Bubble King Skimmer Club

[slief]

Quick question. I recently took apart the skimmer to clean it and now for some reason it isn't skimming. I am not getting enough bubbles in the skimmer chamber. The bubbles aren't fine either so it isn't building a foam head. It a SM250. Anyone know what needs to be adjusted. I'm sure it's a small fix.


Thanks,

Adam

Not sure how recent, recently means but after cleaning the skimmer it can take a few days or more to break back in. That said,if you have the Red Dragon standard pump and not the RD3 pump, did you accidentally change the adjustment on the volute of the pump? If so, that would impact the bubble output.

 

[slief]

Not in my case. The Laguna Max Flow 2000 block was definitely smaller. I bought my skimmer in late 2012.



It doesn't fit because the Laguna 2000 Block is smaller, but here is comparison of the two impellers.
View attachment 297603


Pictures of my pump. I should have taken a side-by-side of the pumps before I returned it, sorry.
View attachment 297600
View attachment 297601

I'd like to see the new block. I am wondering if you got a small block version of the Laguna pump. From your description it is sounding that way.

 

[slief]

So basically the warranty is void if you don't use a filter sock and if your saltwater tank contains crabs and limpets.....Very sensitive pumps for the price are these, can't say l've had the problem with any other.......

Not sure what to tell as I understand your frustration.That said, as I mentioned before, crabs and limpets in pumps are not good and can damage ANY pump. I've had it damage a few myself over the years that were not Red Dragons. I lost a Little Giant 4MD once as a result. FWIW, the Laguna block is coveted for good reason. It is one of the best if not the best motor blocks out there. It isn't as sensitive as you may think but like any magnetic drive pump, an obstruction can damage them. I'd surmise you were either unlucky with this pump or have been lucky with others. Either way, I'd strongly suggest addressing your crab and limpet issue as they don't belong in your pumps. You really should figure out a way to keep them out of your pumps as much as possible because it sounds like it a chronic issue for you. As I said, there are ways to do it without filter socks. Some egg crate and screen to make a small box that slips over the intake is an easy DIY solution. I've seen that solution plenty of times.

 

[Adamc1303]

Not sure how recent, recently means but after cleaning the skimmer it can take a few days or more to break back in. That said,if you have the Red Dragon standard pump and not the RD3 pump, did you accidentally change the adjustment on the volute of the pump? If so, that would impact the bubble output.

I do have the old pump but I put the volute where it was. I always had it turned 1.5 times as recommended in the manual. I had the pump sitting in vinegar for like 3 days. It's been running for 24 hours now. It just seems like the bubbles are not as fine and creamy as they were. I just cleaned it out again making sure there is no blockage on the airline etc... Any idea?

Thanks,

Adam

 

[slief]

I do have the old pump but I put the volute where it was. I always had it turned 1.5 times as recommended in the manual. I had the pump sitting in vinegar for like 3 days. It's been running for 24 hours now. It just seems like the bubbles are not as fine and creamy as they were. I just cleaned it out again making sure there is no blockage on the airline etc... Any idea?

Thanks,

Adam

Did your sump level raise at all? If you vinegar bathed the skimmer body, it's going to have to break in as though it was new as will the pump. Heck, if you let it sit dry for 3 days even without a vinegar bath, it's still going to need to break in as though it was new. Those really fine "creamy bubbles" make take a week or so to develop as stuff builds up in the foam and it becomes more compact. Also as the slime coat builds back up again, the bubbles should get smaller. It takes upwards of 2 weeks for a skimmer to fully break in but after a week, they are usually pretty close in my experience. I think you just need to be patient and temporarily adjust the wedge pipe to get your production back up and make a fine adjustment or two once it settles back in.

 

[lee_d_m]

Hi guys

I have a 170g total system been running for 9 months. I've always had some level of algae issue and I suspect my current skimmer (deltec sc1455) might not be strong enough, so I'm looking to upgrade to a BK. What model would you recommend? I have a chance of a BK mini 180 but not sure if this is big enough and perhaps a 200 would be better, appreciate any suggestions

Thanks

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Hi guys

I have a 170g total system been running for 9 months. I've always had some level of algae issue and I suspect my current skimmer (deltec sc1455) might not be strong enough, so I'm looking to upgrade to a BK. What model would you recommend? I have a chance of a BK mini 180 but not sure if this is big enough and perhaps a 200 would be better, appreciate any suggestions

Thanks

Heard great things about ATB skimmers and their customer service. I love my bubble king, but had I known about the horrible customer service, I would NOT have bought mine. What if ur pump goes out? You willing to wait a couple months for a replacement? I'm praying that my pump doesn't go out. Kinda sucks to be in that position after spending a thousand + dollars on a high end piece of equipment.

 

[BfishLpond78]

So with all these comments...should I not buy the Double Cone 200???

 

[jasonfrey]

Hi,

On a 170g, the Mini 180 would do very good job. They are conservative on there ratings. Or a Double cone 200, really a double cone 180 would probably keep up.

Keep in mind all the pump issues go back several months and before Florida location has been opened. There were times were we waited months to get orders while they were gearing up production to open the USA factory, but i have seen a huge change in there service the last month and even our last order, which was 4 pallets of skimmers took 4 days to reach us.

So unless it's a unique part, i think going forward the common pump parts will be able to get within a few days now, plus you can do warranty direct with them now as well.

 

[BfishLpond78]

My system volume would be around 180-190 gallons. I usually build up to a heavily stocked tank. Would the 200 be too big?

 

[jasonfrey]

HI,

The Mini 200 or DOuble 200 would both be fine for your size water volume. You are still above there minimum size. You just don't want to oversize too much with BK, but you be in a good range for either of those.

 

[BfishLpond78]

Hmmmmm....now here Is the hard part. Lol. 180 or 200.

 

[slief]

Heard great things about ATB skimmers and their customer service. I love my bubble king, but had I known about the horrible customer service, I would NOT have bought mine. What if ur pump goes out? You willing to wait a couple months for a replacement? I'm praying that my pump doesn't go out. Kinda sucks to be in that position after spending a thousand + dollars on a high end piece of equipment.

Schnitzel,
I hate to say this as I do respect you but... You are coming into a vendors forum (Premium Aquatics) and steering customers away from a product that Premium Aquatics sells and pushing a product that they don't sell. That's really not very ethical. What's worse is that you personally have never even had an issue with BK. I certainly don't see you steering people away from the BK skimmer in your for sale thread. Would it be right if somebody went in your thread and did the same thing? That's really not very cool regardless of the service issues that BK seems to have had. I have an SM250 and it's been a wonderful skimmer and I certainly wouldn't sell it because of the issues some people have had.. If you choose to sell yours because of that, that's your decision but you shouldn't come into Premium Aquatics forum and push another product like that.

 

[slief]

Hmmmmm....now here Is the hard part. Lol. 180 or 200.

I'd lean towards the 200. It's a far superior body design in my opinion. Don't read to much into some of what you read here about the issues. BK will get a handle on the service issues and their quality is still great. I've run BK made products for years now and love them. My SM250 with the RD3 pumps is one of the best skimmers I have ever owned and I've owned a lot of high end skimmers over the last 27 years. You will love the double cone 200!

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Bubble King Skimmer Club

Schnitzel,
I hate to say this as I do respect you but... You are coming into a vendors forum (Premium Aquatics) and steering customers away from a product that Premium Aquatics sells and pushing a product that they don't sell. That's really not very ethical. What's worse is that you personally have never even had an issue with BK. I certainly don't see you steering people away from the BK skimmer in your for sale thread. Would it be right if somebody went in your thread and did the same thing? That's really not very cool regardless of the service issues that BK seems to have had. I have an SM250 and it's been a wonderful skimmer and I certainly wouldn't sell it because of the issues some people have had.. If you choose to sell yours because of that, that's your decision but you shouldn't come into Premium Aquatics forum and push another product like that.

Thanks for pointing that out. U know I honestly forgot that this was a premium aquatics thread. If a mod sees this, please feel free to delete my previous post. I do agree, I shouldn't have posted this on a sponsors thread. I apologize for that.... BUT maybe the Bubble King Skimmer Club thread should be in the general forum so people can post their opinions with out affecting the sponsor. Maybe premium aquatics can request a mod to move this thread. Just an idea

 

[BfishLpond78]

I'd lean towards the 200. It's a far superior body design in my opinion. Don't read to much into some of what you read here about the issues. BK will get a handle on the service issues and their quality is still great. I've run BK made products for years now and love them. My SM250 with the RD3 pumps is one of the best skimmers I have ever owned and I've owned a lot of high end skimmers over the last 27 years. You will love the double cone 200!

I think I'm more concerned about having a way oversized skimmer for my system. The only difference I'm currently seeing is a larger skimmer body and the pumps remain the same, unless im really tired and not reading it correctly. Lol

 

[slief]

Thanks for pointing that out. U know I honestly forgot that this was a premium aquatics thread. If a mod sees this, please feel free to delete my previous post. I do agree, I shouldn't have posted this on a sponsors thread. I apologize for that.... BUT maybe the Bubble King Skimmer Club thread should be in the general forum so people can post their opinions with out affecting the sponsor. Maybe premium aquatics can request a mod to move this thread. Just an idea

Premium is BK's biggest dealer in the US. They field opportunities, answer questions and also try to help address some of the growing pains that BK is or was having via this thread. Obviously they too were caught in the middle of some of the issues too but if this thread was in the general section, it would get buried there only to resurface from time to time. Having this thread in this section results in sales opportunities for Premium and also benefits the people that are having issues by having BK's biggest dealer lobbying for them. Having it here also insures that one of the BK resellers responds in a timely manner because Premium continually monitors this thread. As such, I think they probably like having it here. At least when there isn't all these gripes.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Premium is BK's biggest dealer in the US. They field opportunities, answer questions and also try to help address some of the growing pains that BK is or was having via this thread. Obviously they too were caught in the middle of some of the issues too but if this thread was in the general section, it would get buried there only to resurface from time to time. Having this thread in this section results in sales opportunities for Premium and also benefits the people that are having issues by having BK's biggest dealer lobbying for them. Having it here also insures that one of the BK resellers responds in a timely manner because Premium continually monitors this thread. As such, I think they probably like having it here. At least when there isn't all these gripes.

Makes sense.

 

[slief]

I think I'm more concerned about having a way oversized skimmer for my system. The only difference I'm currently seeing is a larger skimmer body and the pumps remain the same, unless im really tired and not reading it correctly. Lol

Your concerns are certainly valid. I am one of the first people to suggest not oversizing the BK skimmers as they are one of the only manufactures that give an honest rating without overstating it. That said, the 200 has a small enough neck diameter that you should be more than fine. It will give you better contact time than the mini and should skim wonderfully. The RD3 will give you a lot of flexibility to adjust and tune your bubble output and dial it in for your needs. If you have some flexibility with your sump level or skimmer stand height, that too will go a long way in really tuning the skimmer. Either way, I think the Double Cone 200 for your volume will be a very good choice. Especially if you plan on maintaining a heavy load.

 

[Adamc1303]

Did your sump level raise at all? If you vinegar bathed the skimmer body, it's going to have to break in as though it was new as will the pump. Heck, if you let it sit dry for 3 days even without a vinegar bath, it's still going to need to break in as though it was new. Those really fine "creamy bubbles" make take a week or so to develop as stuff builds up in the foam and it becomes more compact. Also as the slime coat builds back up again, the bubbles should get smaller. It takes upwards of 2 weeks for a skimmer to fully break in but after a week, they are usually pretty close in my experience. I think you just need to be patient and temporarily adjust the wedge pipe to get your production back up and make a fine adjustment or two once it settles back in.

So I have used this skimmer for around a year now. I cleaned it many times. Only this time I forgot to put back the bubble diffuser plate!!!!! Stupid stupid me! It works fine now. The funny part is that I purchased a new one yesterday from PA when I saw them go on sale. I don't regret doing that though because eI really wanted one with the new pump (for no good reason though!) loll thanks for the help anyway. The lesson to be learned is that you need to trouble shoot things like cell phone companies do. First check if the battery is in, now turn on etc... lol

Thanks for your help,

Adam