MSX skimmer club

[johnlewis]

How easy is it to mod a 250 to an Askoll I know they are about 299ea. Can you get a 350 body only, I have not seen a 350a.

 

[SHOmuchFUN]

I am considering the MSX-250a for my 180gal mixed reef.
The footprint on Marine Solutions states: 17 x 13 inches.

13" wide is pretty significant. I was hoping to wedge this thing in a 55gal tank that is only 12" wide. Some of you are postering 10" wide footprint on the 250a. Is Marine Solutions wrong?

 

[knockout]

I am considering the MSX-250a for my 180gal mixed reef.
The footprint on Marine Solutions states: 17 x 13 inches.

13" wide is pretty significant. I was hoping to wedge this thing in a 55gal tank that is only 12" wide. Some of you are postering 10" wide footprint on the 250a. Is Marine Solutions wrong?

the body is 10" wide, I dont think you can fit that in a 55g, I have the msx250 on a 75g and it is tight in there, the 250a only has the one pump so it probably needs a bit less room

 

[Poorcollegereef]

I run a Bubbleblaster HY3000 on my MSX200. It is a great pump (silent and nearly maxing out the body) and I have had none of the Sicce woes... Actually, I modded a old Octo150 with the unreliable sicceand it has become a champ with little issues. Is the 200 body to large with too much back pressure for the sicce?... I dont know but the BB HY3000 is a great pump!

For what it is worth, here are some photos I took back when I made the switch about 3 months ago

A 'pin'wheel comparison. From left to right The BB pinwheel, the MSX pinwheel, the meshwheel, and a "red" large purple pinwheel from marine solutions... size matters!

Finally it running, the bubble level is at the top of the MSX stocker with the outflow wide open... skimming within 10 minutes

 

[jpatrician]

MSX200 with BB3000

MSX200 with BB3000

Here is my MSX200 with a BB3000, and extended collection cup.

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[jpatrician]

MSX200 with BB3000

MSX200 with BB3000

Here are a couple pics as well.

 

[Poorcollegereef]

yeah, I keep telling myself that I need to get an extended neck... it helps.

 

[jpatrician]

yeah, I keep telling myself that I need to get an extended neck... it helps.

Definitely does!

 

[reefEng10]

I made a short crappy video with my phone in the hopes that someone can help me out. I've tried my swc extreme 200 in 10" of water, and now in about 7.75 - 8" as you can see by the page of paper on its side for reference.

Take a look at how few bubbles are coming through the bubble plate. It seems one side very little, the opposite side many more, but still I have seen these skimmers absolutely pouring bubbles from the holes in the plate. I still have to close the wedge pipe nearly all the way ( can be seen in the video).

I just cleaned the pipe, and set the level very high ( had it set lower but mainly just gunked up the neck a bit and don't end up with much in the cup after a day or so). This is on a 90g w/ 30g sump.

Pretty decent bioload, feed 2 cubes of frozen mysis, bunch of pellets, cyclopeeze.. almost daily. I've taken the skimmer offline for a couple days, and when back on.. not really much increase in production so I don't think it's the bioload.

I don't want to get an air meter just yet but I am almost certain this is the problem. It feels like I am getting a bit more since shortening the air tube (notice how it's hanging over the back of the sump.

I have read through pretty much the entire thread so don't jump on me too hard if it's something obvious... really trying to get this thing working the way it should be.

The pump is horizontal, stock swc pinwheel. I do notice that the orange nub on the end of the shaft is stuck inside the pump, but in its proper location so I think this is ok? No idea what is wrong here!

I may end up going with the red demon pinwheel but if there is a larger problem that can be easily fixed I'd like to do that first.

Please have a look:

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[johnlewis]

How did you get the siice thread on the BB pump? Do you know about the bb5000? I would like to put it on my 250.

 

[tangtang clown]

ReegEng, have you taken the pump apart? Checked the airline? Outlet plumbing? Make sure the shaft is ok and that the rubber boot is in the bottom of the pump.

 

[reefEng10]

ReegEng, have you taken the pump apart? Checked the airline? Outlet plumbing? Make sure the shaft is ok and that the rubber boot is in the bottom of the pump.

Plumbing seems fine no obstructions. When I open the pump all looks well. Other than the orange rubber piece that would normally be on the shaft is stuck in the bottom of the pump but I think that's where it ends up anyways when shaft is inserted. Shaft looks good no damage.

Airline is clear and it is pulling air just not much. The neck of the skimmer already getting gunked but with nothing in the cup just not quite enough air.

Can I rule out water depth as an issue ? I'll take it all apart tonight and see if I can get some improvement. Maybe my pump is just a dud ?

 

[reefEng10]

One thing I did notice: depending on how I close the pump ( if I twist it all the way closed or only partially ) - sometimes it just won't start and I need to adjuse it slightly and try again

 

[jpatrician]

How did you get the siice thread on the BB pump? Do you know about the bb5000? I would like to put it on my 250.

Same exact thread, no modding necessary!

 

[johnlewis]

Same exact thread, no modding necessary!

So when you take off the union it has the same thread?

 

[jpatrician]

So when you take off the union it has the same thread?

correct!

 

[johnlewis]

Nice thanks, well I know what I going to doing soon. Upgrade !!

 

[ant1k]

what does the extended neck do for the msx 200? I recently hooked up a BB3000 to my msx200 and its been running pretty solid.

 

[RokleM]

If the BubbleBlasters are a direct fit, is there one that is comparable or slightly better than a Sicce without maxing out a 160 body? That would be an interesting setup.

 

[blazing]

what is everyone replacing their pump with? i ahve an msx 200 and the pump sucks big time. i never gotten good skimmate out of it and now the pump is broken.