MSX 250 skimmer to BB5000 help (pics incl)

[platax88]

I have an older msx/wsc 250 skimmer which came with the two sicce pumps. I wanted to upgrade the pump to a Bubble Blaster 5000 but i am having trouble connecting it.

I purchased the adapter from coralvue for the 250 extreme to the bb5000 but it is still too big for the union. I have read of many people upgrading to this pump with the swc250 so I wonder if at some point the 250s started shipping with a bigger pump input. I believe i got my skimmer late 2008.

I was able to connect it with a 3/4" reducer but i fear this will effect performance since the pump has a 1" output.

Here are some pics.

Skimmer body with stock adapters which thread into Sicce 2500 pumps. One plugged with 3/4" cap

Here you can see the adaptor that CoralVue sent is too big

This is the stock adapter that threads into the Sicce... the small end is 3/4"

and here is the adapter from CV attached to the BB5000

I fear that i may have to drill the skimmer and use 1" pipe. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!
Jack

 

[Amoore311]

I had one of these. Pretty sure you need to drill it out. It's been awhile though and the skimmer has long since been sold.

 

[nikon187]

no dont drill it... the one from the sicce you use.. it will be fine

 

[nikon187]

mines been runninng 3 yrs+ without skipping a beat. dont worry about the reducer at all

 

[platax88]

I contacted CV and sent them the pics. The said they sent me the wrong adapter because of how old the skimmer is.

nikon187, are you sure your skimmer is not newer once they started drilling them bigger.

I dont think drilling it and adding some uniseals would be such a hard task. Would the 10" body even handle it?

I'm wondering how much performance i am loosing out on by reducing it.

 

[nikon187]

the original sicce 2500 does approx 320gph with skimmer impeller and 30-35 scfh x2 ( so 640gph and 60-70 scfh )where the bb 5000 does 480 gph and 72scfh..only 160gph difference but a little more air.

 

[nikon187]

have had my skimmer for 5yrs, certainly not new..bb5000 for over 3yrs now..they never drilled them bigger, they switched the pumps to the sicce 1000 which has the same size adapter after all the sicce 2500 probalems. we are the reef octopus distrubuters here in edmonton

 

[nikon187]

Even if you drill it and use the 1 inch it is still going to be less water flow than the original pumps by 160gph. nothing you can do about that

 

[platax88]

thanks for all your help nikon... so the bb 5000 do 480 gph and 72scfh while restricted?

 

[platax88]

This is how i have it temporarily rigged up until the adapter comes in.

 

[nikon187]

would never fit in my skimmer chamber like that Ill take some pics if you would like..

2 yrs back i pulled off the plug on the second imput and put a bb 3000 on with the 5000, too much for the 10 inch body.

 

[nikon187]

the reducer wont restrict it that much. the water flow a little but not the air

 

[platax88]

Awesome! lookin forward to getting the adapter for a nicer fit ion my sump. Did you plug the second hole in a different way than I?

 

[nikon187]

they sent me a flat round blank ( looks like a casino chip but smaller ) and i put that in between the two threaded pieces so i didnt need the white cap that you have

 

[nikon187]

here you go.. need to clean my sump











The clown tang puts me pretty heavy stocked lol

 

[platax88]

Nice! That makes me feel better! I'll give it a shot as is. Thanks for all it help