Yes, there is a substantial air draw and water flow increase with the Gen 2 models of the 180 and 200. The Mini 160 is virtually the same in performance between Gen 1 and Gen 2, as there only very minor changes, and no changes at all to the pump or impeller on that model.
Bubble King Skimmer Club
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
NyReefNoob
skimmer freak
woot woot just joined the club with a bk mini 160, well opinions after about 18 other skimmers, this is by far the best built skimmer { vertex second } but see why. truelly easy to set-up. will give better opinion after a few weeks
bayoupr
New member
Why is my Mini 180 pulling 55scfh of air? Right now I have to run the water level 1" below the water level line on the skimmer to keep from over flowing. Is this normal? It was pulling 60scfh untill I realized that the air ventura was not push in all the way on the volutte from the last time I cleaned the skimmer. I have pushed it in and I am still pulling 55scfh. My air meter is pretty accurate as compared to some of my friends meters. And no I haven't dosed or added any thing different than I normally do. When I first got this skimmer I was pulling 45-50scfh. Did I get a skimmer with the wrong pinwheel? Not complaining if this is the case but then what level would I have to run my skimmer at? Skimmer running in 8.5" water and wedge pipe closed 50%.
Could be variances in the following.......
- air meter being used compared to others
- your specific motor block from askoll
- slightly elongated pins on the impeller (could measure this for us)
- your skimmer depth in the sump (the deeper you are the more it's going to pull)
- air density (always varying)
...... as well as other countless variables that come into play. Are you dumping a bunch of microbubbles out of the exhaust?
I would look at the 400 or 500, just depending on load. I think either would be fine. I have a local customer who is using a 650 on about 1500g, and another on 2000+, and it's doing just fine, so I don't believe that the 400 and 500 would be oversized on that size system.
You're about 300lph high, which could be the difference of 6.5" - 7" sump depth to the 8.5" sump depth you're running. It could also have had a Mini 200 venturi or impeller inside of it, instead of the 180.
If you're concerned about it and don't mind taking some measurements let me know and I'll look into it. If not, and it's not spewing out microbubbles, then I would roll with it.
If you're concerned about it and don't mind taking some measurements let me know and I'll look into it. If not, and it's not spewing out microbubbles, then I would roll with it.
NyReefNoob
skimmer freak
ok so how long did it take u mini user's before the skimmer really kicked in and ran consistant ? on day 5 now i get it dialed and seems good then i come home from work and either nor head or it skimmed really wet btw have a gen 2 mini 160 in 8"
NyReefNoob
skimmer freak
bk 160
bk 160
here are some pic's of the skimmer, drain from tank comes down behind the skimmer so it isnt really splashing to cause difference in the intake, also have seen it say these pull between 600-1000 lp what makes the difference, tank is definately over stocked for fish but they all get alog and as 2 get a little bigger then will get pulled out, water line is right at the mark on the bk too, and sump level is 8" non changing
bk 160
here are some pic's of the skimmer, drain from tank comes down behind the skimmer so it isnt really splashing to cause difference in the intake, also have seen it say these pull between 600-1000 lp what makes the difference, tank is definately over stocked for fish but they all get alog and as 2 get a little bigger then will get pulled out, water line is right at the mark on the bk too, and sump level is 8" non changing
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NyReefNoob
skimmer freak
also i see the bk 160 listed as air draw of 600-1000 how does it change and what do i need to do or is it from water depth ?
NyReefNoob
skimmer freak
so the less depth the higher air draw ? it is sitting in 8" depth now and do believe you can go down to 6" so with it lower would be a higher air draw if i am correct ?
ghostman
New member
I have a question for the BK experts here. I just bought a used BK mini 180, and have a question about the collection cup. My collection cup comes apart and I am wondering if this is normal. The white plastic base is not glued to the outer or inner clear plastic tube. The inner riser tube has a black o-ring to make it fit well, but the outer clear tube (the external sides of the collection cup) is not glue to the white base. In operation, I noticed drips of skimmate coming from the collection cup, and dripping back into the sump. I think something is wrong. Does the outer clear tube use an o-ring gasket, or is it supposed to be glued down to the white base? If it is supposed to be glue, what type is recommended for secure operation? Thanks in advance.
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