ATI Bubble Master Skimmer?

[bag151]

I received one of the first BM300's and ran it for a year on my 400gal system. It did pull a good amount of skim, but in the end I couldn't stand the restart problems with the Sicce pumps. Just be aware of the issues, even after trimming them down you still will run into problems as more threads work their way out of the mesh. I shut down my skimmer every time I feed and I just got sick of blowing into the pumps to get them to restart. Also be very aware of your water height, if it fluctuates at all you will have problems with a stable bubble column. Talk to Greg over at ReefGeek and he will give you some good advice on getting setup. I ended up switching to the Bubble King Supermarin 250 and it was the best decision I ever made, vastly superior skimmer, but then again it is almost 2k in price and not everyone can justify the cost.

 

[gigiba]

I have a BM250 for 2 years now and it has been running great. I am always looking to improve my reef toys and I was looking at the BK SM250 and wondering how much to replace the pump if it died and out of warranty?

 

[bag151]

$850, Red Dragon pumps are the best in trade and you pay for it. I don't foresee replacing my RD pumps anytime soon that's for sure. They run like a dream.

 

[flameangel88]

I have a BM250 for 2 years now and it has been running great. I am always looking to improve my reef toys and I was looking at the BK SM250 and wondering how much to replace the pump if it died and out of warranty?

I just paid $125 plus $10 shipping for one PSK2500 Sicce pump with pw and you're looking at $250 for 2 pumps.

 

[chads120]

The pin wheels do not come with the magnet. Just the wheel, you pop the old one off and install the new one. There is a plastic key ring on the impeller side that you take off.

 

[chads120]

I am also curious about the water level that you guys have your skimmers in. I have mine in 8" of water, but have been told that a lower level will increase the air draw.

 

[flameangel88]

The pin wheels do not come with the magnet. Just the wheel, you pop the old one off and install the new one. There is a plastic key ring on the impeller side that you take off.

Thanks for the info.

I am also curious about the water level that you guys have your skimmers in. I have mine in 8" of water, but have been told that a lower level will increase the air draw.

I've read various replies stating 7" being the ideal setting. I somehow mis-calculated on the build-stand for in-tank use and ended up with only 6" but it was pull great till the mesh went. The new pump with the pw is definitely not pulling even 1/3 of what it used to with the mesh. I don't know if there's a break-in period for the pump but the new pump been running for a week now.

I'm going to look for another pw for the old pump. Any suggestions on which is the best one out there?

 

[chads120]

I think there is a break in period but don't know how long. Did you get a large purple pinwheel?

 

[flameangel88]

No, still finalizing to see which is the best one I can buy where I don't want to have to do this again.

So far from all the reading the purple wheel is up there.

 

[brasa]

How's the atb 840 skimmer works on 180 gal tank dos anybody know's?

 

[reefer96]

I just installed 2 Large Purple Pin Wheels on my ATI BM 250, and I have to say that I should of done this a long time ago. Each pump is hooked up to its own Air Meter and each pump is hovering at 38-40 SCFH, in a depth of 7.5 inches of water. I've been running Meshwheels for 1.5 years :hammer:

:dance:

 

[flameangel88]

Purple pw it is.

 

[chads120]

I think you will be happy with the ppw. Much better than the stock pin wheel. Plus you don't have to worry about start up issues. I shut my pumps off every day after feeding for two hours and they start up every time.

 

[rkaires]

How's the atb 840 skimmer works on 180 gal tank dos anybody know's?

It may be better to ask in the ATB forum.

 

[pwilk20]

I just installed 2 Large Purple Pin Wheels on my ATI BM 250, and I have to say that I should of done this a long time ago. Each pump is hooked up to its own Air Meter and each pump is hovering at 38-40 SCFH, in a depth of 7.5 inches of water. I've been running Meshwheels for 1.5 years :hammer:

:dance:

I have been running my BM250 for ~2 years, would like to upgrade to the pin wheel. So you say the performance is about the same with the pin wheel? How much air did the mesh pull? Thanks.

Paul.

 

[chads120]

Don't quote me but I think the factory mesh is rated to pull a little less than 38. Somewhere around 32-36. I have not checked my pin-wheels flow but I think the pin-wheels are rated for about 32-36 also. There are variables but I think you will be happy with the pin-wheels. The only difference that I noticed was that start up was no longer an issue. But I am no expert, I can only tell you my own experience.

 

[Big Boy69]

I believe the mesh pulls more but the needle wheels are very close to them and there are no startup issues.

Is anyone looking to buy a BM250? I have one with the mesh wheels and the needle wheels and it's the newer style about 4 months old.

 

[boca rat]

I just switched to a PPW on a BM160 and no restart problems as yet. Fingers crossed.

 

[burnah]

anyone here has problems with their powercords too? the hole in the skimmerbody (160) is too small for the cord to fit in without beeing squeezed. the outer layer of the isolation is corroded quite fast by seawater so this makes 2 points where this flaw strikes: the place where the cord leaves the pump body (from twisting and turning when taking skimmer apart) and the place where the cord goes through the acrylic.

my skimmer is one year in use and lost the outer isolation on both places. my dealer sent it in to ATI, they sent it back and said it wasnt their fault. this came unexpected as i didnt treat the pump with less care than other reef appliances which are still ok after 4-5 years.

in my opinion this is a production flaw. if you have experienced similar, please post your experience, also with ATI customer support and send them and email with the report of the problem as this needs attention: support@atiaquaristik.com.

 

[burnah]

ok seems there is a wholesaler between my dealer and ATI which refused to replace the faulty pump.

ATI support granted me a replacement! very friendly guys, wish this had happened before so my tank would not have suffered from 2 weeks without a skimmer.

apart from that incidence i can totally recommend that skimmer! easy to clean, skims like a charm!