the skimz models doing the same exact thing.
Click to expand...
kEVIN,
can you replace the pump with something else that more reliable? and yes, SWC skimmer 120 is the way to go. who care if the owner is going to JAIL? beside SWC 120, I would go with bubble maget cone skimmer
 
kevin

kevin

NJRC Member
Olivier said:
kEVIN,
can you replace the pump with something else that more reliable? and yes, SWC skimmer 120 is the way to go. who care if the owner is going to JAIL? beside SWC 120, I would go with bubble maget cone skimmer
Click to expand...

I'm not too sure. I'm assuming I can. I'm waiting to hear back from Jon Warner. I must of e-mailed him a million times. "it's working!!.." 1hr hour later "it's not working". I currently have it running & it's working. The minute I shut it off it will be 50/50 if it turns on correctly.
 
kevin

kevin

NJRC Member
Reviving this thread from the dead. I went with the bubble magus 3.5 & I've been using it since my last post. My tank is pretty decently stocked & I think I need a heavier duty skimmer. Is the SWC more of a beast then the magus 3.5? The magus is rated 20-80gal. SWC is rated 55-90g
 
Olivier

Olivier

Kevin,
if you really really wanna go crazy and feed your tank crazy this is what I would recommend now.. get yourself a Alpha Cone 170 skimmer. expensive but second to non. SWC is also very good for the money and well built. SWC120 will do the job for your 70 gallon max with heavy bioload.
 
redfishbluefish

redfishbluefish

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Olivier said:
Kevin,
if you really really wanna go crazy ........ Alpha Cone 170 skimmer. expensive but second to non. .....
Click to expand...

WHAT! Premium Aquatics has this Alpha 170 for $780! That thing better do more than skim my tank at that price!
If you have a ton of discretionary funds, go for it.

Otherwise, with an SWC or Bubble Magus, around 200+ dollars, either would work just fine.
 
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