After obsessing for almost a year about up grading my protein skimmer I finally pulled the trigger. Due to my small sump and small skimmer section, my choices have been very limited. Although I would love to have a nice BK, the lottery gods have not shown their grace upon me. My bio-load is large for my 58 gallon tank and I tend to over feed. I do weekly water changes but my skimmer really needed upgrading.

I’ve been following a couple of threads about Salt Water Connection releasing a new model of cone skimmers several weeks ago. There were a number of features that I liked about these skimmers. So, after a number of e-mails with their US reseller, Reefflitration.com, I settled on the SWS Xtreme 160 Cone Skimmer.

The 160 factory specs are:

9x7x20 Footprint
Altman 2500 pump, pulling 700lph of air at 28watts
Quick release neck
Rated for up to a 150 gallon tank. Heavy bio-load is 90 gallons


Neat features:

Fully able to disassemble the skimmer for cleaning.
A nice gate and air valve control.
Precision control knobs with indicators.
Molded mesh wheel impeller design
Collection cup has a drain
4 rubber feet attached to the bottom plate to keep the skimmer quit in the sump


Packaging was good with heavy foam and peanuts. The skimmer was wrapped in a plastic bag. Included in the box was a set of instructions. I still sent an e-mail to Reeffiltration for some set-up tips.
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii102/drouner/160-1.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii102/drouner/160-2.jpg

The collection cup was was the same size as my Octopus NW-150 cup.
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii102/drouner/160-3.jpg

Skimmer disassembled w/ a good shot of the air and water control knobs.
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii102/drouner/160-5.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii102/drouner/160-6.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii102/drouner/160-4.jpg

The skimmer has been in the running since 4:30 this afternoon. I've got it dialed in sort of a break in mode. I already see a nice foam head and the foam is discolored. I'll post an update in the morning as the skimmer continues to settle in.

It is very hard to find a cone skimmer under $300 but from your post it is look like a well build one. I am try to get one for my 75 but concern about quietness and performance. Your experience will be appreciated.

I keep forgetting to take pictures of the NOG! But after a week I'm very pleased with it's preformance. I'm trying to dial it in to get a more dry foam, but the NOG it's pulling out is nice smelly stuff. In fact my wife says my office stinks now! LOL!

It is whisper quite. I've not gotten around to putting doors on my stand, so it's wide open. I work out my home office which is where my DT is located. I was worried about potential noise, but only hear a slight whisper. But that is it.

There are other reviews out there and everyone is happy with theirs. That, the cost and the service I got from the US seller made the decision easy.