bernie lyons
New member
B&K necks
B&K necks
Looks deceiving from the pictures , thanks for clearing that up Naga ! bernie lyons
B&K necks
Looks deceiving from the pictures , thanks for clearing that up Naga ! bernie lyons
Bubble King
- Thread starter gregt
- Start date
bernie lyons
New member
B&K neck
B&K neck
Steve , looks impressive !!! Any issues on adjustments to your insump B&K skimmer ? bernie
B&K neck
Steve , looks impressive !!! Any issues on adjustments to your insump B&K skimmer ? bernie
GTR
Active member
Bernie...
I really had no problems with adjustments from the beginning other than to understand what the adjustments did.
I've found the screw adjustment of the Red Dragon input valuable in adjusting the air/water flow into the skimmer. With the collection bucket removed from the body you can turn the threaded input to the RD and see the difference in at least water flow. I've found the best result is when the input is adjusted so that the foam head overflowing the body is a smooth all white foam with rounded top. If it's adjusted incorrect I see a lot of turbulence with maybe 3-4 high spots of not so dense foam or maybe clear water breaking the surface. I think this is a sign of to much water flow or turbulence in the main body.
Here's a pic of the main body with the collection bucket removed, it shows the smoothness of the overflowing foam with next to no high spots.
This skimmer is on a system at my rubber business so most weekends it's left alone from Friday PM to Monday AM and it's important to me that the system be stable and reliable for days at a time.
Couple weeks ago I had to lower the sump running water level by about 2" because I changed sump plumbing in the system and by days end I had it readjusted to compensate for the difference.
Other than an ASM this is the only NW skimmer I've used. But I've had downdraft and venturi type skimmers in the past that for some reason every now and then just go nuts and overflow flooding the collection cup contents back into the system. The BK has never done that since installed in 3-2005.
SteveU
I really had no problems with adjustments from the beginning other than to understand what the adjustments did.
I've found the screw adjustment of the Red Dragon input valuable in adjusting the air/water flow into the skimmer. With the collection bucket removed from the body you can turn the threaded input to the RD and see the difference in at least water flow. I've found the best result is when the input is adjusted so that the foam head overflowing the body is a smooth all white foam with rounded top. If it's adjusted incorrect I see a lot of turbulence with maybe 3-4 high spots of not so dense foam or maybe clear water breaking the surface. I think this is a sign of to much water flow or turbulence in the main body.
Here's a pic of the main body with the collection bucket removed, it shows the smoothness of the overflowing foam with next to no high spots.
This skimmer is on a system at my rubber business so most weekends it's left alone from Friday PM to Monday AM and it's important to me that the system be stable and reliable for days at a time.
Couple weeks ago I had to lower the sump running water level by about 2" because I changed sump plumbing in the system and by days end I had it readjusted to compensate for the difference.
Other than an ASM this is the only NW skimmer I've used. But I've had downdraft and venturi type skimmers in the past that for some reason every now and then just go nuts and overflow flooding the collection cup contents back into the system. The BK has never done that since installed in 3-2005.
SteveU
bernie lyons
New member
B&K
B&K
Thanks SteveU for the details on dialing in the insump B&K !
Your skimmer looks to have a TON of froth - lots of dense fine bubbles. Very impressive ! - bernie
B&K
Thanks SteveU for the details on dialing in the insump B&K !
Your skimmer looks to have a TON of froth - lots of dense fine bubbles. Very impressive ! - bernie
Lunchbucket
Premium Member
Klaus - amazing work. i can't wait to see one in person someday.
have you ever thought about making skimmers for smaller tanks? i have a 58gal dieing to try one on!!! make one so i can have a BK too!
Lunchbucket
have you ever thought about making skimmers for smaller tanks? i have a 58gal dieing to try one on!!! make one so i can have a BK too!
Lunchbucket
Klaus Jansen
.Registered Member
@Lunchbucket..
yes... in the next future, comming new BKÃ"šÃ‚´s on the market, for smaller tanks. Many, many reefer ask me, for development smaller skimmers...on base of Bubble King Deluxe...
Modell 160 - 180 - and 200. This is the BK-Lowcost-Line for tanks under 300 Gallons. At the moment we testing new mini-Red Dragons for new skimmers. The Mini-Red-Dragon for modell 200 make 800 Liter air intake ( 215 g/ph) 1500 liter waterflow ( 400 g/ph) and using 28 Watts energy.
Next time, we posting pictures from the new skimmers...
The best modell for LunchbucketÃ"šÃ‚´s 58 gallons tank was modell 160 with 105 g/ph air-intake...
best regards to USA .... Klaus
yes... in the next future, comming new BKÃ"šÃ‚´s on the market, for smaller tanks. Many, many reefer ask me, for development smaller skimmers...on base of Bubble King Deluxe...
Modell 160 - 180 - and 200. This is the BK-Lowcost-Line for tanks under 300 Gallons. At the moment we testing new mini-Red Dragons for new skimmers. The Mini-Red-Dragon for modell 200 make 800 Liter air intake ( 215 g/ph) 1500 liter waterflow ( 400 g/ph) and using 28 Watts energy.
Next time, we posting pictures from the new skimmers...
The best modell for LunchbucketÃ"šÃ‚´s 58 gallons tank was modell 160 with 105 g/ph air-intake...
best regards to USA .... Klaus
Lunchbucket
Premium Member
Klaus - good to hear!!! i'm excited. when can we expect to see these on the market???? let me know if you need a test tank in the US 
you've got my undivided attention now!!!
Lunchbucket
you've got my undivided attention now!!!
Lunchbucket
HOZERTHEBONEFISH
Member
Any progress notes/midterm grades from BK owners?
I am trying to decide BK versus Deltec. I realize that BK is a technologically superior product but I get a sense that it is a bit finicky to set up and to maintain. Please correct me if I am wrong!
I am trying to decide BK versus Deltec. I realize that BK is a technologically superior product but I get a sense that it is a bit finicky to set up and to maintain. Please correct me if I am wrong!
HOZERTHEBONEFISH
Member
Also...
Anybody know what the projected lifespan of the pumps on BK are and is it repairable afterwards...(or do you have to drop a couple grand on a new pump every 5 years?)
Anybody know what the projected lifespan of the pumps on BK are and is it repairable afterwards...(or do you have to drop a couple grand on a new pump every 5 years?)
moonpod
Premium Member
I imagine the pumps have a long, long lifetime. I mean I have a 10 year old eheim and the things gotta be at least that good. The impellors come in two options. A "plastic" "POM" version or titanium. The "POM" are considered "better" for some reason, but obviously are more vulnerable to wear/breakage. The titanium obviously is more durable.
The BK so far has been very stable. I haven't adjusted it once since setting the "sweet spot" for my setup.
However as a past Deltec owner I will tell you those are nothing to sneeze at. There are certain things that I think the BK does better, but there is a price premium and whether or not it's "worth it"....well everyone needs to make their own relative value judgements. I mean there's at least one guy who consistently praises sea clowns on this board.
The BK so far has been very stable. I haven't adjusted it once since setting the "sweet spot" for my setup.
However as a past Deltec owner I will tell you those are nothing to sneeze at. There are certain things that I think the BK does better, but there is a price premium and whether or not it's "worth it"....well everyone needs to make their own relative value judgements. I mean there's at least one guy who consistently praises sea clowns on this board.
FunkieReefJunkie
Member
I set mine up originally wide open on the telescope pipe, then slowly closed it down a little and then played with the intake on the pump. Now she is pulling diaper poo quality skimmate. Also I've loosely run some ozone into the air intake. This I noticed thickens up the skimmate a bit more than necessary.
Break in time is determined by whether you rinse the skimmer with chlorinated water to remove the plastic residue and fish load. I started off with a light fish load and then steadied up a bit and then noticed the poo extraction getting pretty impressive.
Fliger
New member
Hey Henry - with the craftsmanship of the RD that is only evident when you run one firsthand, I'd imagine they will run a very long time. Its probably the finest piece of equipment in our hobby - period.
I would agree with Chuck totally - Deltec is a great product. I put BK, Deltec and H&S in a category completely by themselves. They are all constructed perfectly, researched and optimized to near perfection.
There is a premium for the BK, but I think the skimming for dollar quality is pretty equal. There is no doubt that the BK300 ($2500) is much stronger than the 702 2x1260 ($1700). But its also $800 more. I'd put the 300 more inline with the 1003 3x1260 ($3100+). There is another great choice of H&S 3x1260 A300 for $2300. I had that skimmer and can say with complete certainty it was as good as the BK300. Its also less expensive, uses Eheims which can be replaced easily. The downside to me is that is louder.
I just sold my BK because it won't fit under my new tank. And I'm using Chuck's old 702. My next skimmer is a VERY tough choice. It will either be a BK250 internal, Deltec 702 or a custom H&S. And it IS a tough choice. I think the BK might be the best, but I prefer externals (can't fit an ext BK under the tank). The Deltec and H&S are a toss up. Deltecs look sexier, but replacement parts are expensive. Deltec charges over $500 for an Eheim as H&S is $299 for the same pump.
As far as customer service - H&S and Deltec have a slight edge here. Getting a hold of someone to help you is probably equal among the three, but getting parts will be MUCH easier for D and H&S. But BK is working hard to change that.
Hard choice, but there is no bad one!
I would agree with Chuck totally - Deltec is a great product. I put BK, Deltec and H&S in a category completely by themselves. They are all constructed perfectly, researched and optimized to near perfection.
There is a premium for the BK, but I think the skimming for dollar quality is pretty equal. There is no doubt that the BK300 ($2500) is much stronger than the 702 2x1260 ($1700). But its also $800 more. I'd put the 300 more inline with the 1003 3x1260 ($3100+). There is another great choice of H&S 3x1260 A300 for $2300. I had that skimmer and can say with complete certainty it was as good as the BK300. Its also less expensive, uses Eheims which can be replaced easily. The downside to me is that is louder.
I just sold my BK because it won't fit under my new tank. And I'm using Chuck's old 702. My next skimmer is a VERY tough choice. It will either be a BK250 internal, Deltec 702 or a custom H&S. And it IS a tough choice. I think the BK might be the best, but I prefer externals (can't fit an ext BK under the tank). The Deltec and H&S are a toss up. Deltecs look sexier, but replacement parts are expensive. Deltec charges over $500 for an Eheim as H&S is $299 for the same pump.
As far as customer service - H&S and Deltec have a slight edge here. Getting a hold of someone to help you is probably equal among the three, but getting parts will be MUCH easier for D and H&S. But BK is working hard to change that.
Hard choice, but there is no bad one!
Last edited:
HOZERTHEBONEFISH
Member
Moonpod and Fliger:
Thanks for your help guys. Looks like I will likely order BK.
Next dillema, what is the best model: 300 400 or 500ext? It will be used in a fish room so size is not an issue. I will have a heavily stocked 400 gallon(total volume) sps dominated system.
Question for you guys... What is the size of the neck of the 300 and 400 ext compared to say Deltec 702's neck. If they are similar would it possible to mod and tweak the SCH and mount it...Just wondering out loud.
Thanks for your help guys. Looks like I will likely order BK.
Next dillema, what is the best model: 300 400 or 500ext? It will be used in a fish room so size is not an issue. I will have a heavily stocked 400 gallon(total volume) sps dominated system.
Question for you guys... What is the size of the neck of the 300 and 400 ext compared to say Deltec 702's neck. If they are similar would it possible to mod and tweak the SCH and mount it...Just wondering out loud.
HOZERTHEBONEFISH,
Now that I've built this prototype self cleaning head for my AP902 (thanks for your input moonpod!) I think it's possible to adapt a similar design to most ANY skimmer. I've had this hooked-up for a few weeks now and truly believe it when they say it improves performance by 20%. This one is variable speed with a Swiss motor, custom made brushes and the auto-flush feature. I am building a new version that doesn't look so DIY. This IMO is a must have for those HUGE Bubble King cups.:fish1:
Luis
Now that I've built this prototype self cleaning head for my AP902 (thanks for your input moonpod!) I think it's possible to adapt a similar design to most ANY skimmer. I've had this hooked-up for a few weeks now and truly believe it when they say it improves performance by 20%. This one is variable speed with a Swiss motor, custom made brushes and the auto-flush feature. I am building a new version that doesn't look so DIY. This IMO is a must have for those HUGE Bubble King cups.:fish1:
Luis
