SWC BMK 150 vs SWC 160 cone

trmiv · 03/19/2011, 03:46 PM

Trying to decide on a skimmer for my new setup. I have a DAS EX-1 on my current tank, which is excellent, but my new tank is a 60 cube with a 15g sump and possibly a 10g refugium (haven't decided, it would need an external stand to house it). The cube has very little space under it, so I'm trying to optimize my sump space as much as I can. I've narrowed by choices down to the SWC BMK 150 which can be had for $210 shipped, or the SWC 160 cone which I can get at big als with the st pats coupon for about $250 shipped. I'd of course love to save some $$, but if the cone is worth the extra, I'll spend it. Opinions?

toash · 03/19/2011, 04:01 PM

I just bought the 160 cone from big als as well about two weeks ago....I had heard they were a bit difficult to adjust. My experience was, put it together which is rather simple, installed it, and it skimmed immediately. Been in the tank about ten days and it is a skimming machine......it is very sensitive adjustment wise....especially when a 3 year old like to spin the adjustments.....long story short.....I would think it would be hard to beat for 250..

EllisJuan · 03/19/2011, 06:30 PM

I was in the same boat as you. I chose the 150 BMK after my research. They share the same pump and I am not completely sold on the supremacy of the cone.

trmiv · 03/19/2011, 11:14 PM

Thanks for the replies. EllisJuan, I've seen the pics of your setup, I'm planning a 15g sump in this tank as well. Either of these skimmers seem like they'd fit perfectly in the space.

z3r0ko0l · 03/19/2011, 11:45 PM

While the 160 seems to be the hot thing right now, I dont think you would be going wrong either way. On a tank your size either should be good and the savings on the 150 would be nice. That said I would prob get the 160. With all the great reviews it seems to be a solid choice.

EllisJuan · 03/20/2011, 12:49 AM

One of the other main deciding factor for me was that like the OP I was using a 15g sump and the 150 BMK is .5" narrower. The 160 is 9"x7" and the 150 is 9"6.5". This sounds like a negligable difference for most people but when you are trying to fit a skimmer, fuge, and return are in a 15g space is precious. Things are so tight down there the .5" would have honestly made a differece. I really do not think the extra .5" of the 160 cone would have let it fit...even though the chamber was measured to be 7"

This joker is packed. I was able to fit qood powerful skimmer, a large enough to be functional fuge, and a decent return section in there. It did take some planning though.

Here is two weeks worth of skimmate 2 weeks after break in...nice and thick. Was very easy to dial in.

trmiv · 03/20/2011, 01:38 AM

Just pulled the trigger on the BMK 150. I had $215 in my paypal account, so it was the perfect price.

EllisJuan · 03/20/2011, 02:11 AM

Congrats man. I think you will be real happy with it. It is a very well built unit like the rest of the SWC line. Ler me know if you have and questions about it.

Reefer1225 · 03/29/2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trmiv

Trying to decide on a skimmer for my new setup. I have a DAS EX-1 on my current tank, which is excellent, but my new tank is a 60 cube with a 15g sump and possibly a 10g refugium (haven't decided, it would need an external stand to house it). The cube has very little space under it, so I'm trying to optimize my sump space as much as I can. I've narrowed by choices down to the SWC BMK 150 which can be had for $210 shipped, or the SWC 160 cone which I can get at big als with the st pats coupon for about $250 shipped. I'd of course love to save some $$, but if the cone is worth the extra, I'll spend it. Opinions?

What is the "st pats coupon" at Big Als. I might get the SWC 160.

trmiv · 03/29/2011, 01:41 PM

It was the coupon they had on their site for St Patrick's Day. It's expired now.

chgoblknazn · 02/10/2012, 01:01 PM

Would these be too big for a 45 gallon Tank/Sump setup?

karsseboom · 02/10/2012, 02:10 PM

dont buy that skimmer get the super reef octopus skimmers, way better pumps.

chgoblknazn · 02/10/2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karsseboom

dont buy that skimmer get the super reef octopus skimmers, way better pumps.

I just read a few threads on RC that said to skip the Reef Octopus NWB-110 which I think would be similiar. Apparently there are issues with the pumps and most owners have said the skimmer is "decent".

03/19/2011, 03:46 PM	#1
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	SWC BMK 150 vs SWC 160 cone Trying to decide on a skimmer for my new setup. I have a DAS EX-1 on my current tank, which is excellent, but my new tank is a 60 cube with a 15g sump and possibly a 10g refugium (haven't decided, it would need an external stand to house it). The cube has very little space under it, so I'm trying to optimize my sump space as much as I can. I've narrowed by choices down to the SWC BMK 150 which can be had for $210 shipped, or the SWC 160 cone which I can get at big als with the st pats coupon for about $250 shipped. I'd of course love to save some $$, but if the cone is worth the extra, I'll spend it. Opinions?

03/19/2011, 11:45 PM	#5
z3r0ko0l Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: So. Cal Posts: 234	While the 160 seems to be the hot thing right now, I dont think you would be going wrong either way. On a tank your size either should be good and the savings on the 150 would be nice. That said I would prob get the 160. With all the great reviews it seems to be a solid choice. __________________ - carpe noctem Current Tank Info: 120G RR C/Ovrflw Mixed Reef, Converted Euro-fil 240 sump, Apex, Mag 9.5/Mag 5 dual return, BRS Dual Reactor w/GFO & Carbon, Aquamaxx Biopellet Reactor,Coralife 6X UV, 1/6 Chiller, 2x Koralia 3 +1400EVO, Wavemaster Pro, SWC180, MP40Wes, 2 RadionGen2's

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03/19/2011, 04:01 PM	#2
toash Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 85	I just bought the 160 cone from big als as well about two weeks ago....I had heard they were a bit difficult to adjust. My experience was, put it together which is rather simple, installed it, and it skimmed immediately. Been in the tank about ten days and it is a skimming machine......it is very sensitive adjustment wise....especially when a 3 year old like to spin the adjustments.....long story short.....I would think it would be hard to beat for 250..

03/19/2011, 06:30 PM	#3
EllisJuan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 1,366	I was in the same boat as you. I chose the 150 BMK after my research. They share the same pump and I am not completely sold on the supremacy of the cone.

03/19/2011, 11:14 PM	#4
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	Thanks for the replies. EllisJuan, I've seen the pics of your setup, I'm planning a 15g sump in this tank as well. Either of these skimmers seem like they'd fit perfectly in the space.

03/20/2011, 12:49 AM	#6
EllisJuan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 1,366	One of the other main deciding factor for me was that like the OP I was using a 15g sump and the 150 BMK is .5" narrower. The 160 is 9"x7" and the 150 is 9"6.5". This sounds like a negligable difference for most people but when you are trying to fit a skimmer, fuge, and return are in a 15g space is precious. Things are so tight down there the .5" would have honestly made a differece. I really do not think the extra .5" of the 160 cone would have let it fit...even though the chamber was measured to be 7" This joker is packed. I was able to fit qood powerful skimmer, a large enough to be functional fuge, and a decent return section in there. It did take some planning though. Here is two weeks worth of skimmate 2 weeks after break in...nice and thick. Was very easy to dial in.

03/20/2011, 01:38 AM	#7
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	Just pulled the trigger on the BMK 150. I had $215 in my paypal account, so it was the perfect price.

03/20/2011, 02:11 AM	#8
EllisJuan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 1,366	Congrats man. I think you will be real happy with it. It is a very well built unit like the rest of the SWC line. Ler me know if you have and questions about it.

03/29/2011, 01:41 PM	#10
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	It was the coupon they had on their site for St Patrick's Day. It's expired now.

02/10/2012, 01:01 PM	#11
chgoblknazn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chicago - East Pilsen/UIC Area Posts: 642	Would these be too big for a 45 gallon Tank/Sump setup?

02/10/2012, 02:10 PM	#12
karsseboom Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 2,183	dont buy that skimmer get the super reef octopus skimmers, way better pumps.