AP701 or Bk Mini 200?

[DeltecRules]

Which one would you take? I am only deciding on these two. I just sold my Deltec AP600 and want to upgrade. Looking to order tommorrow.

Mini Bubble King 200
Base plate : 9.06" x 9.06"
For tanks from 135 - 265 gallons
1000 L/H air - 528 GPH Water
Total height : 21.65" 38 Watt/h

or

Deltec AP701
Capacity: Normal Stocking: 380g
Heavy Stocking: 250g
Pump: Eheim 1260
Total Power Usage: 52 watts
Air Intake: 950 L/H
H2O Throughput: 475gph
Dimensions: Length: 15" Width: 12.25" Height: 23 "
Cylinder: 8"
Input/Return Pipe: Height: 10.5"/10.5"
Input/Return Union: .75"/1"

 

[Coralfreak]

Thats going to be a tough one to answer, as I don't know of many who even have a BK mini yet. My mini 180 will be here Friday. Id go for the BK mini myself

 

[JRaquatics]

I would also go with the BK but this is not from experience. It is just if I had a choice and the $ I would go BK. If you don't like it, it will not be hard to sell that's for sure.

The only problem I see if you went with a BK is you will have to change your name....

 

[Jim_S]

I'd be much happier with the Deltec, but that is because I would prefer to have to disassemble anything to get to my skimmer pump. I also don't like all the extra pieces involved in the construction of the BK mini. Too many things to break/go wrong. I like to keep it simple, and the Deltec is just that. And the other issue I have with "new" products is that they just aren't tried and true. No one is the states has been running this thing in their sump for any extended period of time.

Sure its shiny and pretty, with red PVC and all, but for that kind of money, I wouldn't roll the dice.

Just my opinion

And you won't have to do another name change either.......

 

[DeltecRules]

Thanks guys!! I been looking at both. The AP701 has been out for a while and has an excellent reputation. The BK mini is new from Royal exclusiv but they been making top notch skimmers for a while too and have excellent craftsmanship. The replacement eheim from deltec will be $500 and some change. The BK mini 200 replacement pump has been priced at $780!! Makes the eheim look like a bargain. I seen a pic of what the mini 200 can do. Check out the nog shot on mini 200. Pretty impressive!!

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1186162&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

 

[Coralfreak]

I wouldn't get to concerned about the cost of the replacement pumps, if cared for, either pump has the potential to last for many, many years. RE has a very good rep, as does Deltec. I opted for the BK mini because Ive always wanted to try one out. Ive had several Deltecs, time to see what a RE Bubble King can do

Ive seen that nog shot, its VERY impressive!

 

[DeltecRules]

Hmmm I might be leaning towards the BK mini 200. Now I have to figure out how to plumb my sump outside since I don't think the BK mini will fit under the stand. This skimmer if I buy it will be going in a 29 aga tank as a sump.

 

[jtarmitage]

Why would you need to move the sump? Your AP600 is bigger than the mini 200.
My opinion is the BK. I have a Deluxe 200 and it is awsome. I also just ordered the mini 160 for my 60, so I may be biased.

 

[Bebo77]

Deltec... now that Bk skimmers prices have dropped it makes me wonder what they are "really" worth...

 

[Jim_S]

I just want to add that I am sure/ there is no doubt in my mind that the mini's are a great performing skimmer. The shots of it in acton are very nice. I just don't like the practicality.

Either one will be a very nice addition.

Jim

 

[JCTewks]

Are you putting this on your 55 gal lisited in your Bio?

If so, just wondering why you are oversizing the skimmer so much, as BK is pretty spot on with their ratings, and the deltec is rated at 7 times your tank. I know you said you were only looking at these 2 skimmers, but there has got to be something out there that will not be way oversized for your system.

 

[DeltecRules]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10664873#post10664873 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtarmitage
Why would you need to move the sump? Your AP600 is bigger than the mini 200.
My opinion is the BK. I have a Deluxe 200 and it is awsome. I also just ordered the mini 160 for my 60, so I may be biased.

I had my AP600 on the side of the tank because it would not fit underneath my stand. I would have trouble getting the cup off of the BK mini 200 if it was under my current stand. Thats why I am going to set up a 29 gallon aga tank as a sump on my 55 gallon tank, until my 120 gallon comes in. Right now my tank is skimmerless and I have some high end fairy wrasses in the tank. I hope if I decide on the BK mini 200 they will have them still in stock. I don't want to jepordize their health. Premiumaquatics is not to far and when I have ordered stuff from them it was delivered the next day.

 

[DeltecRules]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10664903#post10664903 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bebo77
Deltec... now that Bk skimmers prices have dropped it makes me wonder what they are "really" worth...

I know but I been dying to try one for a while even before I bought my deltec. But after seeing the pump issues and lack of customer service I steered away from them at the time. But now they have PA carrying the skimmer line. PA is one of my favorite online vendors and will be carrying replacement parts and stuff. Ill sleep it off tonight and decide tomorrow morning!!

 

[jman77]

neither , DAS EX-3 , lol

 

[DeltecRules]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10664909#post10664909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimdogg187
I just want to add that I am sure/ there is no doubt in my mind that the mini's are a great performing skimmer. The shots of it in acton are very nice. I just don't like the practicality.

Either one will be a very nice addition.

Jim

I was really leaning towards the AP701 but I would like to use all that air instead of only using 650 LPH of air. Heck if I am going to pay $1130 for it I would like all of that 950 LPH of air. If you open the air valve wide open it can overflow. But I like the ease of an external skimmer though. I hate decisions like this.

 

[TitansFan]

My concern is how hard is it to get to the pump? Will the whole body of the skimmer have to be removed to service it? I see the advantage of space saving having it inside the skimmer, but for practical purposes it seems hard to maintenance. I would not even figure in pump replacement as a decision factor.

If you do buy the BK please let us know about how hard it is to get to the pump.

 

[DeltecRules]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10664921#post10664921 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JCTewks
Are you putting this on your 55 gal lisited in your Bio?

If so, just wondering why you are oversizing the skimmer so much, as BK is pretty spot on with their ratings, and the deltec is rated at 7 times your tank. I know you said you were only looking at these 2 skimmers, but there has got to be something out there that will not be way oversized for your system.

This is going on a 120 gallon with a 30 gallon sump. Just temporarily sticking it on my 55 gallon until I upgrade. LOL if i was keeping the 55 gallon I would stick either with my AP600 or a BK mini 160.

 

[DeltecRules]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10665074#post10665074 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitansFan
My concern is how hard is it to get to the pump? Will the whole body of the skimmer have to be removed to service it? I see the advantage of space saving having it inside the skimmer, but for practical purposes it seems hard to maintenance. I would not even figure in pump replacement as a decision factor.

If you do buy the BK please let us know about how hard it is to get to the pump.

I was reading on the premiumaquatics forum that it only take 5 minutes to take it apart and put together again. But it does look like a pain in the rear though. Look on page at 8.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1168748&perpage=25&pagenumber=8

 

[abark]

Well, I got my BK mini 180 tonight and I must say the craftsmanship is beyond anything I have seen in this hobby. The fit of all the parts is truly impressive. If cost was no object where I work I would have all my parts CNC'd but unfortunately I have to deal with costs. I can say no cost was spared in the construction of this skimmer. The skimmer cup alone weighs as much as the body of my ER 5-3 skimmer body with cup.

Unfortunately, I miscalculated how it would fit in my sump and I have to redo my plumbing to get this in there. I did run it in a tub of fresh water to get an idea of how it sounded and all I could hear is the air being sucked in through the silencer. I am going to make up water change water tomorrow and will see what the bubble production looks like then. Not sure if I will be able to tackle the plumbing on my tank this weekend so it might have to wait until next weekend.

Never had any Deltec products so I cannot offer a comparison but from my limited exposure tonight to the BK I absolutely do not regret my purchase.

 

[Bebo77]

lol.. just dont lose a screw.. lol