Bubble Master Skimmers more info wanted???
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Breaking-in my BM 250
Breaking-in my BM 250
Hi all, thought I'd post my pic's of my BM 250. I'm currently on day 4 of the break-in process, and all seems to be going fine.
This is new to me, but I'm already learning how this skimmer operates. Although i've had a reef tank for some years, I've never had a half-way decent skimmer, so this is quite an upgrade since it is actually skimming for hours on end...lol. It's amazing my tank's done as well as it has w/out a good skimmer.
I'm not fussing with anything yet. Haven't touched the mesh. The gate valve is basically fully open, and the air silence has no cotton, seems to be getting plenty of air.
I do have a small plastic regulator, that i could pop in the little hole in the silencer, but i just want to see how the skimmer does over the next few weeks.
I'll be re-reading fellow posts on how everyone did in their break-in time.
BTW today i did rinse out the collection cup with hot water, and wiped out the neck, and it started foaming again soon after. The skimmer is also working quite well after feeding the tank. My tank is really going to benefit from the BM.
BM 250 sitting in about 7 1/4" water
breaking-in the BM250 day 1
day 1 first skimmate
day 2 top view of foam
day 2 foam, scum
day 3 skimmate
Breaking-in my BM 250
Hi all, thought I'd post my pic's of my BM 250. I'm currently on day 4 of the break-in process, and all seems to be going fine.
This is new to me, but I'm already learning how this skimmer operates. Although i've had a reef tank for some years, I've never had a half-way decent skimmer, so this is quite an upgrade since it is actually skimming for hours on end...lol. It's amazing my tank's done as well as it has w/out a good skimmer.
I'm not fussing with anything yet. Haven't touched the mesh. The gate valve is basically fully open, and the air silence has no cotton, seems to be getting plenty of air.
I do have a small plastic regulator, that i could pop in the little hole in the silencer, but i just want to see how the skimmer does over the next few weeks.
I'll be re-reading fellow posts on how everyone did in their break-in time.
BTW today i did rinse out the collection cup with hot water, and wiped out the neck, and it started foaming again soon after. The skimmer is also working quite well after feeding the tank. My tank is really going to benefit from the BM.
BM 250 sitting in about 7 1/4" water
breaking-in the BM250 day 1
day 1 first skimmate
day 2 top view of foam
day 2 foam, scum
day 3 skimmate
Creetin - I'm going downstairs to check it before turning in, and will give the gate valve a turn.
Ivpd - As far as the air intake, take a look at the first pic i posted (above) and it shows a good pic of it. Would say the intake's a little smaller in diameter than a dixie cup, and about the same height, with both air hoses coming in from underneath. I'm still waiting for the longer hoses to arrive - the length just fits now, with not much wiggle room so kinks don't occur.
Ivpd - As far as the air intake, take a look at the first pic i posted (above) and it shows a good pic of it. Would say the intake's a little smaller in diameter than a dixie cup, and about the same height, with both air hoses coming in from underneath. I'm still waiting for the longer hoses to arrive - the length just fits now, with not much wiggle room so kinks don't occur.
tenpercenter
Premium Member
Thanks Koraltek!
TenPercenter
TenPercenter
heuerfan
Active member
Even during the break in period? I was under the impression that after break in this would rise once the skimmer kicks in? Sorry, i'm a newbie when it comes to skimmers
I'm currently breaking in my bm200 and have the gate valve fully open and have gotten some wet skimate. The collection cup is 1/3 full after 2 days. I know if i raised the level the cup would fill quicker.Thanks for your advice.
heuerfan
Active member
summer6- message from Ed.
summer6- message from Ed.
"I just reviewed the BM info thread yesterday and "summer6" waterlevel within his skimmer is way to low, maybe needs to be raise 3" like your photo. If you can post on that thread that I reviewed his setup and highly recommend that he raise the waterlevel within his skimmer about 3" so that it is even with the bottom of his collection cup and include your photo that I emailed you earlier so he knows what I mean. Thanks, Ed"
Here is the picture Ed is refering to......
summer6- message from Ed.
"I just reviewed the BM info thread yesterday and "summer6" waterlevel within his skimmer is way to low, maybe needs to be raise 3" like your photo. If you can post on that thread that I reviewed his setup and highly recommend that he raise the waterlevel within his skimmer about 3" so that it is even with the bottom of his collection cup and include your photo that I emailed you earlier so he knows what I mean. Thanks, Ed"
Here is the picture Ed is refering to......
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9800354#post9800354 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by heuerfan
Even during the break in period? I was under the impression that after break in this would rise once the skimmer kicks in? Sorry, i'm a newbie when it comes to skimmers
Thanks for your advice.
Well with the 250's i am a little more familliar with, They will gain a little performance after they break in, His waterlevel is still too low.
I would do like ed suggests even with the cup, or even a tad higher. I have mine breaking about 2 inches above the bottom above the cup for med/dark skimmate.
klam114
In Memoriam
summer6 - Ed of KM Associates Int'l is my local dealer who I purchased my BM200 skimmer from. And I have heard him say many times over that the best place to start the break-in for the Bubblemaster skimmer is right where heuerfan included a photo of his skimmer, even with the bottom of the collection cup.
This is right when you first install your skimmer and turn the pump(s) on. Looking at your photo when you first setup your skimmer, I can see why Ed recommends that you raise your waterlevel within your skimmer about 3" until the starting waterlevel is even with the bottom of the collection cup.
The best way to achieve this is to cleanout your collection cup and then reinstall. As soon as your clean collection cup is reinstalled, check the waterlevel inside the skimmer and close down the gate valve until it is even with the bottom of the collection cup.
Ed has always told me to leave it at this level for the first 3 days while breaking in and then readjust after the 3rd day up or down depending on how your skimmer is doing. Hope this explains what Ed was trying to convey through heuerfan. I believe that Ed is the most knowledgeable dealer when it comes to the Bubblemaster skimmers, he has tested over 20 units in all models and all 3 generations. I would do as he suggests. BTW, there should not be any gunk building up in the neck area between the skimmer body and collection cup, this pretty is a good visible sign that the waterlevel inside the skimmer is too low.
This gunk usually forms in the upper half of the collection cup, but most of Ed's customers are taught to have the gunk only built up within the top 2" of the riser that is inside the collection cup and this final adjustment usually is achieved after the skimmer is fully broken, after 2-3 weeks.
This is right when you first install your skimmer and turn the pump(s) on. Looking at your photo when you first setup your skimmer, I can see why Ed recommends that you raise your waterlevel within your skimmer about 3" until the starting waterlevel is even with the bottom of the collection cup.
The best way to achieve this is to cleanout your collection cup and then reinstall. As soon as your clean collection cup is reinstalled, check the waterlevel inside the skimmer and close down the gate valve until it is even with the bottom of the collection cup.
Ed has always told me to leave it at this level for the first 3 days while breaking in and then readjust after the 3rd day up or down depending on how your skimmer is doing. Hope this explains what Ed was trying to convey through heuerfan. I believe that Ed is the most knowledgeable dealer when it comes to the Bubblemaster skimmers, he has tested over 20 units in all models and all 3 generations. I would do as he suggests. BTW, there should not be any gunk building up in the neck area between the skimmer body and collection cup, this pretty is a good visible sign that the waterlevel inside the skimmer is too low.
This gunk usually forms in the upper half of the collection cup, but most of Ed's customers are taught to have the gunk only built up within the top 2" of the riser that is inside the collection cup and this final adjustment usually is achieved after the skimmer is fully broken, after 2-3 weeks.
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9801478#post9801478 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klam114
summer6 - Ed of KM Associates Int'l is my local dealer who I purchased my BM200 skimmer from. And I have heard him say many times over that the best place to start the break-in for the Bubblemaster skimmer is right where heuerfan included a photo of his skimmer, even with the bottom of the collection cup.
This is right when you first install your skimmer and turn the pump(s) on. Looking at your photo when you first setup your skimmer, I can see why Ed recommends that you raise your waterlevel within your skimmer about 3" until the starting waterlevel is even with the bottom of the collection cup.
The best way to achieve this is to cleanout your collection cup and then reinstall. As soon as your clean collection cup is reinstalled, check the waterlevel inside the skimmer and close down the gate valve until it is even with the bottom of the collection cup.
Ed has always told me to leave it at this level for the first 3 days while breaking in and then readjust after the 3rd day up or down depending on how your skimmer is doing. Hope this explains what Ed was trying to convey through heuerfan. I believe that Ed is the most knowledgeable dealer when it comes to the Bubblemaster skimmers, he has tested over 20 units in all models and all 3 generations. I would do as he suggests. BTW, there should not be any gunk building up in the neck area between the skimmer body and collection cup, this pretty is a good visible sign that the waterlevel inside the skimmer is too low.
This gunk usually forms in the upper half of the collection cup, but most of Ed's customers are taught to have the gunk only built up within the top 2" of the riser that is inside the collection cup and this final adjustment usually is achieved after the skimmer is fully broken, after 2-3 weeks.
Let me try and understand everything since i know very little about how skimmers should really respond. Even though it was suggested to run the bm250 in about 7" of water, (reef geek) you're saying that in order to break-in properly it should have the water level higher?
heuerfan's skimmer seems to be sitting in less water than my skimmer, but it's hard for me to see that in the pic. Please clarify.
So basically the water level in my sump should go all the way up to the bottom of the collection cup (where it lifts off)?
Now, since my skimmer's on about day 5 of breaking in does it matter, or do you still suggest to raise the water level?
Thanks for your help.
Reef Sponger
In Memoriam
I'm going to try and clarify what everyone is trying to suggest to you, summer6. Everyone is in agreement that the top of your bubble breaking level inside your skimmer is too low, not the sump waterlevel that is outside of your skimmer. Your sump waterlevel is perfect! Look at the photos closely again that heuerfan and klam114 put together. The photo that you posted when you first setup your skimmer shows the top of the internal bubble breaking level even with the bottom of the neck where your skimmer body just finishes slanting upward. 3" higher from there is where Ed is suggesting that the internal bubble breaking level should be starting at, which should be even with the bottom of the collection cup. So, no need to do anything with the external sump waterlevel, but you need to adjust the internal bubble breaking level up by closing down your gate valve a little bit. Hope this clarifies the last 4 members who are trying to help you out.
Base on my experience working with other skimmers, YES, RAISE THE TOP OF YOUR BUBBLE BREAKING LEVEL WITHIN YOUR SKIMMER so that you don't get the fish crap collecting in the neck of your skimmer. That poop should be collecting near the top 2" of your riser when everything is adjusted correctly after 2-3 weeks of break in.
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Reef Sponger
In Memoriam
YES, Absolutely! :thumbsup: You get it.
brianbigoats
New member
i just got mine last week BM200 works great
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