CSC150 Skimmer: My opinion

[warriorcookie]

Sorry this has taken so long guys, but here is my experience with the CSC150.



Right off the bat, I want to give a huge shout out to Colby and Gustavo at Bayside Corals. The advice I get from both of them cannot be overstated no matter how I try. Every time I've had an important decision to make, their advice has been paramount in making the right decision and this skimmer was no exception. Excellent advice as always. (I hope I can say this here...)

First off, some info on the skimmer:
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=91201

Basically, those of you familiar with Skimz brand of skimmers will recognize these. The one I bought is an SK181, and they replaced the stock pumps (the only week point from what I read) with a Sicce PSK100.

The Stats:
CSC-150 (formally SK181)
Technical Data:
SICCE PSK1000 (110V/60Hz)
0.225A/19W
Air intake: 660 l/h
Dimension:
L 210 x W 210 x H 535mm
Cone base diameter (mm):180
Tank volume rating:
150 gallon++

Here's a short video of me unboxing it (be gentle, it's my first video review. Thank my wife though for holding the camera):
http://youtu.be/TqJoaxdAKw0

I was immediately impressed with the packaging. This thing could be tossed off a bridge and survive.

It comes pre-assembled and ready to make nog. All you have to do is attach the cup, put the air silencer on, and plug it in.

I did take it apart though so I could give it a vinegar bath.

Here's another video covering some of the features I thought were worth pointing out:
http://youtu.be/0-7fmRoKWXc

I should say that I have a 120gal tank, mostly LPS. I wouldn't call my bioload high, but I have had a major nutrient issue I have been battling for a few months. I was using an Euroreef RS100. I think it was undersized for my tank and that was contributing to my nutrient issues.

Back to the new skimmer, I basically plugged it in and did a basic set up before going to bed. First impression, very quiet. I love the water adjustment. The air silencer is easy to adjust too.

The next morning it had a nice foam starting to form:
http://youtu.be/8blPNxSDo_I (Sorry about the VVS...)
I started getting some wet foam that night.

There was a few days were I didn't get anything out of it, but that was my fault. I dosed some reef-booster that made crazy foam for the next 24 hours and then put some "New Era Marine Grazer" (awesome stuff btw) in for the next day and a half which killed my foam all-together until the fish finished eating it.

As time has gone on, the foam has been getting dryer and dryer. It has stayed very consistant. I've really only tweaked it a couple times. This thing has been pulling some really thick stinky crap out of the tank.

This is before emptying it the first time after 4 (maybe 5) days:



Here it is after 5 more days:




Overall I've been extremely impressed. It was absolutely money well spent and my next skimmer most likely will be a CSC Skimmer again! (Only when I get a bigger tank hahaha)

Thanks again to Bayside Corals for the advice and support. And thanks to Aqua-Digital for this great skimmer!