Arkayology Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I am having a heck of a time with my swc 160 skimmer right now. It will start up for about a min and then stall out. Unplugging and replugging does nothing. I blew air into the tube as some other threads have suggested and nothing. I take it out of the water and plug it in with no water for a second and it starts. I put it back in my sump, I plug it in and blow air down the tube, and it starts only to quit moments later. Anyone have any insight? Link to comment
imisky Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 is something jamming the impeller? If not check the hybrid mesh wheel and see if it has any broken pins. A friend of mine had the same issue and found a broken pin on the hybrid mesh. Also check to see if the ceramic shaft is broken. I found myself buying a bubble magus pinwheel for the ATMAN 2500 and its much more reliable compared to the hybrid mesh in the SWCs Link to comment
Arkayology Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 is something jamming the impeller? If not check the hybrid mesh wheel and see if it has any broken pins. A friend of mine had the same issue and found a broken pin on the hybrid mesh. Also check to see if the ceramic shaft is broken. I found myself buying a bubble magus pinwheel for the ATMAN 2500 and its much more reliable compared to the hybrid mesh in the SWCs I checked the impeller and nothing is jamming it inside the pump and nothing is broken. I was advised by SWC to trimmed the mesh 2mm. I did this to no effect. The pump continues to start up and fail after a minute. I am deciding now if I want to replace the pump on my own dime or ditch the SWC 160 for a reef octo. Link to comment
disaster999 Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 seems like a pump problem to me. should see if you can get it replaced under warranty. or a new pump. they shouldnt cost much Link to comment
imisky Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I checked the impeller and nothing is jamming it inside the pump and nothing is broken. I was advised by SWC to trimmed the mesh 2mm. I did this to no effect. The pump continues to start up and fail after a minute. I am deciding now if I want to replace the pump on my own dime or ditch the SWC 160 for a reef octo. SWC usually takes care of their customers fairly well. The reef octo wouldnt really be much of an upgrade from the 160. The bubble blasters are a better pump overall but when that thing breaks your looking at $100+ replacement vs something like 30 for an atman 2500 motor block. I've played with a good 12-15 SWC/BM skimmers now and the pumps arent the best but they can be work horses. Out of the skimmers I've played with 2 had issues with startup 1 being a broken shaft, while the other had a broken hybrid pin. What I would probably do is see what SWC can do for you first before jumping ship. I use an SWC 160 cone on my 40g system and its been nothing but a reliable workhorse for me. Link to comment
dh350twin Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Wow i have had mine for over a month now no problems....knock on wood! Good luck. Link to comment
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