Bubble King Skimmer Club

[BriGuy31+]

Do you guys think a BK 160 mini will be too big for my new 65 gallon cube? I would like to upgrade again in a few years and I'm hoping this top of the line skimmer will not be overkill on my new cube. Can you really ever over skim? Slight newbie questions, but I've been good with my CPR bacpak on my NC until now, so I don't know too much about skimmers. But I have learned to buy the nice stuff once and your good to go.

 

[Kinetic]

My BK 160 pump has started to make a really loud "fizzing" sound. What might the problem be?

 

[Jeremy B.]

@BriGuy, the Mini 160 would be perfect on that size system. You could then run it up to around 120gal or so depending on stock load, and should still be just fine.

@Kinetic, when was the last time you had everything apart to clean it? There is a good chance that the silencer is clogging up. I would recommend you break it all down and give everything a good cleaning. Also, pull the impeller out and soak the motorblock and impeller in 1:1 vinegar to water solution overnight.

 

[Creetin]

question for all of you. I currently have a BK mini 160 on my 90 but will be upgrading to a 500 gal system. What skimmer would you suggest? I was thinking SM250? Would that be suffice?

I think it would be fine as long as its not super loaded with fish, If you want to overstock then I would go with the SM300.

 

[Kinetic]

@Kinetic, when was the last time you had everything apart to clean it? There is a good chance that the silencer is clogging up. I would recommend you break it all down and give everything a good cleaning. Also, pull the impeller out and soak the motorblock and impeller in 1:1 vinegar to water solution overnight.

I've never cleaned it. It's only 3 months old tho?

 

[Jeremy B.]

I would recommend cleaning the skimmer every 3-5 months, just make it standard practice. I knew a guy who purchased a Mini 180 that was 10 months old, and pulled the impeller out upon receipt. It was the nastiest, calcium deposit covered impeller I have ever seen. It was completely white!

 

[Kinetic]

crazy! didn't know I needed to clean them out so often. Will do it today. Thanks for the help.

 

[wpnorton]

The Red Dragon pump on my Gen 1 mini BK 160 went out last week. Does anyone know how to get a replacement that doesn't cost $400+? I'm willing to substitute a lesser motor if needed. I'll just need it to work size wise?

 

[Jeremy B.]

Are you 100% sure that the motorblock is dead? I ask because it's VERY rare that the motorblock itself dies, and the impeller or bearing usually goes bad first.

 

[wpnorton]

Nope, I'm not sure it's the motor, but it sure seems like it. The impellor will spin Intermitintly for a minute then stop dead. Manualy rotating the impellor doesn't prompt it to move at all. Could it be a power cord issue? Can I send it in to be serviced?

 

[Proline]

Nope, I'm not sure it's the motor, but it sure seems like it. The impellor will spin Intermitintly for a minute then stop dead. Manualy rotating the impellor doesn't prompt it to move at all. Could it be a power cord issue? Can I send it in to be serviced?

The motorblock isn't dead. You'll want to examine the bearing for calcification, then re-seat it properly.

- Albert

 

[wpnorton]

I'll pull it apart again and examine/clean everything. I hope your right. It sounds like worst case scenario IYO woulb be a bad bearing. I'll let you know if it's still DOA after another vinegar scrubbing.

 

[Creetin]

You will want to check both bearings. The top just under the black plastic plate, and the one thats seated in the motorblock.
My money says the top one needs a good cleaning. Be care full with the top one and dont force it free. Let it soak overnight. (The whole impeller assembly)

 

[wpnorton]

We'll....I'm a dumb ***. After soaking and cleaning the impeller assembly, I tried to reassemble and must have pushed in the wrong spot. The ceramic shaft snapped in two. How do I do about getting a replacement? I think I read somewhere that it takes a 50mm impeller?

 

[Jeremy B.]

We can get an impeller assembly for you. Give us a call at 317-895-9005.

 

[KRASHPD]

For a 50 Gallon tank with 20g sump, would the Mini Bubble King 160 or Alpha Cone 170 be a better skimmer? Or, is there a better choice then these two?

 

[mojo~]

The 160 is even toobig really but it would work. the 170 is bigger yet. IMO, Maybe a SRO 1000, vertex in 100 or something on those lines would be a better fit.

Just my two cents though.

 

[Canadian]

I run a BK Mini 160 on a 50g with 20g sump and I agree with Mojo that it is probably oversized. I don't get the most consistent skimming and I have to keep the bubble line quite high in order to get it to collect in the cup and not smatter skimmate all over the riser tube. And for reference I have 10 fish in my 24" 50g tank, feed 3 times a day and run the outlet from my Biopellets to the skimmer intake (i.e. all things should contribute to more skimmate production).

For a 50 Gallon tank with 20g sump, would the Mini Bubble King 160 or Alpha Cone 170 be a better skimmer? Or, is there a better choice then these two?

 

[asmodeus]

I would recommend cleaning the skimmer every 3-5 months, just make it standard practice. I knew a guy who purchased a Mini 180 that was 10 months old, and pulled the impeller out upon receipt. It was the nastiest, calcium deposit covered impeller I have ever seen. It was completely white!

Hmmmmm that reminds me what is it going to cost for a wet neck. for a SM 250

 

[Gomojoe]

Does the D300 from Premium Aquatics come with the RDII motor? It doesn't really say on the website?