Bubble King & "Mini" Bubble King Skimmers Coming Soon - New Lower Pricing!

[Fliger]

With all due respect - your numbers and results regarding Eheim driven skimmers is incorrect. I've run about five of them, and most of us have MUCH better results with the 875-1,000LPH. The vast majority of us do not tune them down - we've tried and it results in lesser performance. There are a couple exceptions, like the one I just ordered - the A200 2x1260 can truly only handle about 1,500LPH but most handle much more and skim much better not dialed back. We just get a little added benefit since the 60hz draws about 30% more (air or water, whichever you prefer). You'll just have to trust experience rather than theory on this one. Eheims on 50hz are advertised between 600-700 by Deltec/H&S, but I've read several posts by European users who say they are definitely maxing out around 650LPH - where I have measured them between 875-1,000.

Moonpod and I were early BK users and we were pretty sure the original RD's were pulling more than advertised, similar to Eheims. We had both owned multiple Eheim skimmers, had air meters and pretty much could eyeball what X amt of LPH looked like, and it seemed like my RD2000 pulled more than 2,000LPH and his RD2500 was outperforming the spec as well. Klaus can probably chime in if the first RD's were adjusted to run on 60hz (tuning down).

 

[sjm817]

I've owned several internal and externals. Some with standpipes, some with valves. Any internal I've had will overflow if you close off the air. You dramatically increase the amount of H20 that is pumped into the body with the air shut off which causes the water to rise higher and overflow the cup. Of course, this has no affect on a recirc since it doesn't change the amount of H20 that moves through the body.

 

[Jeremy B.]

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[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10818741#post10818741 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fliger
With all due respect - your numbers and results regarding Eheim driven skimmers is incorrect. I've run about five of them, and most of us have MUCH better results with the 875-1,000LPH. The vast majority of us do not tune them down - we've tried and it results in lesser performance. There are a couple exceptions, like the one I just ordered - the A200 2x1260 can truly only handle about 1,500LPH but most handle much more and skim much better not dialed back. We just get a little added benefit since the 60hz draws about 30% more (air or water, whichever you prefer). You'll just have to trust experience rather than theory on this one. Eheims on 50hz are advertised between 600-700 by Deltec/H&S, but I've read several posts by European users who say they are definitely maxing out around 650LPH - where I have measured them between 875-1,000.

Moonpod and I were early BK users and we were pretty sure the original RD's were pulling more than advertised, similar to Eheims. We had both owned multiple Eheim skimmers, had air meters and pretty much could eyeball what X amt of LPH looked like, and it seemed like my RD2000 pulled more than 2,000LPH and his RD2500 was outperforming the spec as well. Klaus can probably chime in if the first RD's were adjusted to run on 60hz (tuning down).

Im not sure what is incorrect here... It seems like all the numbers you gave are the same as what I gave. As for 'tuning them down'... that is something Deltec and H&S do out of the box usally, depending on the skimmer. They cut the number of pins on the pinwheels.

 

[ostrow]

I entirely agree with Jeremy's reply!

The gate valve restriction exists, of course this is correct. But the restriction is marginal compared to the water level increase caused by restricting the air intake, unless the pump is not pulling much air in the first place. So the result will be the same whether standpipe or gate valve. Overflow.

If it gives you comfort to use the standpipe fine, but to put out there some dictum that gate valves cause overflows is just another example of a blowhard on RC pumping out spurious information as some hardened law. Right now I am not using the gate valve as I simply don't need it and it is clutter in my sump.

I suggest though people go back to the topic of this thread.

 

[hahnmeister]

Good point. We can carry on in a different thread about 'standpipes vs. gate valve skimmers'.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1212552
OTOH, its not like much is going on here with the actual BK minis or regular skimmers in this thread.

More pics please!!!

Oh, and gate valves may not cause overflows 100%, but they are more likely with gate valves than standpipes. Its just simple physics man! A large hole at the top of where you want your water level is going to be able to compensate for more flow better than a small hole deeper in the water. When you make the hole underwater, its mass flow rate is fixed... its a smaller hole. Your pressure has to go up 1.41x for the flow to double. With an 'overflow' or standpipe, the pressure is not important... you just cant raise the water level inches above the top edge of the bucket because it just spills out. With a larger hole that is moved up to the waterline on the skimmer, you have a higher potential throughput for a much smaller increase in the water height inside. So sorry to go and get all factual, but I can get out the bernoulli equasions and prove this to be true if my simple 'bucket' examples arent doing it. Standpipes ARE more reliable. All you have to do is look at how gate valve regulation on overflows is so complicated compared to a simple linear overflow. But please, respond in the other thread.

 

[abark]

Please come to the discussion regarding standpipe vs gate valve that Hahn linked to. I have given my thoughts that I have held off since I don't want to get into it in a vendor forum.

Maybe this can be a valuable discussion as I gave it my all regarding science.

 

[Travis]

I see no reason that this thread should get sidetracked like this. I'm not sure what you are trying to prove Hahn and don't really care. This thread is about Bubble Kings. Several Bubble King users have restricted the air intake on their skimmers and it resulted in an increase of the water level. So for Bubble King skimmers, the water level will rise as the air input is restricted. We can go back and forth arguing that the wedge pipe skimmers "should" or "should not" do this but there is no need because we already know the answer. No reason to discuss other skimmers here because this is a BUBBLE KING thread.

 

[Coralfreak]

Just out of curiosity, where are all the BK mini owners? It would sure be nice to see something in this thread pertaining to Bubble King skimmers, whether it be the minis or the DeLuxe models.

Where are the PICS??

 

[Coralfreak]

Here are some pics of my mini BK 180. This skimmer is actually a bit overkill for my current setup, I have a 60gallon display and about 70gallons in the sump.

Heres a shot of the water/air mix coming out of the injector plate:

Adjusting the water level:

These were taken just a few hours after setup.

After about 24 hrs:

 

[Coralfreak]

Its also very important to keep the water level around the skimmer steady. My water level doesn't vary much, but does some. I am having an acrylic box built to accomplish this, in the meantime I used a plastic tub.

I have only been running it like this for about 2 days, but can already tell it makes a difference in performance. I am also feeding a portion of the water from the overflow directly into the tub.

 

[jnb]

well, i installed a BK mini 160 a few days ago - and it works - what more is there to say? the pics look just like yours but smaller - its doing just fine - many people drift off once everything works correctly, are without issues, and/or don't live to debate how correct they are .

This skimmer is not pulling as dark material as my previous skimmer but I think it is not fair to compare until a couple of weeks go by. Keep that water level constant.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10821473#post10821473 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Coralfreak
Just out of curiosity, where are all the BK mini owners? It would sure be nice to see something in this thread pertaining to Bubble King skimmers, whether it be the minis or the DeLuxe models.

Where are the PICS??

 

[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10821429#post10821429 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis
I see no reason that this thread should get sidetracked like this. I'm not sure what you are trying to prove Hahn and don't really care. This thread is about Bubble Kings. Several Bubble King users have restricted the air intake on their skimmers and it resulted in an increase of the water level. So for Bubble King skimmers, the water level will rise as the air input is restricted. We can go back and forth arguing that the wedge pipe skimmers "should" or "should not" do this but there is no need because we already know the answer. No reason to discuss other skimmers here because this is a BUBBLE KING thread.

Actually, nothing to prove. My intent was to present an option, as in, modification, that people might want to do to their BK's to have them run better. So it might be something some BK mini owners would do, as expensive as the skimmers are, to improve the skimmer reliability. The mod may not even have to be permanent... just pressure-fit piping added on and the old stuff removed and put in a box. Also, if it generated enough interest, I could see Klaus offering it as an option on these skimmers. As negative as you seem towards the idea, it is something Klaus has done in the past... adding telescoping standpipes to the deluxe line.

 

[CruzinKim]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10822051#post10822051 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnb
This skimmer is not pulling as dark material as my previous skimmer but I think it is not fair to compare until a couple of weeks go by. Keep that water level constant.

Absolutely true. You've got to wait at least 3 to 5 weeks before it is a fair comparison. Boy, this unit looks like. I've always looked at the BK, but never looked at the mini BK.

 

[hahnmeister]

Is the 'other' mini 200 going to be coming over to the US as well?

on the right...

 

[Proline]

Hahn
That is a deluxe 200 Internal & already here.

 

[hahnmeister]

Oh, thats just the regular deluxe line? It just looks different from every other deluxe I have seen (no superfat cone on the top). Okay, my bad... never mind.

 

[gabe3d]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10824230#post10824230 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Proline
Hahn
That is a deluxe 200 Internal & already here.

Is the one pictured on PA's website for the Deluxe 200 Internal an older model? It looks completely different from the one in the pic hahn posted.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=RE-D200-IN&Category_Code=bubbleking

 

[Coralfreak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10824343#post10824343 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gabe3d
Is the one pictured on PA's website for the Deluxe 200 Internal an older model? It looks completely different from the one in the pic hahn posted.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=RE-D200-IN&Category_Code=bubbleking

If you look closely at the caption on the pic, thats actually a 300 Internal pictured.

 

[jnb]

mini 160 question

mini 160 question

When I bought my 160 mini last week, I was sent the manual thru pdf. This is some wording describing using grease which I had never heard of before. What kind of grease and exactly where would you put it?

"....The water to air stripline is the level where wet foam merges into dry foam. The water level adjusted not exceed the water stripline marked with a silver sticker imprinted with a solid line. This line ensures a dry foaming. Our recommendation is a guideline not a must, and thus, the line may be exceeded in some cases. It behoves to the user to decide whether he prefers wet or dry foam.

After the skimmer was forming enough dry foam it is recommended to grease the upper end of the riser tube as well as the inner foam ring. This will prevent the foam cup to be filled with solid dry foam, because the bubbles will burst immediately when touching the grease. This will force adsorbate into the cup and no dry foam, which might leave the cup through the ventilation holes and fall back into the filter sump. ....."