SWC/MSX cone club (sponsor edition)

[johnnyblaze313]

:p Alright guys first things glad to see MS is a sponsor here now.
aninja mentioned a dual thread so I figured I would fire one up here so we can get Rob and Jeff's support and feedback on things.

Hopefully we can keep things a little more constructive on here for those that dont wanna read though all the drama and non-scence thats getting put on the other thread.
I will put my pics and video up in a bit..

[MSX-Rob]

Johnny-

Good idea on a separate thread, and yes, we are bale to comment and add detail over here.

Someone had made some mention of the air draw numbers on the MSX1A in the other thread. The numbers we have posted on our site are the numbers we are actually pulling right now. They are currently 50 SCFH in recirc mode and 70 SCFH in single-pass mode. Please keep in mind that this is still a new skimmer and still going through a break in, these numbers may rise a little more once everything gets a good slime coat on them and the pump is allowed to break in some more.

For comparison, when we first put the skimmer in place, we were pulling 50 SCFH in recirc and 60 in single-pass, the single-pass numbers have risen in the few days the unit was running.

[MSX-Rob]

Another item I had forgotten to post, if anyone has any questions about these skimmers, please ask. If we do not have an answer, we will get it.

We have a very good relationship with Jayson at SWC (www.SaltwaterConnection.com), if we do not have the answer immediately, he will be able to provide some insight too.

[tufacody]

Rob/Jeff:
I found the O-ring that went with the skimmer cup. Apparently it fell into the laundary sink when I rinsed it out. Sorry about that.
--R. Levasseur

[MSX-Rob]

Glad to hear it. Have you had a chance to install it in the skimmer? It is a bit cumbersome, it may help if you have another set of hands to hold one side in place while you guide the rest of it in the seat.

[MSX-Jeff]

That's good to hear tufacody :)

[johnnyblaze313]

Since the other thread got closed I figured I would post some of the pics I took on this one....




http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_SSPX0049.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=SSPX0049.jpg)


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_SSPX0072.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=SSPX0072.jpg)



http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_SSPX0102.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=SSPX0102.jpg)


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_SSPX0116.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=SSPX0116.jpg)

Few video's


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_SSPX0115.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=SSPX0115.flv)


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_SSPX0096.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=SSPX0096.flv)


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_SSPX0133.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=SSPX0133.flv)

[johnnyblaze313]

It's almost been 3 days since I put both skimmers online (xtreeme 250 and single sicce cone)....The cone is definitely holding its own if not beating the xtreeme even with the single sicce.

I have the xtreeme in the first compartment of my sump and the cone in last so the xtreeme is getting the first crack at the overflow water. The water the cone is getting has already been through the xtreeme, carbon, gfo, and cheato and yet the cone with one less pump has pulled more nog!!

Here is a few shots I took of the 2.



XTREEME
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_SSPX0199.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=SSPX0199.jpg)

CONE


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_SSPX0200.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=SSPX0200.jpg)

[MSX-Jeff]

Johnny,

I too am getting the competition started.

I put a 1A askoll cone and a 2S dual Sicce cone onto the same system that is already running an MSX 250. I'll give it a few days for everything to settle in and then clean all 3 cups and start the comparison.

A little pre-test info. The system is roughly 1000g, it has a high bio-load, it is our SPS/LPS prop system, there are about 10 4-5" tangs, and 15-20 damsels/chromis between the 2 raceways that share a common sump.
The MSX250 has been running in that system for aprox 6 months (so it is good and broken in). The 1A has been running for 1.5 weeks, and the 2S has been running for less than a week (both cones are not fully broken in. the Sicce's on all skimmers are running PW's so that it is an even test.

I'll keep you all posted how it's going. The test should begin Thursday!

[johnnyblaze313]

Nice Jeff,

That sounds much more controlled then what I got going on good idea on the pinwheels keep things a little fairer. At first I planned on keeping witch ever skimmer performed better but I've always liked the idea of running 2 different style skimmers. Think I'm just going to order another sicce up and run em both:) The docs wont stand a chance gettin hit with that one, two combo.

[MSX-Jeff]

Well, I began the test yesterday morning.

All 3 skimmer cups were emptied and cleaned. Once they regained foam head after the cleaning, I adjusted all 3 so that the bubbles were breaking about 4" below the top of the neck. I'll be in the shop tomorrow and check the progress.

The plan is to measure the skimate from all 3 skimmers, and compare it by color and smell also. I will let the test run about 2 weeks to see which skimmer has accumulated the most skimate, the darkest skimate, and the smelliest skimate in that time.

[MSX-Jeff]

Johnny, How's your cone doing? Have you been able to keep your hands off of it long enough for it to really get going? :lol::lol:

[biger]

Has somebody come out with a smell meter yet?

[MSX-Jeff]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13980728#post13980728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by biger
Has somebody come out with a smell meter yet?

What do you mean? A small air meter?


edit: I just saw that you typed "smell", not "small" :lol:

So far, the MSX that's been running for 6+ months is stinking worse than the cone...but the cones haven't FULLY broken in yet. I try not to clean the cups when I know someone is going to be coming in the shop soon...it tends to stink up the place for a good hour :eek:

[johnnyblaze313]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13980727#post13980727 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MSX-Jeff
Johnny, How's your cone doing? Have you been able to keep your hands off of it long enough for it to really get going? :lol::lol:

The cone is doing great, loving it more and more everyday. But no I haven't been able to keep my grimy paws off of it:) Pretty much got the same results as above over the last 3 days, decided to take the msx offline and go duel sicce's on the cone.

I hooked the cone up with duel sicce pinwheels , I think my mesh days are over. I didn't care for the pinwheels on the xtreeme but they look to be a perfect fit on the cone absolute zero turbulence, dead silent, and no startup issues. Plus I'm getting more air on the cone with them. Jayson told me to let go of the mesh and try the pinwheels said I dont need all that air on the cone, I think he was right..

I cleaned my glass this morning and the cone pulled whole chunks of algae out almost instantly, dosed some phyto a little while later
and the whole head of foam turned green again almost immediately. Can't say I've ever seen that on the xtreeme or any other skimmers I've had.

[jamesdawson]

I think the more air on the Cone's pinwheels versus the Extreme's pinwheels has to do with the fact that the cone puts less water weight/pressure on the pumps.

James

[jman77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13980728#post13980728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by biger
Has somebody come out with a smell meter yet?

Yes ...it's called a Wife or Girlfriend. They are really expensive devices though. You can keep you eye out for some older models on Craigs List or Local Paper as they might come cheaper.


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[MSX-Jeff]

Now that's funny Jman :lol::lol:

I take it your wife doesn't read RC :D

[biger]

Yes ...it's called a Wife or Girlfriend. They are really expensive devices though. You can keep you eye out for some older models on Craigs List or Local Paper as they might come cheaper.

I will do that as I am always looking for a bargain!

[MSX-Jeff]

biger, you got a cone right? How's it skimming?

[biger]

I got a askoll cone but have been out of town and don't have it running yet. Hope to get it going this week after the Christmas activity is over. Great build quality I must say tho.

[MSX-Jeff]

Keep us updated ;)

[johnnyblaze313]

Heres about 5 days worth of nog, I ended up having to clean the cup short of a week the smell was just to bad.:D

I am seriously over impressed with the cone now.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_024.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=024.jpg)

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_025.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=025.jpg)


http://http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_023.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=023.jpg)


http://http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_026.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=026.jpg)

[johnnyblaze313]

I decided to let the skimmer run a bit on the wet side after I cleaned it friday and this is what I ended up with this morning:smokin: Thats 2 days ,I'm going to let it run this way for the week.






http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/027.jpg

[johnnyblaze313]

I think its broke in now!! Here's a video 5 days after cleaning, I accidentally left the lid off for a bit but it gives a good idea on how stable the head is:D

I made the video to long so I had to break it up into 4 parts.


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_Movie1.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=Movie1.flv)


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_Movie2.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=Movie2.flv)


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_Movie3.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=Movie3.flv)


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/th_Movie4.jpg (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/?action=view&current=Movie4.flv) :)

[MSX-Rob]

Looking pretty nasty. What are you feeding your tank? Cheesburgers?

[johnnyblaze313]

Yup sliders:) It's actually a pretty lightly stocked tank 2 anthias, 4 damsels, 1 yellow tang, and 2 perc clowns.

I feed pretty heavy combo of rods and a homemade food from a LFS called tropicorium, you guys heard of them?

[MSX-Rob]

I have heard of Tropicorium, however, I have never been there. I have heard from a couple of local guys that it is worth the trip from here.

[fernandokng]

Is the Dual Sicce cone and the One Sicce cone the same footprint?

Wouldn't you need a bigger cone to handle 2 pumps instead of one?

Also, jeff, how's your test going so far?

Thanks.

[MSX-Rob]

The cone for the 1S and the 2S is identical. The footprint is larger on the 2S because of the second pump. They both use the same body, on the 1S, only one pump is attached.

I would recommend using a meshed impeller on the 1S, I would probably use pinwheels on the 2S.

[SHOmuchFUN]

What exactly is the footprint of the 1s with a single sicce? It says "TBD" on the website.

Also, would the 1s work sufficiently on a stocked 75gal using a pinwheel? I don't want to have to bother with the meshwheel and worry whether it's working properly or not.

[MSX-Jeff]

The testing is going well...I am going to wait another week or 2 before posting final results, but, both the 1A and 2S are out skimming the MSX250 by more than 50% in skimate production :)

12" x 17" is the footprint of both "S" models. there is a little more room around the 1S for something like a TLF reactor, but the "square" foot print is the same.

the 1S would work, but it might be overkill (see post in the "MSX 1S Cone" thread in this forum here (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=14096331#post14096331) )

[SHOmuchFUN]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14096420#post14096420 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MSX-Jeff
the 1S would work, but it might be overkill (see post in the "MSX 1S Cone" thread in this forum here (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=14096331#post14096331) )
Thanks Jeff... Looks like the MSX200 would be a better fit... Besides the fact that I don't have 12x17" of sump space to give up for the 1s cone... That's a pretty large footprint :eek1:

[johnnyblaze313]

Finally learning how to take a dang picture with the camera. Heres a decent shot of the neck shows the bubble density in there.



http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/johnnyblaze313/060.jpg

[arod2051]

Wow! those bubbles look really stable too. Any chance you can post a video of the neck?

[tangtang clown]

Rob, how is the testing coming? Anybody else take the plunge?

[MSX-Jeff]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14221989#post14221989 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangtang clown
Rob, how is the testing coming? Anybody else take the plunge?

See the results here. (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1553660)

[HOBrien]

Ok MSX guys which of the cone skimmers that yall have would be sufficient for a 450gallon FOWLR heavly stocked? Or any of your skimmers for that fact if none of the cones would work.

Thanks

[MSX-Rob]

I think that in order to properly skim a tank of that size, you would have to look at two of them. Either the two of the 2S or two of the 1A.

[MSX-Jeff]

It being a FOWLR, and not having the demanding water quality needs of a reef tank that you'd be good with either the 1A or the 2S.

[HOBrien]

ok thanks

[sjm817]

If you go for the MSX cone, get the 1A. The single Askoll pump is a lot easier to live with than the dual Sicces.

[HOBrien]

10 4

[bkelley02]

what is the in sump dimensions of the 1A? The site doesn't have that information.

Thanks

[MSX-Jeff]

14x18...that dim will only work for in sump single pass mode...it's more like 18x18 if you want to run it recirc.

We'll get the site updated...thanks :)

[bkelley02]

Thanks for the Info