Bubble Master Skimmers more info wanted???
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Roland Jacques
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8798173#post8798173 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
Both pumps together, running through a single tube to measure, for the BM250 yields 1800 - 2000lph. Not sure why it isn't closer to 2800lph in total???
I think the Low combined readings on the 250 is a result of the flowmeter setup. 1/4" fitting and hose sizes and even the flowmeter itself restrict air flow. As your air flow goes up it requires bigger hoses and fittings... to minimize the restrictions to get accurate readings. When testing aircraft parts you are suppose to add a pressure/vaccume gauges to help get accurate flow readings. Anyway that my theory FWIW.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
uh, I dont see how using a 1/4" flowmeter will change much. The 10" RMC series flowmeters I have might have the 1/2" in and out threads, but the air still has to pass through the meter which is the most restrictive part. The only way to get a true reading is with a laser flow unit.
If someone wants a monster, I have 2 extra 'used' RMC flow meters... 10-100 scfm models. Id let them go for $10 a pop + shipping. Keep in mind... 10-100 scfm, not scfh.
If someone wants a monster, I have 2 extra 'used' RMC flow meters... 10-100 scfm models. Id let them go for $10 a pop + shipping. Keep in mind... 10-100 scfm, not scfh.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
uh, I dont see how using a 1/4" flowmeter will change much. The 10" RMC series flowmeters I have might have the 1/2" in and out threads, but the air still has to pass through the meter which is the most restrictive part. The only way to get a true reading is with a laser flow unit.
If someone wants a monster, I have 2 extra 'used' RMC flow meters... 10-100 scfm models. Id let them go for $10 a pop + shipping. Keep in mind... 10-100 scfm, not scfh.
If someone wants a monster, I have 2 extra 'used' RMC flow meters... 10-100 scfm models. Id let them go for $10 a pop + shipping. Keep in mind... 10-100 scfm, not scfh.
Jim_S
Timo Boll
Re: !
Re: !
:lol:
Sweet. My office is actually in El dorado hills, and my folks live up in Serrano....
yeah, the weather here is FREEZING (compared to what us Californians are used to in the summer).....
I forgot to pull my car in the garage the other night and it froze over! Something I'm definetly not used to.....
BTW, congrats on the Acura. Sweet cars.
Jim
Re: !
:lol:
Sweet. My office is actually in El dorado hills, and my folks live up in Serrano....
yeah, the weather here is FREEZING (compared to what us Californians are used to in the summer).....
I forgot to pull my car in the garage the other night and it froze over! Something I'm definetly not used to.....
BTW, congrats on the Acura. Sweet cars.
Jim
UCanDoIt
In Memoriam
10%-20% warm vinegar solution for a few hours will do. Then if you have time, take water from a recent water change from your tank and pour in some skimmate from your last collection cup cleaning and run the skimmer in the tub with that for a couple of days to build up the slime and you're good to go. You don't really need to do all this, but it's the fastest way to get a brand new skimmer up and running.
Bono
New member
I received my BM250 yesterday and ran it in the 20% vinegar that UCanDoIt suggested. The skimmer foamed up right away and looked great for a few hrs. I then swapped the vinegar for old SW and one of the pumps made a grinding/thumbing noise. I took it apart and reassembled but it still made the noise. I finally got it to settle down after playing with it for a few minutes, but strangly I had to prop the pump up about 1/2in so the thumbing would stop. This pump also has a slight leak where the housing meets the pump and you can see a line of micro bubbles coming up.
Any suggestions? Also, when I took the prop out it had a mesh attached with zip ties. For some reason I didn't think the BM pumps came that way.
Any suggestions? Also, when I took the prop out it had a mesh attached with zip ties. For some reason I didn't think the BM pumps came that way.
UCanDoIt
In Memoriam
1. Is the pump making a rattling noise, like struggling to kick over? When you turn off the pump and then turn it on again, does it have struggle kicking over again and rattles a little? Does it go away if you put your finger over the pump's intake hole to restrict the flow a little bit? I'm thinking the threadpad might not be trimmed down enough. But I wouldn't trim it until you had the skimmer running for at least a week or two.
2. As for the leak, is it coming from the pump or is it coming from the side of the silicone tubing that attaches the pump to the skimmer body? If coming from the silicone hose, remove the pump and make sure that the silicone hose is seated all the way into the pump. Then apply very little silicone grease to the connection hole that accepts the silicone hose. The slight grease will allow the silicone hose to insert easily and stays really snug, so nothing escapes.
Yes, the thread material is attached to the wheel with 3 zip ties. Very easily to replace if needed. BTW, I got all this info from my local dealer who tested all 3 units and this is based on his experience and lots of discussions with me during the testing period.
2. As for the leak, is it coming from the pump or is it coming from the side of the silicone tubing that attaches the pump to the skimmer body? If coming from the silicone hose, remove the pump and make sure that the silicone hose is seated all the way into the pump. Then apply very little silicone grease to the connection hole that accepts the silicone hose. The slight grease will allow the silicone hose to insert easily and stays really snug, so nothing escapes.
Yes, the thread material is attached to the wheel with 3 zip ties. Very easily to replace if needed. BTW, I got all this info from my local dealer who tested all 3 units and this is based on his experience and lots of discussions with me during the testing period.
UCanDoIt
In Memoriam
:thumbsup: Now that's awesome skimmate. Also, it looks rather dry, not the usual wetter skimmate. Please contribute to the ReefGeek forum thread about your experiences with other skimmers and post some nasty photos there as well:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=985567
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=985567
that is how these skimmers are suppose to work, that is some awesome skimmate, bubble kings are going to have to start lowering there prices, a new competitor in town, and this pic shows that ATI is finally getting in shape
NICE!!!:smokin: :smokin: :smokin:
NICE!!!:smokin: :smokin: :smokin:
Bono
New member
The pump does make the rattling sound and when I play with the cover it works ok. I have to position it just right to stop the noise but it's been running for several hrs and seems fine. By trimming the thread pad do you mean the mesh or the yellow piece?
The leak seems to be coming from the removable cover plate (not sure what to call it) that covers the top of the mesh wheel and not from the clear silicon tube. Does this cover have a gasket and if so should I grease that? The leak is minimal although, I'm concerned that it will leak micro bubbles into my sump.
Zenman,
How long have you had the skimmer and how long did it take to work that well?
I must say I'm thoroughly impressed so far. The air tube on my reefoctopus is about half the diameter of the BM's.
The leak seems to be coming from the removable cover plate (not sure what to call it) that covers the top of the mesh wheel and not from the clear silicon tube. Does this cover have a gasket and if so should I grease that? The leak is minimal although, I'm concerned that it will leak micro bubbles into my sump.
Zenman,
How long have you had the skimmer and how long did it take to work that well?
I must say I'm thoroughly impressed so far. The air tube on my reefoctopus is about half the diameter of the BM's.
Bono,
I've had my BM 250 for about 9 days. It took about 3-4 days of playing around with it to get it to work like it is now. I made several changes documented here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=994984
I've had my BM 250 for about 9 days. It took about 3-4 days of playing around with it to get it to work like it is now. I made several changes documented here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=994984
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