Does the Mini BK180 come with a skimmer drain?
- Thread starter Maximus
- Start date
Maximus
Active member
Wow, just opened the box and this thing looks like a work of art! Cleaning the cup will be really easy as you just lift it off the base. Scott, is the skimmer supposed to come with an ozone port cover? There's a hole next to the Venturi and I assume that's for ozone? It's uncovered and I cannot find the little nipple that's supposed to plug it. Thanks!
slief
RC Sponsor
No cover and none needed. If you don't have the ozone tube connected (which you won't), it will draw water in through there as well as through the nozzle instead of just through the nozzle which doesn't change the pumps perfomrance at all. The pump can only draw so much water anyways because the flow is dependant on the RPM of the pump. As such, the pump doesn't care if it comes through the ozone port or the nozzle. Heck, it might even help in reducing salt creep in the venturi port having a bit of water come in through the ozone port.
slief
RC Sponsor
Obligatory tease shot:
My dream finally came true!!
Beauty and a beast! :thumbsup:
I've been really happy with the Mini I have on my new tank! It performs every bit as well as the Supermarin on my big tank and infinitely better than the SCA and the AquaMaxx Co1 that it replaced. These are great little skimmers. You will really appreciate it once you get your tank up and stocked.
Maximus
Active member
Scott, what is the recommended water level for the skimmer? I am running it in a Synergy sump with an adjustable baffle so I can go anywhere from 6" to close to 10" on the water level. I plan on breaking it in now and will add skimmate from my nano tank.
I also noticed that when I go above the recommended water level, the cup leaks a bit. Is that normal?
I also noticed that when I go above the recommended water level, the cup leaks a bit. Is that normal?
slief
RC Sponsor
I couldn't wait so I put it in my sump, added a small cup of skimmate from my nano, and voila! Haha, where or what is this mythical process called break in?
LOL.. That's some nice looking foam!
Maximus
Active member
I also wanted a set and forget skimmer so I went with the mini 180. I understand that the rd3 speedy is an awesome pump but I just wanted a skimmer that was simple to set up and not have too many options as I'd be driving myself crazy changing water level height and wattage on the pump. I also adore the Askoll based pump.
slief
RC Sponsor
If your wedge pipe is wide open, you may need to raise the skimmer if you have the standard Askoll based pump. A half in should make a major difference. Also, is your 200 one with the RD3? If so, what speed are you running the pump at?
slief
RC Sponsor
35 is a bit high. I would dial it back to 30 watts and try raising the level in the skimmer. The lower wattage will create more contact time and thicker slower moving foam. That said, if your load is really low for the skimmer and the skimmer is oversized for the display, you won't get as good of foam as you could be getting. Also remember that he added some skimmate to his sump so there is an abundance of dissolved organics in the water which is needed for good dense foam.
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slief
RC Sponsor
LOL! I meant 30 watts. Not sure how I typed 200. I went back up and edited my post to correct that so somebody else doesn't get confused. I also meant raising the water level inside the skimmer. Not raising the skimmer. When you slow the pump down, your water level will drop inside the skimmer. You will likely need to counter that by raising the line where bubbles turn to foam back up to the level line on the skimmer body. You can raise the level by rotating/closing the wedge pipe a bit.
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