Bubble King Skimmer Club

[zchauvin]

Stick with the 160. The 180 will be too large for your system and will end up being inconsistant.

Thank you that's what I figured.

 

[jcs11236]

Okay so last night after running 24hrs the mini 160 started producing foam. I have dropped it down to 81/2" water level. Only concern I have is that in order to get the water/foam level inside skimmer to be more or less at the max level line I have to have the wedge pipe almost completely closed. Is this normal? Anyone else have to run the wedge nearly closed to have water/foam line a good height. Or is this due to it still breaking in.
Thanks again for any info provided.

 

[powder_blue]

Thinking of going with the DC180 for my new build. I have the DC150 now and am very pleased with the performance but it's not going to be big enough for the new setup. What is the big deal about the RD3 pump? It looks like the white nozzle has disappeared and I see that you set it to a specific wattage. Can anyone explain how the system works with the RD3?

 

[slief]

Okay so last night after running 24hrs the mini 160 started producing foam. I have dropped it down to 81/2" water level. Only concern I have is that in order to get the water/foam level inside skimmer to be more or less at the max level line I have to have the wedge pipe almost completely closed. Is this normal? Anyone else have to run the wedge nearly closed to have water/foam line a good height. Or is this due to it still breaking in.
Thanks again for any info provided.

It's still breaking in. Give it a week and if the water level remains low in the skimmer, raise it back up. If it remains low, the reason could be due to a lack of DOC's (dissolved organic compounds) in your water. It could also be because of lower salinity.

 

[jcs11236]

Thanks again for reply.

 

[slief]

Thinking of going with the DC180 for my new build. I have the DC150 now and am very pleased with the performance but it's not going to be big enough for the new setup. What is the big deal about the RD3 pump? It looks like the white nozzle has disappeared and I see that you set it to a specific wattage. Can anyone explain how the system works with the RD3?

The RD3 pump makes adjusting the tuning the skimmer much easier. Increasing the pumps speed/wattage increases the water flow and air volume into the skimmer. This also tends to increase the bubble size. Decreasing the flow/wattage decreases the bubble size while also decreasing the amount of air drawn into the skimmer. The advantage over this approach vs the adjustable volume on the standard Red Dragon pumps is as follows.


It allows for much more flexibility in varying environments. No two tanks are the same as far as nutrients, salinity, temp, sump water level etc. All of which have a direct impact on the optimal skimmer settings. Having control over the pumps flow like that allows to skimmer to be fine tuned much easier for those kinds of variations.

Sump level can have the biggest impact on a skimmers performance and in cases of sumps that are particularly deep, a lower pump speed may be needed to prevent overflows where as a sump that has a lower water level may require greater water flow into the skimmer to keep the foam head up high enough. Tanks with low levels of DOC's also benefit from that kind of control as skimmers in low nutrient tanks have a harder time producing a consistent foam head. Being able to control water flow and air bubble size like that, gives an advantage over the traditional pump that can only be dialed in via the adjustable volute and sump level.


I've used both style pumps. The original Red Dragons with their adjustable volutes on my previous bubble king skimmer and the RD3 on my Supermarin 250. The RD3 has made dialing in my skimmer and maintaining consistency much much easier. Many would think that slowing down the skimmer pump would be counter intuitive but because the bubble size, air volume and water flow into the skimmer is impacted by the pumps speed, it actually works really well for fine tuning. Especially because the adjustments can be made in very small increments. Not only that but because of the differences from one tank to the next, having that kind of flexibility with the skimmer where our tanks setup, nutrients and or sump levels may not be so flexible makes a world of difference in really getting the skimmer performing to the best of it's ability. In my case, my skimmer is in 9" of water which is at the upper end of the range for the skimmer. I found that a setting of about 36 watts out of a total of 50 watts is optimal for my tank. Not only does that pump allow me to get my skimmer dialed in easier but it also saves on power consumption which for me is important as my electrical bills have been known to be off the charts.

Lastly, if for any reason you want to skim really wet or make a quick adjustment, all it requires is a quick push of a button as opposed to tinkering with an adjustable volute that doesn't really give you a good indication of where you are as far as adjustments. With the RD3, you get a number of the display that makes for easy reference when tuning the skimmer or going back to a particular setting.

 

[powder_blue]

The RD3 pump makes adjusting the tuning the skimmer much easier. Increasing the pumps speed/wattage increases the water flow and air volume into the skimmer. This also tends to increase the bubble size. Decreasing the flow/wattage decreases the bubble size while also decreasing the amount of air drawn into the skimmer. The advantage over this approach vs the adjustable volume on the standard Red Dragon pumps is as follows.


It allows for much more flexibility in varying environments. No two tanks are the same as far as nutrients, salinity, temp, sump water level etc. All of which have a direct impact on the optimal skimmer settings. Having control over the pumps flow like that allows to skimmer to be fine tuned much easier for those kinds of variations.

Sump level can have the biggest impact on a skimmers performance and in cases of sumps that are particularly deep, a lower pump speed may be needed to prevent overflows where as a sump that has a lower water level may require greater water flow into the skimmer to keep the foam head up high enough. Tanks with low levels of DOC's also benefit from that kind of control as skimmers in low nutrient tanks have a harder time producing a consistent foam head. Being able to control water flow and air bubble size like that, gives an advantage over the traditional pump that can only be dialed in via the adjustable volute and sump level.


I've used both style pumps. The original Red Dragons with their adjustable volutes on my previous bubble king skimmer and the RD3 on my Supermarin 250. The RD3 has made dialing in my skimmer and maintaining consistency much much easier. Many would think that slowing down the skimmer pump would be counter intuitive but because the bubble size, air volume and water flow into the skimmer is impacted by the pumps speed, it actually works really well for fine tuning. Especially because the adjustments can be made in very small increments. Not only that but because of the differences from one tank to the next, having that kind of flexibility with the skimmer where our tanks setup, nutrients and or sump levels may not be so flexible makes a world of difference in really getting the skimmer performing to the best of it's ability. In my case, my skimmer is in 9" of water which is at the upper end of the range for the skimmer. I found that a setting of about 36 watts out of a total of 50 watts is optimal for my tank. Not only does that pump allow me to get my skimmer dialed in easier but it also saves on power consumption which for me is important as my electrical bills have been known to be off the charts.

Lastly, if for any reason you want to skim really wet or make a quick adjustment, all it requires is a quick push of a button as opposed to tinkering with an adjustable volute that doesn't really give you a good indication of where you are as far as adjustments. With the RD3, you get a number of the display that makes for easy reference when tuning the skimmer or going back to a particular setting.

Thanks so much for the explanation. RE needs to pay you for all of the help you give us! Just pulled the trigger on the DC180 w/RD3 from PA. Now the painful wait for the UPS truck begins :beer:

 

[slief]

Thanks so much for the explanation. RE needs to pay you for all of the help you give us! Just pulled the trigger on the DC180 w/RD3 from PA. Now the painful wait for the UPS truck begins :beer:

Glad to help! :beer:

You will love that skimmer and you're going to love how easy it is to tune with the RD3!

 

[wayne_sreef]

I have a 1st gen BK SM300. It is about 5 years old. The impeller of the 1500 slave pump is getting hard to start after each shutoff. I soaked pump in a vinegar bath overnight and cleaned it inside out but the impeller is still difficult to start. I think the motor block is getting bad. I am trying to get a Laguna Maxflo pump 1500 on Ebay to replace it since both pumps uses same size of motor block according to what I have read. I just want to confirm it prior purchasing, TIA.

 

[slief]

I have a 1st gen BK SM300. It is about 5 years old. The impeller of the 1500 slave pump is getting hard to start after each shutoff. I soaked pump in a vinegar bath overnight and cleaned it inside out but the impeller is still difficult to start. I think the motor block is getting bad. I am trying to get a Laguna Maxflo pump 1500 on Ebay to replace it since both pumps uses same size of motor block according to what I have read. I just want to confirm it prior purchasing, TIA.

That block should work fine. I assume this is the smaller of the two pumps on the skimmer?

 

[wayne_sreef]

That block should work fine. I assume this is the smaller of the two pumps on the skimmer?

Correct, it is the smaller one labeled red dragon 1500 slavepump. Thanks.

 

[powder_blue]

Glad to help! :beer:

You will love that skimmer and you're going to love how easy it is to tune with the RD3!

Got the skimmer today! What a beast. What wattage do you recommend to start with? I have it on 24w now with the wedge pipe fully open.

 

[muz_z]

Well I am wanting to join the club and would like to know if anyone who owns a BK DC 180 could measure the distance from the outside of the inner ring on the lid to the groove where it sits on the cup, as I want to install my float switch in the lid and just checking it will fit before I go ahead and make the purchase

Thanks
Maury

 

[jcs11236]

Okay been running my bk160 for about two weeks. I'm still noticing that in order to have the inner water/foam level near the water level line I have to have the wedge pipe completely closed which makes the skimmer real sensitive. If I were to open the wedge lets say 1/4-1/2 open,the water/foam level drops super low. Is this normal. Did anyone else experience this. Is this still part of breaking in.
This isn't my first skimmer and I never had these concerns before. I attached pic with the inner water level with the wedge 3/4 closed(1/4 open). I'm not sure it has to do with low DOC. I feed heavy. 3 times a day. I have 3 tangs who poop like crazy, a few anthias, clowns and gobys
Thanks in advance for any info

 

[slief]

Okay been running my bk160 for about two weeks. I'm still noticing that in order to have the inner water/foam level near the water level line I have to have the wedge pipe completely closed which makes the skimmer real sensitive. If I were to open the wedge lets say 1/4-1/2 open,the water/foam level drops super low. Is this normal. Did anyone else experience this. Is this still part of breaking in.
This isn't my first skimmer and I never had these concerns before. I attached pic with the inner water level with the wedge 3/4 closed(1/4 open). I'm not sure it has to do with low DOC. I feed heavy. 3 times a day. I have 3 tangs who poop like crazy, a few anthias, clowns and gobys
Thanks in advance for any info

Sounds like we are getting real close to finding your skimmers sweet spot. Last you noted, you were at 8.5" of water level in the sump. I would raise the sump level up 1/4" or lower the skimmer in the sump 1/4". That should raise the foam level in the skimmer such that it will be just about perfect with the wedge pipe completely open. From there it should just be fine tuning with the wedge pipe. The idea is to get the sump level such that the skimmer only needs to the wedge pipe closed slightly or no more than half to get it producing nicely. If you need to close the wedge pipe all the way, this is a sign that you need to increase the water level.

My sump level is controlled by my float switches (via my ATO). I mounted those switches to magnet scrubbers so I could adjust my sump level in very fine increments in order to be able to finely tune my skimmer. I raise or lower my sump level by moving the magnet scrubber up or down. This gives me incredible control over my skimmers performance and lends me the ability to really fine tune it.

By the way, 3 fat and well fed tangs is nothing for that skimmer.

 

[frogspawn74]

So where do you find what the real differences are with the supermarin skimmers. I am in the thinking stages of upgrading my xp 5000 ext Octopus.
My system is a 300gallon and 200 gallon Displays. With about 200 gallons in filtration.
I am not overboard with fish atm(20-25) but as we all know that will grow with more time.
I am a little concerned about parts availability after reading this thread. And very confused with their websites. Their is very little detail as to what the versions are.
I was assuming that the supermarin 300 int. is the right fit. But I see that some come with 2 pumps, some one pump. Then pricing seems to change (currency adjustments, versions,pumps, ect).
PA has the one at 27XX but then RE appears they don't sell it with 2 pump...
Just trying to get a handle on a very big expense and if its even worth the upgrade...

Any information is welcomed!

 

[slief]

So where do you find what the real differences are with the supermarin skimmers. I am in the thinking stages of upgrading my xp 5000 ext Octopus.
My system is a 300gallon and 200 gallon Displays. With about 200 gallons in filtration.
I am not overboard with fish atm(20-25) but as we all know that will grow with more time.
I am a little concerned about parts availability after reading this thread. And very confused with their websites. Their is very little detail as to what the versions are.
I was assuming that the supermarin 300 int. is the right fit. But I see that some come with 2 pumps, some one pump. Then pricing seems to change (currency adjustments, versions,pumps, ect).
PA has the one at 27XX but then RE appears they don't sell it with 2 pump...
Just trying to get a handle on a very big expense and if its even worth the upgrade...

Any information is welcomed!

For you size tank, you would want a Supermarin 200. Anything bigger wouldn't be consistant on your tank due in large part to neck diameter. The one with 2 pumps would be the SM300 and that is WAY to big for your tank. They are one of the few skimmers that are conservatively rated and you don't need or want to oversize. I run a Supermarin 250 on a heavily stocked 480g display with a 650g overall volume. They are great skimmers and an SM200 will absolutely blow your RO away. It wouldn't even be a fair comparison.

 

[jcs11236]

Thanks for the reply Slief
So yesterday I raised the water level to 83/4" and opened the valve half way. This is the level now of the skimmer.
Do you suggest I close the wedge or raise water level? It's foaming up nice now but it's low. There's big bubbles forming on bottom of plate and it looks like it's burping every once in a while.
Thank again for you help

 

[slief]

Thanks for the reply Slief
So yesterday I raised the water level to 83/4" and opened the valve half way. This is the level now of the skimmer.
Do you suggest I close the wedge or raise water level? It's foaming up nice now but it's low. There's big bubbles forming on bottom of plate and it looks like it's burping every once in a while.
Thank again for you help

Try raising the level a bit more to 9" and see where that gets you. Ideally, you want the water level of the sump to determine the level in the skimmer and only use the wedge pipe to fine tune. I'm thinking you just don't have much in the way of DOC's in your water despite the 3 tangs.

 

[slief]

So where do you find what the real differences are with the supermarin skimmers. I am in the thinking stages of upgrading my xp 5000 ext Octopus.
My system is a 300gallon and 200 gallon Displays. With about 200 gallons in filtration.
I am not overboard with fish atm(20-25) but as we all know that will grow with more time.
I am a little concerned about parts availability after reading this thread. And very confused with their websites. Their is very little detail as to what the versions are.
I was assuming that the supermarin 300 int. is the right fit. But I see that some come with 2 pumps, some one pump. Then pricing seems to change (currency adjustments, versions,pumps, ect).
PA has the one at 27XX but then RE appears they don't sell it with 2 pump...
Just trying to get a handle on a very big expense and if its even worth the upgrade...

Any information is welcomed!

Thanks for the PM. I missed the fact that both the 300g and the 200g tanks were both displays. I guess I should read more carefully. In that case, I'd say the SM250 would be the better choice. I think a 300 would be pushing it and unless you had a very very heavy stock load, the 300 would be overkill and may need to be run really wet to maintain any semblance of consistency where as the SM250 would perform like a champ.