Bubble King Skimmer Club

[slief]

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

Here is a thread on pump maintenance in the Bubble King forum. Dissasembling the pump including removing the rotor and a quick 10 minute soak in vinegar of all parts except the o-rings and then a good scrub of the pump inside and out will keep the pump looking and running like new. I clean my skimmer pumps every 4 or so months. If the venturi port gets restricted from salt creep, that will reduce airflow. Also, if your load changes or the skimmer may need some additional fine tuning. Lastly, skimmers remove dissolved organics. You can't expect your skimmer to maintain your nitrates at 0. That is more of a function of bacteria being able to keep up with the rate of nutrients going in and other processes in the system consuming or not consuming nutrients as well as husbandry. That said, not having a skimmer can make it worse. I don't see 15ppm nitrates as an issue. Mine are around 25ppm, my Po4 is .25 ppm, my corals all grow like weeds and I have no algae issues. I also don't do much maintance. I do 5 gallon a day automated water changes, I have a refugium with a DSB and chaeto but I don't trim my chaeto regularly. As mentioned above, my system is very healthy and thriving. It's been up at this house for 20 years now and there isn't much I would change. It's balanced, stable, consistent and healthy which is what we all strive for. As a result, I don't chase numbers.

Anyhow, here is a thread on the pump maintenance. The first couple posts cover both RD1 and RD3 pumps.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2573406

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

I think you are right. Load, surface tension in the water etc will have a big impact on the optimum level inside the skimmer. You are ultimately aiming for consistency and nice dense pillow like foam up into the neck and with the smaller double cone, having the line where bubbles turn to foam an inch or two below the neck is best.

 

[jerseypete]

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.

I have the 160. This fit perfect in the drain hole. Then I inserted rodi tubing in the center hole with a shut off valve

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[jerseypete]

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.

Pic

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[Chrisrush]

Genius


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[Rick55555]

Afternoon,

I have a Bubble King Mini 160 (v12) that was working beautifully. I took the skimmer apart to clean it and let it soak in vinegar for about 30 minutes (due to recent issues caused by excess epoxy causing the skimmer to repeatedly overflow). I completed a significant water change while the skimmer was soaking to address the epoxy.. The skimmer no longer overflows and appears that the water change got rid of the epoxy residue, but the skimmer is emitting a significant number of micro bubbles from the white buttom outlet pipe into the sump (and display). I'm concerned that I may not have reassembled the skimmer correctly, although it's unlikely.. Are there any adjustments to make or things to look for that might address the micro bubbles? The skimmer could be breaking in again due to the cleanling, but your thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Rick

 

[slief]

Afternoon,

I have a Bubble King Mini 160 (v12) that was working beautifully. I took the skimmer apart to clean it and let it soak in vinegar for about 30 minutes (due to recent issues caused by excess epoxy causing the skimmer to repeatedly overflow). I completed a significant water change while the skimmer was soaking to address the epoxy.. The skimmer no longer overflows and appears that the water change got rid of the epoxy residue, but the skimmer is emitting a significant number of micro bubbles from the white buttom outlet pipe into the sump (and display). I’m concerned that I may not have reassembled the skimmer correctly, although it’s unlikely.. Are there any adjustments to make or things to look for that might address the micro bubbles? The skimmer could be breaking in again due to the cleanling, but your thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Rick

There are no adjustments needed other than the wedge pipe but the skimmer is most likely breaking in again since you cleaned the entire skimmer and not just the pump. Typical beakin takes several days. As such, it should subside within a week or less. That said, avoid long soaks in vinegar. 10 minutes max for the pump. Vinegar is used in the marine boat hull industry to clean up both cured and uncured epoxy. It will soften and damage the epoxy potting used inside the pumps to seal them during the manufacturing process.

 

[Rick55555]

There are no adjustments needed other than the wedge pipe but the skimmer is most likely breaking in again since you cleaned the entire skimmer and not just the pump. Typical beakin takes several days. As such, it should subside within a week or less. That said, avoid long soaks in vinegar. 10 minutes max for the pump. Vinegar is used in the marine boat hull industry to clean up both cured and uncured epoxy. It will soften and damage the epoxy potting used inside the pumps to seal them during the manufacturing process.

I appreciate your reply. I didn't mean to suggest I soaked the pump in vinegar, just the skimmer body (as the pump and skimmer are brand new, so there's no coraline on the pump).

I've since done an additional water change and the skimmer is now back to overflowing (as opposed to appearing stable but emitting micro bubbles through the bottom white pipe).

The tank has run skimmerless for about three weeks, to the detriment of the inhabitants, because (of what appears to be) the use of 2 1/2 sticks of epoxy. I have gradually completed a 100%+ water change (and I've removed the Aquastik epoxy). I am not sure what else to do at this point other than wait. I have also been running carbon.

Does the overflowing issue still seem like the skimmer's breaking in, given the series of events described above?

Thanks,
Rick

 

[slief]

I appreciate your reply. I didn't mean to suggest I soaked the pump in vinegar, just the skimmer body (as the pump and skimmer are brand new, so there's no coraline on the pump).

I've since done an additional water change and the skimmer is now back to overflowing (as opposed to appearing stable but emitting micro bubbles through the bottom white pipe).

The tank has run skimmerless for about three weeks, to the detriment of the inhabitants, because (of what appears to be) the use of 2 1/2 sticks of epoxy. I have gradually completed a 100%+ water change (and I've removed the Aquastik epoxy). I am not sure what else to do at this point other than wait. I have also been running carbon.

Does the overflowing issue still seem like the skimmer's breaking in, given the series of events described above?

Thanks,
Rick

The overflowing likely has nothing to do with breakin. It could have to do with the stuff in the epoxy leaching out of the expoxy despite your water changes but you still need to address the skimmer in the meantime. First, make sure the wedge pipe is open all the way as that will raise or lower the level inside the skimmer. If it is open all the way, then you need to raise the skimmer up a bit on a stand or lower the sump level. That will reduce the level inside the skimmer to the point that the overflowing will subside. Once the skimmer catches up, you will likely need to close the wedge pipe some to fine tune. I would start by raising the skimmer or lowering the sump level 1/2" and see what that does. If the overflow persists, you will need to raise the skimmer up a bit more or lower the sump level a bit more until you can get the line where bubbles turn to foam about an inch or two below the white PVC part that the cup sits on top of. You can get a piece of egg crate and place it under the skimmer to raise it up.

Also, not sure if you are aware but we have a dedicated forum here including threads of tuning the skimmers.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=745

 

[Rick55555]

The overflowing likely has nothing to do with breakin. It could have to do with the stuff in the epoxy leaching out of the expoxy despite your water changes but you still need to address the skimmer in the meantime. First, make sure the wedge pipe is open all the way as that will raise or lower the level inside the skimmer. If it is open all the way, then you need to raise the skimmer up a bit on a stand or lower the sump level. That will reduce the level inside the skimmer to the point that the overflowing will subside. Once the skimmer catches up, you will likely need to close the wedge pipe some to fine tune. I would start by raising the skimmer or lowering the sump level 1/2" and see what that does. If the overflow persists, you will need to raise the skimmer up a bit more or lower the sump level a bit more until you can get the line where bubbles turn to foam about an inch or two below the white PVC part that the cup sits on top of. You can get a piece of egg crate and place it under the skimmer to raise it up.

Also, not sure if you are aware but we have a dedicated forum here including threads of tuning the skimmers.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=745

Perfect! I will give it a whirl and follow-up in the dedicated forum accordingly.

Thanks,
Rick

 

[Pedro3178]

Bubble king 180

Bubble king 180

Came across this forum and wondered if someone could please give me some advice.

I have a bubble king 180 that I am having an issue with. I have came down three separate mornings now to find my skimmers water level as dropped all the way down with hardly any foam at all , if I turn off skimmer and turn back on it returns to normal operation with no other adjustments at all.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[slief]

Came across this forum and wondered if someone could please give me some advice.

I have a bubble king 180 that I am having an issue with. I have came down three separate mornings now to find my skimmers water level as dropped all the way down with hardly any foam at all , if I turn off skimmer and turn back on it returns to normal operation with no other adjustments at all.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Post replied to in the Royal Exclusiv/Bubble King forum.

 

[Kinetic]

Is there any news on the new Royal Exclusiv Micro skimmers?

http://bit.ly/2iF71FN

I'm looking for a good solution for my Red Sea Reefer 170, but most BK skimmers are way too oversized. This micro one might fit the bill.

I'm currently running a NYOS Quantum 120, but hoping for something quieter.

 

[slief]

Is there any news on the new Royal Exclusiv Micro skimmers?

http://bit.ly/2iF71FN

I'm looking for a good solution for my Red Sea Reefer 170, but most BK skimmers are way too oversized. This micro one might fit the bill.

I'm currently running a NYOS Quantum 120, but hoping for something quieter.

No word yet. Keep an eye on the Royal Exclusiv forum for official news.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=745

 

[Kinetic]

No word yet. Keep an eye on the Royal Exclusiv forum for official news.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=745

Thanks slief!

 

[sensei]

slief,

I have a BK 250 SM Skimmer in my 600g system.
I have 30 fish now, 10 of them big tangs that produce a lot of waste.
I see that the skimmer has two pump ports at the base. one is used for the RD pump.
is it possible to conect a 2ndo pump to the same skimmer??
I would like to increase the efficiency of the skimmer and keep water more oxiganated?
I have seen some models with two pumps

I wish I woudl have bought the BK 300 SM but I did not.

please tell me what you think

thanks

 

[slief]

slief,

I have a BK 250 SM Skimmer in my 600g system.
I have 30 fish now, 10 of them big tangs that produce a lot of waste.
I see that the skimmer has two pump ports at the base. one is used for the RD pump.
is it possible to conect a 2ndo pump to the same skimmer??
I would like to increase the efficiency of the skimmer and keep water more oxiganated?
I have seen some models with two pumps

I wish I woudl have bought the BK 300 SM but I did not.

please tell me what you think

thanks

That skimmer is designed for a single pump. The 2nd port is there for people who need to relocate the pump for different sump configurations. Adding a 2nd pump will screw up the skimmers performance as it would decrease the contact time within the skimmer which would make it unbalanced and far less efficient. The bubbles would rise twice as fast and they would burst at the surface instead of creating better foam. There is no reason to do that either. I have the same skimmer on my system with over 70 fish. 10 of them are tangs are other fish that are well over 8" long. I feed very heavily and would assume I have a much heavier load than you do and I would never think about adding a 2nd pump. And for the record, the SM300 would most likely have been too large for your load. The SM250 could handle MUCH more than you are throwing at it. You aren't even close to the end of it's capacities. In fact, i wouldn't even run the SM300 on my system becaue I don't feel I have a heavy enough load to keep it consistent without having to run it really wet. You have to realize these skimmers are very conservatively rated. At the low end of the the tank size range (and our sizing is based on display size not system size) it's assumed you would have a heavy load and a truly heavy load is 1/2" of fish per display gallon.

 

[sensei]

Thanks Slief

 

[slief]

Thanks Slief

:beer:

 

[mlb75]

WOW you're making me feel bad for running my SM250 on a 300 display with only 5 big tangs...

 

[slief]

WOW you're making me feel bad for running my SM250 on a 300 display with only 5 big tangs...

LOL.. Well to be honest, the SM250 wouldn't have been my first recommendation for that load.. I would have leaned towards the SM200 or Deluxe 200.. :thumbsup: