ATI BM200 and BM250

[kdblove_99]

I have a 180 gallon and right now i have a ER RS180 on it.


Would a BM 200 be much of an improvement or not enough?

Would a BM250 be a huge improvement?

What pump does the BM use?

heard they had kinks with the BM are they worked out?

Thanks guys

 

[klam114]

Re: ATI BM200 and BM250

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9905250#post9905250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
I have a 180 gallon and right now i have a ER RS180 on it.

Would a BM 200 be much of an improvement or not enough?
Read through the BM info threads, I don't think the ER RS180 can touch the BM200 in performance. In terms of built quality, the ER would be stronger, but the BM200 is adequate built as it won't break with normal use.

Would a BM250 be a huge improvement?
IMHO owning a BM200, I don't think you need a BM250. Save yourself some money if you decide on buying a BM skimmer.

What pump does the BM use?
Sicci pump, the air draw is just as strong or stronger than the Eheim 1260 needlewheel pump, but uses about 1/2 the electricity.

heard they had kinks with the BM are they worked out?
If you talk to Ed at KM Associates Int'l, I think he would say that the kinks have been worked out on the power behind the pump and matched to the skimmer body. The fine tunning and adjustment is complete on the BM250, but the BM200 could use a Deltec/ER air valve along with the new gate valve kit. From my experience with my BM200, I would agree that the lastest version is probably the best version produced to date.

Thanks guys

 

[kdblove_99]

Thanks,

i was looking for that info thread gotg about 30 pages in and didnt see so was wondering if i missed it

 

[klam114]

Excuse the typo in first response. I don't think ER can touch the performance of the BM. Here's part 2 of the thread and this is 40 pages:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=976704&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

 

[hahnmeister]

The RS180? No, cant match the BM air throughput or turbulence reduction due to the bubble plate. A larger recirc like a H&S A200-1260 would be a good match for the BM200 though, maybe the 250 even.

 

[wolfpack]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9905909#post9905909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
The RS180? No, cant match the BM air throughput or turbulence reduction due to the bubble plate. A larger recirc like a H&S A200-1260 would be a good match for the BM200 though, maybe the 250 even.

So these bubble masters are seriously that powerful??? How is the noise level on the succi pumps? Silent, near silent, quiet, or small lawnmower like Iwaki..

 

[Creetin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9905909#post9905909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
The RS180? No, cant match the BM air throughput or turbulence reduction due to the bubble plate. A larger recirc like a H&S A200-1260 would be a good match for the BM200 though, maybe the 250 even.

I would say a h&s A200 2x 1260 or a A200 3x 2001 is more comparable to the BM 250. The Bm250 still has a lead on them, But they are the closest match. IMO

 

[hahnmeister]

Yeah, that sounds about right creetin. I pegged the A200-1260 to match the BM200... I think thats right on (BM200 gets about 900lph air, and so does the H&S A200-1260... the BM has the bubble plate, but the H&S is a recirc and much taller). The A200 3x2001, or even the 2x1260 would be a match to the BM250 air wise... but the H&S, like I said, is a recirc and much taller (30" rather than the BM's 22").

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

Well, for half the price, the BM 200 seems the way to go unless you absolutely need an external skimmer.

 

[kdblove_99]

What kind of improvement would i see if i mesh modded my Euroreef?

 

[hahnmeister]

20-30% increase in air output if you have a Gen-X 4100 on it.

 

[klam114]

I've heard my local dealer say many times that the BM200 is closest in performance to the Deltec AP701. Most likely the H&S A200 and Deltec AP851 is a better performer than the BM200. I remember seeing air draw on the BM200 at 1,100lph when it was testing at my dealer's place. I've owned and used the BM200 and that would be strong enough for your 180g setup.

wolfpack, the pump on the BM200 is quiet. slightly more air draw noise and vibrations on the BM250 when I saw it running, but still pretty quiet. I don't believe that any pump is silent, but that is very subjective.

 

[BreadmanMike]

This is what scares me away from the BM's...

Only a 6 month warranty on the pumps. I know there hasn't been any pump problems yet, but what if...?

 

[hahnmeister]

Well, then they have to offer replacement pumps! That 6 month warranty is kinda short... esp considering that the Sicce approved ones made for Tunze (same pump really) have a 2 year warranty.

 

[klam114]

I heard 90 days warranty on ATi skimmers including the pumps, not 6 months. I also heard that pumps only available as replacements, not for general public resale, not even an extra one to keep on the shelf. I could be wrong and this is not RG's policy, but just my local dealer's story talk.

 

[BreadmanMike]

(ATI-Sicce pump covered by a 6 month manufacturer's warranty.)

Taken from ReefGeek's site.

 

[kdblove_99]

yeah, I have the Gen x 4100.

what is the lph air for the Gen-x 4100 and what do you think it would be with the mesh mod?

 

[klam114]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9910528#post9910528 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aquaticman74
(ATI-Sicce pump covered by a 6 month manufacturer's warranty.)

Taken from ReefGeek's site.

I better let Ed know as he's been telling everyone 90 days warranty as that is what is written in the user's manual that comes with each skimmer. In reality, any problem with the skimmer body should be discovered within the first 90 days and with the pump, most manufacturer problems do show up early, on rare occasions, later.

kdb, just bite the bullet and treat yourself to a real skimmer, the BM200.

 

[hahnmeister]

Stock the 4100 is about 900lph (stock ER that is). Mesh modded? Over 1100lph.

 

[sjm817]

I got your PM.
I had an ER RS250, and now have the BM250 on a 180G, ~ 250G total volume.

I like both of the "250s". The ER build quality is a heck of a lot better. I HATE the pump connections ATI uses. The ER pulled darker skimate, the ATI, more but wetter skimate. The ATI is a lot shorter if clearance is an issue. I've had no issues with outfllow adjustment like some have. Sometimes, the pumps dont like to start up. Overall, the BM250 has been a good performer. I never did a real "scientific study" on skimate production.