Bubble King Skimmer Club

[ngdv]

Your wedge pipe must not be seated all the way in. Closing the wedge pipe by rotating it blocks the flow of water coming out of the skimmer. The more you close it, the higher the level inside the skimmer. If the skimmer is responding to the wedge pipe then it's not all the way down into the fitting. Like I said, loosen the screw and push the wedge pipe down all the way into the fitting. You can pull the skimmer out if you need to and inspect the wedge pipe so you can see if it's all the way down and familiarize yourself with how it work. if the wedge pipe is seated, it should be able to make the skimmer overflow because the water won't be able to leave the skimmer.
The reason holding your finger over the air intake or placing the hose on the ozone port works is because you are reducing the airflow into the skimmer which in turn increases the water flow. The wedge pipe is your friend. If need be, raise your sump level a bit higher. If you are at 8", raise it to 8.5".

Checked and double checked everything you said. The wedge pipe is seated all the way in. I have pulled apart and checked twice now. The most I got out of it. Is turning is further then the stripes on de holder of the wedge pipe. As you can see the red silicone tube is abit closed down because of this and I assume that is the reason it's working now. But I'm unsure in if this is the solution. Oké I have had it Sinds Tuesday, so it has to break in but it still feels weird.

I'm going to my lfs on Saturday where I bought it as well, and maybe try to get my sump level up to 8,5 with a overflow comb.

Any tips are appreciated.

 

[slief]

Checked and double checked everything you said. The wedge pipe is seated all the way in. I have pulled apart and checked twice now. The most I got out of it. Is turning is further then the stripes on de holder of the wedge pipe. As you can see the red silicone tube is abit closed down because of this and I assume that is the reason it's working now. But I'm unsure in if this is the solution. Oké I have had it Sinds Tuesday, so it has to break in but it still feels weird.

I'm going to my lfs on Saturday where I bought it as well, and maybe try to get my sump level up to 8,5 with a overflow comb.

Any tips are appreciated.

It's working now because you have the wedge pipe closed a bunch. I just checked the depth on mine and I have it at 9" deep. Increase your sump level. The low end of the depth range is for a heavier load. The more dissolved organics you have the in water, the higher the level inside the skimmer because the bubbles start sticking together more and that raises the line where bubbles turn to foam. Once you raise the level in your sump, the skimmer will perform better and you won't need to close the wedge pipe nearly as much. Also, you can rotate the wedge pipe 180* so the hose isn't under tension like that. Once you get the water level sorted out, you wont want to restrict the airflow.

 

[ngdv]

It's working now because you have the wedge pipe closed a bunch. I just checked the depth on mine and I have it at 9" deep. Increase your sump level. The low end of the depth range is for a heavier load. The more dissolved organics you have the in water, the higher the level inside the skimmer because the bubbles start sticking together more and that raises the line where bubbles turn to foam. Once you raise the level in your sump, the skimmer will perform better and you won't need to close the wedge pipe nearly as much. Also, you can rotate the wedge pipe 180* so the hose isn't under tension like that. Once you get the water level sorted out, you wont want to restrict the airflow.

Gonna raise the water level tomorrow, Thanks for the help and tips. Appreciate it!

Besides this I am in love with the skimmer. It's quiet and you can see and feel the quality. Worth every penny.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G935F met Tapatalk

 

[slief]

Gonna raise the water level tomorrow, Thanks for the help and tips. Appreciate it!

Besides this I am in love with the skimmer. It's quiet and you can see and feel the quality. Worth every penny.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G935F met Tapatalk

Keep us posted! :beer:

 

[ngdv]

Sooo, I upped the sump level from 8 to 9 by placing a overflow comb on the bubble trap. Water went up, skimmer level went up, and it's skimming beter. Turned the wedge to let the intake get the full amount of air again. And it was down to nothing.
I have checked the whole skimmer again, and added a tinyer silicone tube on the air intake. And it seems to skim better again, and I have turn the wedge abit more. It on the first stripe now. If I turn it 180 degree, the water level in the skimmer is down to nothing again.

Any other tips? Or can I say that I have a faulty one? (would be weird since they test it and it got checked for everything).

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G935F met Tapatalk

 

[slief]

Sooo, I upped the sump level from 8 to 9 by placing a overflow comb on the bubble trap. Water went up, skimmer level went up, and it's skimming beter. Turned the wedge to let the intake get the full amount of air again. And it was down to nothing.
I have checked the whole skimmer again, and added a tinyer silicone tube on the air intake. And it seems to skim better again, and I have turn the wedge abit more. It on the first stripe now. If I turn it 180 degree, the water level in the skimmer is down to nothing again.

Any other tips? Or can I say that I have a faulty one? (would be weird since they test it and it got checked for everything).

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G935F met Tapatalk

I can assure you that you don't have a faulty one. Let me explain how this works. First the only time and way these pumps fail is dead. They either work or they don't. The wedge pipe has nothing at all to do with air or pump flow unless you really pinch the air line. What that does is reduce the airflow and increase the water flow which will raise the level in the skimmer. If restricting the airflow increases the level in the skimmer which it did as noted by your restriction than that tells me the pump is working fine. The pump spins at a set RPM and doesn't know the difference between air and water. If the level goes up when you pinch or plug the line, then it is working fine.

You will need to close the wedge pipe more. I can promise you that if you close the wedge pipe enough, the water will overflow out of the skimmer. It's impossible for it not to because you are blocking the water from flowing out of the body. When you open the wedge that allows the water to leave with less restriction and that lowers the level inside the skimmer which is exactly what you do not want to to. The wedge pipe is designed to work such that when you open wedge you are lowering the level inside the skimmer and when you close wedge you raise the level. Put the airline back on the venturi port where it belongs and use the wedge pipe to raise the level. Disregard the lines on the wedge assembly and close the pipe by rotation and at some point you WILL see the water rise. Make sure you orient the silicone line so that it's not getting pinched when you close the pipe.

My best suggestion is to do one of two things so you understand how this works. Either remove the skimmer from the sump and take a look inside the drain on the skimmer while rotating the wedge pipe so you can see where the wedge pipe goes from open to closed. Or you can pull the wedge pipe out of the PVC connection and look down into the fitting also noting the wedge shaped cut on the pipe as that should also lend some clarity as to how the wedge pipe blocks the waters flow coming out of the skimmer. As I said, the wedge blocks the exit coming out of the skimmer when closed. The more you close it, the higher the level will be in the skimmer. It's simple and once you know where the fully closed position is on the wedge, you will be able to find your sweet spot befween open and closed to get the level where it needs to be.

 

[ngdv]

I can assure you that you don't have a faulty one. Let me explain how this works. First the only time and way these pumps fail is dead. They either work or they don't. The wedge pipe has nothing at all to do with air or pump flow unless you really pinch the air line. What that does is reduce the airflow and increase the water flow which will raise the level in the skimmer. If restricting the airflow increases the level in the skimmer which it did as noted by your restriction than that tells me the pump is working fine. The pump spins at a set RPM and doesn't know the difference between air and water. If the level goes up when you pinch or plug the line, then it is working fine.

You will need to close the wedge pipe more. I can promise you that if you close the wedge pipe enough, the water will overflow out of the skimmer. It's impossible for it not to because you are blocking the water from flowing out of the body. When you open the wedge that allows the water to leave with less restriction and that lowers the level inside the skimmer which is exactly what you do not want to to. The wedge pipe is designed to work such that when you open wedge you are lowering the level inside the skimmer and when you close wedge you raise the level. Put the airline back on the venturi port where it belongs and use the wedge pipe to raise the level. Disregard the lines on the wedge assembly and close the pipe by rotation and at some point you WILL see the water rise. Make sure you orient the silicone line so that it's not getting pinched when you close the pipe.

My best suggestion is to do one of two things so you understand how this works. Either remove the skimmer from the sump and take a look inside the drain on the skimmer while rotating the wedge pipe so you can see where the wedge pipe goes from open to closed. Or you can pull the wedge pipe out of the PVC connection and look down into the fitting also noting the wedge shaped cut on the pipe as that should also lend some clarity as to how the wedge pipe blocks the waters flow coming out of the skimmer. As I said, the wedge blocks the exit coming out of the skimmer when closed. The more you close it, the higher the level will be in the skimmer. It's simple and once you know where the fully closed position is on the wedge, you will be able to find your sweet spot befween open and closed to get the level where it needs to be.

Well, I have build, got familiar with every part of the skimmer. Tried again and again. And at first no luck, everything I did did nothing to the skimmer. Now after a few tries for some reason the water is staying in the skimmer, it's on exact the same settings as a few days before. The wedge pipe was all the way in and couldn't go any further, it has been like that the whole time. Nothing changes yet it started to skim. Removed the silicone tube, and it would still skim. I can happily say that it is finally working!! Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it. Now I can sit back and let the king do it's work [emoji12] [emoji1]

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G935F met Tapatalk

 

[slief]

Well, I have build, got familiar with every part of the skimmer. Tried again and again. And at first no luck, everything I did did nothing to the skimmer. Now after a few tries for some reason the water is staying in the skimmer, it's on exact the same settings as a few days before. The wedge pipe was all the way in and couldn't go any further, it has been like that the whole time. Nothing changes yet it started to skim. Removed the silicone tube, and it would still skim. I can happily say that it is finally working!! Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it. Now I can sit back and let the king do it's work [emoji12] [emoji1]

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G935F met Tapatalk

Interesing. It could have been something in your water impacting the surface tension. Glad to hear it's working properly.

 

[cpllongjk]

Anyone ever have a problem where your mini 160 only wants to skim wet? Any minor adjustment with the pipe either makes the waterline go too low or too high and the skimmer only produces wet skimmate.

The skimmer is in approx. 8" of constant water level. It's on a heavily stocked 50g display and 16g frag tank. So approx. total volume is about 70-80gallons.

 

[slief]

Anyone ever have a problem where your mini 160 only wants to skim wet? Any minor adjustment with the pipe either makes the waterline go too low or too high and the skimmer only produces wet skimmate.

The skimmer is in approx. 8" of constant water level. It's on a heavily stocked 50g display and 16g frag tank. So approx. total volume is about 70-80gallons.

Lowering your water level about 1/2" in your sump will help make it less sensitive depending on how much your wedge pipe is closed. Also make sure there isn't salt creep in the venturi port where the silicone air tube connects to the pump. Salt tends to buildup inside the venturi port which will make the skimmer want to overflow easier. Also, a little tiny adjustment of the wedge pipe can have a big impact on the level inside the skimmer. As such, only turning it a fraction of a turn is the best practice for smaller adjustments.

 

[Ewestfall]

Ok needs some advive. I have a bk sm300 skimmer. Just set up a new 400 gallon system. Has live rock and sand so far. No coral or fish yet. Transferring from old system soon. Ive had the skimmer running for 4 days now and cannot get it to stop overflowing. Ive tried every scenario with both adjustments. The air tube and the adjuster that screws into the pump. Ive tried from 7 to 9 inches for the water level in sump. Any advice on what else to try?

 

[slief]

Ok needs some advive. I have a bk sm300 skimmer. Just set up a new 400 gallon system. Has live rock and sand so far. No coral or fish yet. Transferring from old system soon. Ive had the skimmer running for 4 days now and cannot get it to stop overflowing. Ive tried every scenario with both adjustments. The air tube and the adjuster that screws into the pump. Ive tried from 7 to 9 inches for the water level in sump. Any advice on what else to try?

I am assuming this was a skimmer you bought used or had on a previous system? Does it have the two pumps? Master and smaller slave? Are they original red dragon pumps? For the dual pump version, I would start between 7-8". The adjustable nozzle on the pumps is likely going to be key. The more you open them, the lower the water level should be in the skimmer. I would try different extremes. Start at 1.5 turns out and then go to 5 full turns and see what it does. I would also double check the venturi ports where the silicone air tubes connect to the pump. If salt or other stuff blocks the venturi port, that will cause overflows. If you bought this skimmer used or have had it a long time, you might also want to take the silencer apart and clean the foam in the silencer and make sure there is nothing obstructing the air connections inside the silencer. Also, you will want the ozone tubes connected to the pumps on that skimmer so they can pull air.

Lastly, it could be something in your water. If so, it might be one of those scenarios that you should just connect a 5 gallon bucket to the skimmer and let it overflow into the bucket. That will allow the skimmer to drive what ever is in the water out of the system. If this live rock was uncared, then there will be a lot of organics that will be perishing in the rock which could cause a skimmer to go crazy.

 

[Ewestfall]

I am assuming this was a skimmer you bought used or had on a previous system? Does it have the two pumps? Master and smaller slave? Are they original red dragon pumps? For the dual pump version, I would start between 7-8". The adjustable nozzle on the pumps is likely going to be key. The more you open them, the lower the water level should be in the skimmer. I would try different extremes. Start at 1.5 turns out and then go to 5 full turns and see what it does. I would also double check the venturi ports where the silicone air tubes connect to the pump. If salt or other stuff blocks the venturi port, that will cause overflows. If you bought this skimmer used or have had it a long time, you might also want to take the silencer apart and clean the foam in the silencer and make sure there is nothing obstructing the air connections inside the silencer. Also, you will want the ozone tubes connected to the pumps on that skimmer so they can pull air.

Lastly, it could be something in your water. If so, it might be one of those scenarios that you should just connect a 5 gallon bucket to the skimmer and let it overflow into the bucket. That will allow the skimmer to drive what ever is in the water out of the system. If this live rock was uncared, then there will be a lot of organics that will be perishing in the rock which could cause a skimmer to go crazy.

Yes dual pumps. Both red dragon pumps. Venturis are clean no build up or debris. I will clean sponges tonight. Can you elaborate on ozone tubes connected to the pump. Not sure what you mean or how to do it. I know what the ozone ports are but not sure how or where to hook them up

 

[Ewestfall]

Update. I understand what you meant about ozone ports now. Checked filters, there clean. So i tried 2 things. I hooked the skimmate to a 5 gallon bucket, while that started i hooked air lines to the 2 ozone ports. As soon as i hooked those lines up it immediately dropped the level and seems to be working a ton better now. Not even close to overflowing.
Please explain to me what was going on so i understand. Nothing about doing this in the owners manuel for sure

 

[slief]

Yes dual pumps. Both red dragon pumps. Venturis are clean no build up or debris. I will clean sponges tonight. Can you elaborate on ozone tubes connected to the pump. Not sure what you mean or how to do it. I know what the ozone ports are but not sure how or where to hook them up

The skimmer comes with red tubing to connect between the ozone ports on the pumps and the brace for the wedge pipe. If the red tubes aren't connected, cap the ozone ports off at the pump. If you don't have the caps that come with the skimmer, go to Pep Boys and in the "Help" Section should be packs of vacuum port covers. They come in a package with a bunch of different sizes in different colors. They are a vinyl plastic material. While i don't think that is the issue, you are drawing extra water in there the ozone port which reduces the air draw slightly. I still think your issue has to do with the nozzle adjustments or something in your water.

Here is a picture of the skimmer with the ozone tube connections as they would come with a new skimmer. Those red tubes are the ozone tubes.

 

[gerryho]

Hi, I have an MBK-200 Extra Slim and it is working great, May I ask how I can connect the outlet of the cup to a drain pipe? Thanks in advance.

 

[slief]

Hi, I have an MBK-200 Extra Slim and it is working great, May I ask how I can connect the outlet of the cup to a drain pipe? Thanks in advance.

Some have used a tap and threaded the hole. Others have glued in a piece of pipe to connect hose to. The hold size should be 8mm but I would double check that. .

 

[sensei]

I have a BK 250 SM Skimmer.
I have around 30 fish in my system, 8 of them big tangs.
skimmer has been running around 16 months.
beside cleaning the cup, I have never cleaned the pump or venturi.
my NO3 is a little high around 15ppm.
Can you tell me what is the routine cleaning maintainence I should do to my BB.
can It be that the efficiency of the BB is reduced due to the lack of cleaning?
please let me know what to inspect and how to clean it?

thanks a lot

 

[studboy36]

Some have used a tap and threaded the hole. Others have glued in a piece of pipe to connect hose to. The hold size should be 8mm but I would double check that. .

10mm is what I measured last night when I started to model the skimmer.

 

[abhishek@1985]

Finally - 10 years dream came true to hold a Bubble King in hand and enter the Royal Exclusive club. Got a DC 150 for a 90 gallon system - mostly acropora with 10 fishes.

Started tuning by having the skimmer in 6.75 inches of sump water . The nozzle on the red dragon is twisted to 4.5 turns according to advice given by Slief to allow more air to enter the skimmer chamber.

Keeping these constant started tuning and aiming to keep the water level where it starts to form bubbles 2 inches below the white collar where the skimmer cup sits.

Bubble King Double Cone 150 users - any thoughts or am I doing it right ?

Regards,
Abhishek