Bubble King Skimmer Club

[fishypets]

Okay so if mine doesn't I have either a bad pump or there is blockage?

Just to clarify I'm talking about the intake on the top of the riser tube.

 

[mlb75]

yea as soon as you plug that intake the pump should start pulling all water instead of the mix and the level in the body should rise noticeably. If it doesn't then I'd definitely check the pump intake, where is that turned to ie all the way in 1 turn out...

How long have you been running this skimmer, is it possible it's just still breaking in?

 

[fishypets]

When I plug it up the mix stops and it's just water however the level starts to lower. I'm positive the black dots line up but it wasn't quite one full turn. Should I start taking the skimmer apart?

The tank is fairly new and the skimmer has been running for over a month.

Thanks for the help!

Clint

 

[jnb]

which skimmer? my 160 mini and 180 mini gen 2 - when i block the air intake the water level rises - in the 180 it rises real fast!!! this was right out of the box or later - break in is not a factor IME.

I have had skimmers in the past that did the opposite - that is why I asked which BK are we talking about.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14215976#post14215976 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mlb75
yea as soon as you plug that intake the pump should start pulling all water instead of the mix and the level in the body should rise noticeably. If it doesn't then I'd definitely check the pump intake, where is that turned to ie all the way in 1 turn out...

How long have you been running this skimmer, is it possible it's just still breaking in?

 

[jnb]

black dots? - must be other than a mini so ignore all my recent dribble

One thing I never did was try this and adjust the water level down, etc - it may make a difference - everytime I clean my skimmer - after I start it back up I put my figure over the intake to get it to get going faster - I want to walk away and know it is around where it needs to be. So my conclusions as to bubbles rising only applies to the water level being around where it is suppose to be not lower.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14216032#post14216032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishypets
When I plug it up the mix stops and it's just water however the level starts to lower. I'm positive the black dots line up but it wasn't quite one full turn. Should I start taking the skimmer apart?

The tank is fairly new and the skimmer has been running for over a month.

Thanks for the help!

Clint

 

[jnb]

may be because you have yours lower than recommended in the first place

was your rock alive when you started this new tank? You may be way oversized until you continue your population of live - but I would do myself a favor and get this skimmer to the correct depth so you can rule that out

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14216032#post14216032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishypets
When I plug it up the mix stops and it's just water however the level starts to lower. I'm positive the black dots line up but it wasn't quite one full turn. Should I start taking the skimmer apart?

The tank is fairly new and the skimmer has been running for over a month.

Thanks for the help!

Clint

 

[jnb]

- it makes no difference what instrument you use to feed. Many foods if not most will cause the skimmer to halt production for a bit - the newer the skimmer the longer it takes to come back - it is normal. Heck, when I feed my tank, the water flow over into my overflow even changes its personality - it gurgles more.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14202318#post14202318 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bmilleraz
Also, I've noticed when I feed the tank, the water level inside the skimmer drops and quits skimming for awhile. This doesn't make any sense as I feed with a turkey baster, any ideas? Do I have the water level too high in the sump for the skimmer?

 

[fishypets]

jnb- The rock was about 90% cured when I put it in the tank. The guy @ kingfish (LFS) said the same thing about the tank being too new and over-skimming at this stage. Hopefully I'll get to work on the sump this coming weekend and that'll take care of it.

Thanks again to everyone chiming in, I really appreciate it!

Clint

 

[Megabite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14216101#post14216101 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnb
Heck, when I feed my tank, the water flow over into my overflow even changes its personality - it gurgles more.

Same here, that's normal. I just got a SM250 for my 180. I was worried that it would be over kill and not do a good job skimming. Thankfully, I was wrong. I can't ask for better performance.

I also found on the SM series that opening the the water intake 1 to 1 1/4 turns from closed works great. This skimmer has only been in my tank for about 3 weeks so it's just breaking in. Everyday that passes it gets better. The water level is about 1/2 from the top of the body before the cone/ neck starts.

Make sure that the intake of the pump is getting the rawest water possible and not receiving any of the water coming out of the skimmer. Every filtering thing you have in front of where the skimmer intakes water (GAC, Socks, etc.) will decrease the performance of the skimmer.

Here's a picture with 2 1/2 days of gunk.

 

[khoivo1]

ok guy ,,i need some help here please...
i got bk300 ext ,,
my question is what is comment problem bk skimmer may have??
i been reading on here and been trying many different way but the skimmer is still doesn't make any skimmate beside making some wet tea ,,for about 6month now,,the bubble pop and pop when it come to the surface ,,,i am about to giving up now so please help me out here,,thanks all

 

[Heinz]

some BKs i found on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOHY9jb3bk4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vVsYu3hnJ4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57yOTIbo7_8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWUgQDUtPSw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX0k-MUpoJU&feature=related

 

[jthao]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14229430#post14229430 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by khoivo1
ok guy ,,i need some help here please...
i got bk300 ext ,,
my question is what is comment problem bk skimmer may have??
i been reading on here and been trying many different way but the skimmer is still doesn't make any skimmate beside making some wet tea ,,for about 6month now,,the bubble pop and pop when it come to the surface ,,,i am about to giving up now so please help me out here,,thanks all

usually tweeking it back and forth will find the sweet spot. if too wet, just lower the outtake pipe a bit. I have no idea how to tweek an external cuss I run an internal myself, but I'm sure others will chime in.. just give as much details as you can on what your problem is and I'm sure someone will be able to help you.

 

[bmilleraz]

Can I attach an air tube from my air intake and route that out of my stand, so I can pull fresh air into the system? Instead of recirculating warmer, hot air?

 

[jthao]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14300798#post14300798 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bmilleraz
Can I attach an air tube from my air intake and route that out of my stand, so I can pull fresh air into the system? Instead of recirculating warmer, hot air?

that's how I have mines.

 

[Proline]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14229430#post14229430 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by khoivo1
ok guy ,,i need some help here please...
i got bk300 ext ,,
my question is what is comment problem bk skimmer may have??
i been reading on here and been trying many different way but the skimmer is still doesn't make any skimmate beside making some wet tea ,,for about 6month now,,the bubble pop and pop when it come to the surface ,,,i am about to giving up now so please help me out here,,thanks all

Hello Khoi,

Do you have an air meter?

- Albert

 

[khoivo1]

No i don't have an air meter ,,,

 

[AquariumSpecialty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14102854#post14102854 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tonyespinoza
Yup, I like Scott. He's very knowledgeable and no-BS. But yeah, I guess his schedule must cause him to miss a lot of email.

Thanks for the comments Tony and ReefKoi. We are doing our best to answer emails within 24 hours (MAX) during week days. Sometimes we reply within minutes but it really just depends on our workflow and such. I've said this before and I will say it again, I'm probably stupid but my personal cell phone # is listed on the site along with the office line. Again, thank you for your support and comments. Keep em coming .

 

[mojo~]

Well I cant stand talking to Scott. lol jk. Well because I have a new BK mini 160 on my way!!! Woot. I have wanted one for a while. We will see how it stacks up to the many past performers I have had. I am really stoked about it. I hope its big enough for my 90g reef.

 

[reefkoi]

No problem Scott, I always support you over the big guys anytime I can! I appreciate you beating them on price most of the time as well! This week I scored some XM bulbs from Scott for a fraction of what Marine Depot wanted!

OK now back to the Bubbleking thread

 

[dobbs]

If anyone is upgrading from a BK160 to a larger skimmer. Please LMK. My BK180 is asking for a little brother.

Dave