Bubble blaster vs Askoll pumps?

[tkeracer619]

So... which one is better?

I am gonna buy next week and want to know.

I wish someone who owns both would just tell us. I value the opinion of vendors but want some independent reviews. The hurricone has had this pump for what 6 months (maybe im wrong here)? People please talk about it and stop being greedy with the info =]

Maybe people who have askolls don't need a new pump so they have no clue and the people with bubble blasters don't need to modify so they don't care.

 

[hammmerhead]

So... which one is better?

I am gonna buy next week and want to know.

I wish someone who owns both would just tell us. I value the opinion of vendors but want some independent reviews. The hurricone has had this pump for what 6 months (maybe im wrong here)? People please talk about it and stop being greedy with the info =]

Maybe people who have askolls don't need a new pump so they have no clue and the people with bubble blasters don't need to modify so they don't care.

Well they are both obviously good performers as everyone has seen what they can pull. The big question here is which one has the best longevity? If the history of many top end skimmer builders using the Askoll setup doesnt point you towards it, then jump on the cheaper BB pump.

 

[Mr.leee]

yesterday i mod my msx200 with a bb3000, you do need to buy a 1'id with a 3/4thread pvc to make it work. the pump takes up a lot of space with the adparter and the pump itself is a lot bigger, you will need to place something under the pump as it will tip the skimmer over (the bb3000 is heavyer). its been only one day but the pump seem to be working just like the stock pump with heavy mesh mod...you would have to close the skimmer to rise the water in the body...bubble size and water coming out seem to be the same. but there is no start up problems and it make less noise.

 

[tpenn187]

i helped a friend with his octo 200. the bb3000 came with all the pieces that were needed to make the transition. i would contact reefspecialty to see if they have the adapter. the threaded piece from the bb3000 pump can be removed and replaced with one that is the same size diameter as the union on the body of the skimmer. that way it wont take all that much more room than the sicce pump. the only thing i didnt like was that the bb3000 did not touch the bottom of the sump like you said.

 

[Mr.leee]

here a pic of how i did it...not sure if its right..

blue are parts that came with the pump
red is the 1id pcv with a 3/4thread end

 

[tpenn187]

the piece that they sent will replace the piece that you unscrewed.

 

[Mr.leee]

iam noob, its a direct fit.
1)here a pic of all the piece that came with the pump.

2) if you are going to do a direct fit on the stock adapter on the skimmer you will have to remove the thread on the pump.

3) replace it with the 3/4 thread

and your set to go

skimmer is still almost close (looks like 4/5 close) to rise the bubble to the neck...is eveyone the same?

 

[tangtang clown]

So far I like the BB3000 Octo X 200 combo, though it isn't getting the air draw I expected. With the 3/4" inlet of the 200, I am getting about 35scfh. A fellow reefer (CD) is getting 50scfh with the 1" inlet of the Vertex 180. I unhooked my pump from my skimmer and I got 45scfh, so I put 3 layers of mesh on top of the pins and I get 50scfh with no start up probs.

Plancto, which way did you decide?

Mr. Leee, how is that "Sicce Blaster Skimmer" working? I can't wait to try it myself.

 

[tpenn187]

i got 45scfh on a buddies extreme 200 w/ bb3000. i am getting my bb5000 thursday, crossing fingers, to hook up to the octo extreme 250. i am a little concerned about the 3/4" inlet.

 

[plancton]

Plancto, which way did you decide?

.

It's gonna take a while my friend hasn't received his alpha cone 250 until next week, then measurements are going to be taken and then it could take about 3 weeks to finish the skimmer, and then try it and I have no way to measure the SCFH I can only tell you my results, my opinions, compare the original vs the replica with bb5000 and make videos.

 

[tangtang clown]

i got 45scfh on a buddies extreme 200 w/ bb3000. i am getting my bb5000 thursday, crossing fingers, to hook up to the octo extreme 250. i am a little concerned about the 3/4" inlet.

Livenow has the 5000 on a 250 with the 3/4" inlet. I guess the other option would be to drill a separate 1" hole and put a uniseal.

What meter were you using to measure your scfh? I have been using a 4 inch RMA Dwyer. I think it may need to be replaced so I can get a more accurate reading.

 

[tpenn187]

the good old rmb-53-ssv. he was hoping for more, but then i told him that 45scfh on that body for an initial reading is awesome. a few weeks later he fills up his cup about every 5 days on an approximate 150 gal system, med bioload. i need to go back over there to see if the number has changed any.

 

[Mr.leee]

will i was not to happy about the bb3000, so i t the skimmer with the bb3000 and sicce together on the msx200.

scfh is perty low, might have to do with all them adpating part L0L.

bb3000 w/3layer mesh = 43-45scfh
sicce w/4layer mesh = 35-37scfh

total of 78scfh ?? but some bubble do esc the skimmer so a little less then that number...

i do get about 60-70% more skimmate with both pumps

 

[tangtang clown]

will i was not to happy about the bb3000, so i t the skimmer with the bb3000 and sicce together on the msx200.

scfh is perty low, might have to do with all them adpating part L0L.

bb3000 w/3layer mesh = 43-45scfh
sicce w/4layer mesh = 35-37scfh

total of 78scfh ?? but some bubble do esc the skimmer so a little less then that number...

i do get about 60-70% more skimmate with both pumps

DO you have a list of parts and sizes?

 

[Mr.leee]

i think these are the right number...
-tee was 1in slip,slip,slip.
-1id with a 3/4thread to slip over the tee into the skimmer. with the smaller threads that came with the bb3000 pump.
-use the bigger adpater that came with the bb3000, the 1in tee will slip right in.
-the sicce, the threads at the end comes off. i found a 1in slip with a thread end to slip over the tee, but i dont remember the the thread size on sicce.

you have to start the sicce pump 1st then the bb3000, pilpe almost open. i also mesh the bb3000 with 3layer and the sicce with 4layer

 

[tpenn187]

that is a little frankinsteinish! you are exceeding what the body can handle though, if it is difficult to manage a stable water line in the body, just lower the water line in the sump. that might help. how long were you running the bb-3000 on your system before you added the sicce?

 

[Mr.leee]

I ran the bb3000 for only 2 days, it was not much improverment. it might of been to soon, but when i add the sicce i saw a big differents. manage a stable water line in the body is easy, iam at 8.5in

has anyone try the bb5000 on a msx200?

 

[tangtang clown]

Mr lee, how did you get the slip fittings to stay on? What the black stuff between the fitting?

 

[Mr.leee]

Electrical Tape, i didnt want to glue the Tee onto the adpating part on the bb3000. but iam try to get a 1in Y pvc... hoplefully i can get one by monday, ill udate you guys on it.

 

[tangtang clown]

I used a 3/4" tee and some tephlon tape. Looks like I will have to switch to electrical cause bubbles coming out of one of the connections. It is a beast of a skimmer though. Are you using 1" or 3/4"?