just got a swc xtreme 200 protein skimmer

[crazybizzle]

just got a swc xtreme 200 protein skimmer i noticed some of u guys on here have one or the similar brand does any1 have pictures on how u have it setup or have u done any modification to it. any pics and info would be great  tahnks

 

[teebone110]

Hey biz,

how r u liking your skimmer?

where did you get it from?

T

 

[shayneh]

I'm all about supporting Canadian Business but SWC has been a hot topic for the conservationists for a few years now. Just thought I would add this link so folks can make their own decisions about this company.

http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=Enref=http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=01BCAA43-4E8F-46EA-B640-C045DC876E8D

There is more about them on the net and I have no clue as to what transpired from the charges but I question the ethics of any company that is involved in this sort of activity. What's to say they stop there? Mabye they exploit small children and pay them pennies to assemble their skimmers also?

CrazyB don't want you to think I'm beating you up...most people wouldn't think that a company and it's owner would resort to this sort of stuff. I have heard they are great knock offs of another (more expensive) brand of skimmer and I'm all for saving some moohlah also with my Bubble Magus....LOL!

 

[crazybizzle]

Love the skimmer its been running about 2 months now with the mesh mod its a beast big time holds probaly like 4 cups or more of waste if u dont use the drain plug. bought it used off a guy so i dont know what shayneh talking about with ethics and all but all i know is if it works and the price is good i dont care of foreign ppl are making a dollar a day making them.  Only thing tee i might do is switch to using my aqua c urchin because the swc is so big in my fuge i cant pull it out without disassembling it and all and it takes like a hour to get it to fit back in.. Overall thou it is amazing definatly worth. What i paid for it.

 

[shayneh]

Sorry crazybizzle please don't take offense to my post....I have heard they are great skimmers and are good value....just want to spread the info so potential consumers can make informed choices. If someone who cares about reefkeeping in environmentally conscientious ways was thinking of ordering one I just felt they should know.....Not trying to bash or judge at all.... 

 

[crazybizzle]

i didnt take offense at all..no biggie

 

[teebone110]

It's too bad to hear about SWC's legal problems, was this ever proven in court?

Based on a lot of the reviews, their products are pretty good quality.

Hey biz, glad to hear you have your skimmer tuned in and working well!

I have a SWC-160 cone in its way :

 

[teebone110]

I just found this information on a different board about SWC skimmers..

They are made by the same company in China, Reef Octopus. SWC/Saltwater Connections is the distributor for Canada and tagged the skimmer with his name. CoralVue is the USA distriutor for USA.

I was a dealer for a good while and have spoken to the manufacturer in China, the USA distributor and the Canada distributor.

They are the same skimmers with a different name attached to them.

Sounds like this could make a lot of sense.

 

[daleomilla]

they are a good skimmer glad you got one you will be happy with it.

 

[shayneh]

Phew...Thanks for understanding crazybizzle.

My curosity got the best of me and I wanted to hide from work for a while today so I googled it for a few minutes. He was charged under CITES which regulates importation of endangered species. The incident even was mentioned in a WWF/IUCN newsletter (no it's not wrestling)

http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/globalmarkets/wildlifetrade/WWFBinaryitem9939.pdf  

My understanding from reading some other forums is that they "SWC" paid a hefty fine prior to court proceedings and then set out to bury the matter. Other reefing forums have called for a boycott of SWC and some even turned it into an anti-Canada or Canada vs. US border debate. If someone wanted to find out what really happened I'm sure the information would be available throught Environment Canada under the Freedom of Information Act...... Turns out I'm not that ambitious!

 

[teebone110]

C'mon Shayne, it's Friday and it sounds like your ambitious enough to hide from work a little longer

 

[shayneh]

LMAO! No the boss (me) cracked the whip and I have meetings to prepare for tonight (joys of a job that requires clients not being at theirs)....plus I need to figure out what to have (that is healthy) for family dinner night and that consumes more brain power than I care to admit.
Safe to say, even if I were motivated, I wouldn't be very successful getting ahold of any government employees this "LATE" on a Friday afternoon....LOL!