? for BubbleMaster owners

[FoothillCorals]

I have a BM160 on order for my 90Gal SPS tank. I'm starting to worry wether this is a good move or not. Since ordering I have read a lot of mixed reviews that I did not see before. I don't like how the ATI appears to only use a portion of the reaction chamber. This will be replacing a ASM G3 which is actually performing pretty well.

Are you happy with your skimmers? Are you able to skim the way that you like, wet or dry? Would you purchase the same skimmer again or go with something else?

 

[Reef Sponger]

I've owned several models of ER and earlier this year, I replaced one of my ERs with a H&S skimmer and on another tank, I would have gone with the same H&S skimmer, but it didn't fit, so decided on a BM160 based on the dealer's recommendation.

When I received my BM160, it looked like a toy, obviously, no where near the built quality of the H&S or ER. I had a very small sump area to work with and the BM160 was the best fit in a high performance skimmer and it does perform well. So, I don't think you need to worry about performance.

I like to skim wet and that's what I get. My H&S skimmer is set to skim wet as well as that's what I get. Would I buy again? Yes, if I limited on space. No, in that if I could fit the appropriate size H&S skimmer, I would. My decision is more base on built quality than performance as the BM160 does skim well. The difference in price is over $250 if that's a factor.

 

[CruzinKim]

This might be helpful if you haven't seen this thread on our local club forum yet. We have a 1/2 dozen BM160 owners and I don't think anyone is displeased.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1192689

 

[FoothillCorals]

Thanks for the replies

Sponger: I would go H&S, but I do not have enough room.

Kim: I did see that post, I just want some more input.

 

[moo0o]

i just got mine today and its breaking in. i have a 90g barebottom going SPS, so far it looks promising, and Ed from KMA reassured me itll be good. sorry i cant tell you much other than that.

 

[CruzinKim]

Here's the other big thread on the BM160.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1082197

 

[stubbsz]

I think it is fantastic. It was great after an initial break in period... but its seems to have turned it up another notch. For me the fact that I could get it easily in my sump was a big factor in the buyind decision. I'd like a slightly more beefy build though.

 

[Reef Sponger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11275624#post11275624 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FoothillCorals
Sponger: I would go H&S, but I do not have enough room.

That's exactly my point, you got it. I would pick H&S over ATi BM any day, but with my limited space, the BM160 was a perfect pick for my 75g setup and soon to be 90g, I hope. Performance is excellent. I travel a lot for work and I don't need to worry about either of my skimmers. They are set it and forget it once pass the break-in period. I haven't adjusted my skimmer in months and I get a 1/2 skimmer cupful every week on my 75g, but my bioload isn't very high.

 

[Lumamae]

Re: ? for BubbleMaster owners

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11275227#post11275227 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FoothillCorals
I have a BM160 on order for my 90Gal SPS tank. I'm starting to worry wether this is a good move or not. Since ordering I have read a lot of mixed reviews that I did not see before. I don't like how the ATI appears to only use a portion of the reaction chamber. This will be replacing a ASM G3 which is actually performing pretty well.

Are you happy with your skimmers? Are you able to skim the way that you like, wet or dry? Would you purchase the same skimmer again or go with something else?

The reason why the BM160 uses only a portion of the reaction chamber is the location of the skimmer pump's outlet is 1/2 way up. When you see the actual skimmer working, you will agree that the design ATi used for this small footprint is ingenious. If the bubbles streched all the way down, you would have tons of microbubbles returning to the sump.

yep, yes, yes.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10885127#post10885127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lumamae
I just picked up a BM160. Even during break-in, skims much better than my modded ASM G3.

 

[moo0o]

i am at 22hrs breaking in with my BM160 and it has skimmed out 3/4ths an inch of poop already. yay =)

 

[chadfarmer]

i have a bubbleking 160

it was better than my h&s, deltec ap600, euroreef 8-1, dual euro-reef 5-2s

i have never used a bubble master skimmer so i can t be honest about them

i am upgrading to a kz skimmer in a few weeks so i will tell you which is better between them


the bubble king is in its own league with its build quality

 

[CruzinKim]

How's this for 5 days? BM160 has broken in very nicely.

 

[FoothillCorals]

Cool, thanks for the replies. It looks encouraging.

 

[moo0o]

30 hours =)))