Introducing the Warner Marine K-2 Cone Skimmer Warner Marine Discuss Introducing the Warner Marine K-2 Cone Skimmer in the Sponsors forums; updates, Steve? Should be scary by now......

[Jon Warner]

updates, Steve? Should be scary by now...

[mpoletti]

Jon- have you done any comparisons between these pumps and an eheim?

[Poseidon]

Mark, in my basic research comparing watts to air, the Sicce comes out WAY ahead. In addition to that the cost of the Eheim itself, though they are awesome pumps, would add $100 if not more to the skimmer.

As for performance, though I have not tried it, I would think based on air draw, the Sicce comes out ahead.

If I had a choice/preference, I would like to see a Laguna based pump on a K2, I know it would be more watts for little if any extra air though. The reason I bring it up is the backwards starts that the Sicce pump has a tendency to do about once every 3 times for me. (You can see difference in the water/bubble height when it happens, it is about an inch lower.) I am thinking that the Laguna could get away from that problem, and have the same or slightly better air/water mix.

I'm sure Jon will chime in though.....

[mpoletti]

Its not so much that, its the fact that the sicce pumps have had to be redesigned more than once; for problems just as you have experienced. They do draw a lot of air compared to their consumption. I guess its more the old saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks".

[Jon Warner]

well.... the Eheim NW moves a lot of water and about 800LPH of air at about 45W. They are silent and reliable which is great but don't make the great numbers.

The Sicce NW is very reliable, replacement parts are cheap and they pull a ton of air for the energy consumed.

I'm sure we'll look at other pumps as time passes... but for now we just can't beat the Sicce in the K-2. Askoll pumps would be the next step for larger bodies/skimmers.

[mpoletti]

Thanks Jon, Those are the numbers that I have heard as well. I have measured out the newer style capped needle wheels and they were right around 900. As you said though, there production numbers limit the application.

Are there any plans for a Recirc model?

Thanks

[Jon Warner]

Originally Posted by marko9

Thanks Jon, Those are the numbers that I have heard as well. I have measured out the newer style capped needle wheels and they were right around 900. As you said though, there production numbers limit the application.

Are there any plans for a Recirc model?

Thanks

We're working on it Mark... hope to have it out later, maybe by September with a different pump (obviously).

[mpoletti]

Thanks Jon. I have been debating with changing a few things on the system after my trip down for IMAC

[VanillaGorila]

Originally Posted by Jon Warner

I just wish I could get a really high quality video of the internals of a K-2 in operation... it's very hard to capture the fine details of the low turbulence with the VBT with a video camera.

here's mine, its not the best video, but you can kind of see it good.

[VanillaGorila]

here's mine with about 6 days worth of skim.

[Nanoreefbro]

Originally Posted by Poseidon

Jon, any issues with start up and the Sicce pump? I have a skimmer that uses 2 of them now, and I have issues with one pump not starting after a power outage. Both use the pinwheels too.

I am still thinking of the K2, but I am shy with the issues I am having now.

I just bought another skimmer with the sicce pumps. I should have gotten this one..

[Poseidon]

I am glad that I made the purchase, regardless of the Sicce pump. It does start 100% of the time, for that I am grateful!

This skimmer WORKS!

[Jon Warner]

Just heard from the boys in the workshop that we may have a few BLEMS with slight cosmetic issues available soon!!!

[Hefton]

Jon,

Any plans for a larger version of the K-2?

Thanks

[aquabooty]

nice cone, just got a alpha 250 need a head to head comparison so far I am not happy with the alpha