Bubble King Skimmer Club

[slief]

Jeremy I am still having trouble dialing in my new skimmer. It's been a little more than two weeks now and I can't seem to get any kind of consistent skimmate out of it. I would like to see if you can help me troubleshoot this. I am not sure when someone says waterlines what are we referring to. I am not sure where the small bubbles break into big bubbles should be. I am not sure on any of the levels whatsoever at this point. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated or anybody here on this forum for that matter.
Thank you in advance to anybody who is able to help.

What size Supermarin skimmer did you get and what size tank/bio load do you have? Did you get the one with the RD3 pump or the one with the standard Red Dragons with the adjustable volute? Also, how deep (in inches) is the water level in the sump in relation to the skimmer?

If you are not getting consistent skim out of it, you will likely need to raise the water level of your sump in 1/4" increments so that the skimmer sits deeper in the water. That will raise the bubble level up further in the skimmer. Once you get it to a point where the bubbles are making their way up the neck, you will fine tune using the wedge pipe and the volute on the pump or electronic adjustment on the RD3.

Edit, I went and searched out your build thread. Looks like you have a 300 gallon system with only a handful of fish. If that is the case, your bio load is pretty light and as such, there may not be much waste for your skimmer to drive out unless you run it fairly wet. Is that a Supermarin 250? Still wondering what your water level is and if that is the RD3 variable speed pump.

 

[bmanzie]

Thank you for your response.
I do have the SM 250 with the RD3 variable speed pump.
It is sitting in 8 1/2 of water and I have between 20-30 fish.

 

[slief]

Thank you for your response.
I do have the SM 250 with the RD3 variable speed pump.
It is sitting in 8 1/2 of water and I have between 20-30 fish.

Assuming you have played around with the RD3 flow control as well as the wedge pipe, I would raise your sump level to 9". For your low bioload, I think 8.5" of water is on the low side. I think you will end up someplace between 9 and 9 1/2". If it were me, I would have started around 9" depth. Depending on your long term plans for fish stocking, that 250 may be too much skimmer for your tank considering you have what I consider to be a low bio load. I could be wrong though. I was considering a Supermarin 250 over the 300 for my tank which is larger with more fish and several larger fish along with fairly heavy feeding. I currently run an Alpha 300 which I love but have long been considering a Supermarin.

None the less, I would start by raising the water level in the sump and open the wedge pipe all the way. That will raise the water level in the skimmer. Then adjust the pump until you get a nice foam head working it's way up the neck. Let it settle in for several hours before making more adjustments. The idea is to get a nice packed foam head in the skimmers neck and then use the wedge pipe to raise or lower it from a dry skim to wet skim. If you don't get the results you are after, raise it 1/4" more. If you cant keep it from overflowing, lower the sump level 1/4".

 

[apexifd]

I want to be in the club. but which one should I get for my system??

SM250 or SM200??

I currently have Skimz SM251.

 

[Adamc1303]

Hey Adam, BK is no longer offering the self cleaning head, which was actually made by AquaDriver. The quality on these turned out to be really bad, so BK pulled the product. Look into the Vertex SCH, that should work perfect for you and is a much improved product over the old AquaDriver.

Hey Jeremy do you know which size lid fits for a sm250?

 

[Jeremy B.]

Yes, you want the 250 lid (250mm).

 

[spinsonic]

Hi Jeremy

I'm curious what is the ideal setting for the alpha 170. Have mine running for two weeks now, but skim seems to be light ice tea color. its sitting in 9" depth with pump screw turned out 4 times, and output pipe fully opened. I do get a lot of "foamy sud" up top, however its not dirty as i thought it should be.

thank you

 

[sean2sean]

I joined the club today with a SM250! Jeremy do they still sell the SCH? How much does it cost? Are there any SCH that will fit this skimmer that also have the water cleaning feature that the BK has?


Thanks,

Adam

im using a swabbie on my sm250 and its been working great.

http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/proteinskimmers/SWABBIE

 

[Adamc1303]

Yes, you want the 250 lid (250mm).

Thanks!

 

[Adamc1303]

im using a swabbie on my sm250 and its been working great.

http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/proteinskimmers/SWABBIE

Large Swabbies are back ordered, I got the vectra. Let's see how it performs. I have never been disappointed in a Vertex product yet.

 

[bmanzie]

Thank you slief.
Jeremy, do you suggest anything else to try?
I can't move the skimmer down anymore. What should the RD3 be set at?

 

[billyboy69]

about to pick up a used 180 anyone know where i can get a new pump for it?? old not working apparently

 

[sreefs]

I would try PremiumAquatics.com
Pat

 

[sean2sean]

I running a bubble blaster pump on my bk. Works just fine.

 

[billyboy69]

thanks guys.. can't wait to get it home and working, should have it here in two weeks

 

[Vincee78]

Which bk for 70-80 gallons (new setup)

Bk mini 160
Bk double cone 150
Or bk bouble cone 180 with rd3 pump

 

[Klaus Jansen]

@Vincee78

Double Cone 180 + RD3 Speedy Pump. Deadsilent DC Pump without Restart- or loosing Needlewheel-Problems .

@Billyboy69

Please contact Premium Aquatics, he have RE Spareparts on Stock.

best regards ...

 

[Vincee78]

Klaus , there is no air noise with the bk double cone 180?
My tank is in my bedroom ... so i need a skimmer very quiet.

 

[Jeremy B.]

Klaus , there is no air noise with the bk double cone 180?
My tank is in my bedroom ... so i need a skimmer very quiet.

There is ZERO noise coming from the skimmer. I will personally guarantee you that you can not find a more quiet needlewheel / venturi skimmer than a Bubble King that is running the Red Dragon 3 DC pump on it.

 

[Jfannin]

well i believe i may start looking for a BK for my 120g Full sps with a 40g sump.

Im wanting to have my tank SLN because im sick on algae. I want a very over powered skimmer. I always read something like double the recommended size is good but triple can be two much. Currently i have a Reef Octopus 120 pinwheel and im pretty sure thats always been my issue with algae. I have a refugi with cheato but dont want to need it. I truly want a new skimmer to starve it to death. I figure if it dies so will any other algae