Myka's 69 SPS Tank 2015
- Thread starter Myka
- Start date
Myka
Reefing since '93
Oh, I forgot to mention, I bought an ATI SunPower dimmable 6x39W T5 fixture too. No pics because I don't have it yet. I plan to add a couple of ReefBrite blue LED strips to either side of it and will experiment with the ATI line of T5 bulbs. I don't like how pink the Coral+ bulbs are, but maybe with the strength of the ReefBrites it will look good. It will be a tight fit. The ATI is almost 14" wide, and the ReefBrites are almost 2" wide each. I asked for the eurobracing to be made on the narrow side to help with this - I think the rotation ability of the ReefBrite strips will also help.
You can't beat that ATB 840 for maintenance - I can't believe how many pieces it comes apart into! There's a little part of me that wants the ATB to outperform the BK.
You can't beat that ATB 840 for maintenance - I can't believe how many pieces it comes apart into! There's a little part of me that wants the ATB to outperform the BK.
reefmutt
Active member
I think you need a side by side shot.. (No pressure)
They look very similar.
I'm curious about dimensions.. It seems that the main difference is the pump..
That dc pump will be more efficient than the Eheim.. If I recall, the 1260 is 600gph.. I assume the BK pump has a higher flow rate.. It's bound to pull more air..
They look very similar.
I'm curious about dimensions.. It seems that the main difference is the pump..
That dc pump will be more efficient than the Eheim.. If I recall, the 1260 is 600gph.. I assume the BK pump has a higher flow rate.. It's bound to pull more air..
Myka
Reefing since '93
Here ya go Matt (and anyone else interested)...
ATB 840 Small (out of production)
Footprint with pump: 14 x 8"
Height: 21"
Body base diameter: 8″
Neck diameter: 3.75"
Pump: Eheim 1260
Water flow: 645 gph (without air), 264 gph (with air)
Max air draw: Up to 900 L/hr
Power consumption: 65 watts
Manufacturer tank rating: Up to 249 gallons
Bubble King Double Cone +RD3 Speedy
Footprint with pump: 14 x 11.5"
Height: 21"
Body base diameter: 8"
Neck diameter: 3.9"
Pump: Red Dragon 3 Speedy DC
Water flow: 1320 gph (without air), 793 gph (with air)
Max air draw: Up to 1500 L/hr
Power consumption: 50 watts
Manufacturer tank rating: Up to 132 gallons
On paper, the Bubble King definitely leads the race. Especially with that whopping 1500 liters per hour air draw using only 50 watts of power. I like the small neck diameters on both skimmers - this was a significant factor for me since it's tricky to find a good skimmer for small water volume. Something to consider is that the water volume flowing through the BK will be more than the water volume flowing through my sump.
The skimmer bodies are VERY similar - the BK has a wine bottle shape and the ATB has a true cone shape. The bubble plate design is very similar - the wine bottle shape of the BK allows a slighter larger distance from the body wall to the top of the bubble plate component, where the ATB is slightly narrower at this point. They are the same height. The same base diameter. The BK shortens the body height in favor of a taller collection cup, thus the ATB has a taller body height. The standpipe on the BK is 1/4" larger than the standpipe on the ATB - likely to allow the significantly larger water volume to pass through. On the BK the outlet is positioned lower, where the ATB is slightly up the body wall - maybe there will be less microbubbles leaving the BK. The most significant difference is the pump - a $200 pump and a $700 pump.
ATB 840 Small (out of production)
Footprint with pump: 14 x 8"
Height: 21"
Body base diameter: 8″
Neck diameter: 3.75"
Pump: Eheim 1260
Water flow: 645 gph (without air), 264 gph (with air)
Max air draw: Up to 900 L/hr
Power consumption: 65 watts
Manufacturer tank rating: Up to 249 gallons
Bubble King Double Cone +RD3 Speedy
Footprint with pump: 14 x 11.5"
Height: 21"
Body base diameter: 8"
Neck diameter: 3.9"
Pump: Red Dragon 3 Speedy DC
Water flow: 1320 gph (without air), 793 gph (with air)
Max air draw: Up to 1500 L/hr
Power consumption: 50 watts
Manufacturer tank rating: Up to 132 gallons
On paper, the Bubble King definitely leads the race. Especially with that whopping 1500 liters per hour air draw using only 50 watts of power. I like the small neck diameters on both skimmers - this was a significant factor for me since it's tricky to find a good skimmer for small water volume. Something to consider is that the water volume flowing through the BK will be more than the water volume flowing through my sump.
The skimmer bodies are VERY similar - the BK has a wine bottle shape and the ATB has a true cone shape. The bubble plate design is very similar - the wine bottle shape of the BK allows a slighter larger distance from the body wall to the top of the bubble plate component, where the ATB is slightly narrower at this point. They are the same height. The same base diameter. The BK shortens the body height in favor of a taller collection cup, thus the ATB has a taller body height. The standpipe on the BK is 1/4" larger than the standpipe on the ATB - likely to allow the significantly larger water volume to pass through. On the BK the outlet is positioned lower, where the ATB is slightly up the body wall - maybe there will be less microbubbles leaving the BK. The most significant difference is the pump - a $200 pump and a $700 pump.
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reefmutt
Active member
Cool. Thanks for that.
Interesting that atb rates their skimmer for 250g tank volume while BK rates theirs at 130 and the BK draws almost twice the air..
I know dwell time plays a significant role in skimmer efficiency and the atb is taller.. But I think that atb was pushing it a bit with that rating..
Nice clean up job on the atb, by the way..
Personally I don't see how the atb could outperform the BK, based on the pumps used..
Interesting that atb rates their skimmer for 250g tank volume while BK rates theirs at 130 and the BK draws almost twice the air..
I know dwell time plays a significant role in skimmer efficiency and the atb is taller.. But I think that atb was pushing it a bit with that rating..
Nice clean up job on the atb, by the way..
Personally I don't see how the atb could outperform the BK, based on the pumps used..
Myka
Reefing since '93
I am interested to try the RD3 Speedy pump on the ATB. They use the same style connection from pump to skimmer (a short section of silicone tubing) so swapping out will be a breeze. Since the RD3 is controllable I can slow it down if the standpipe on the ATB doesn't allow full flow. I'm interested to see if the bodies are essentially equal in performance (the BK definitely leads in build quality). Can you tell I like tinkering??
Almost, the ATB is about 1/2" taller, but that's probably negligible.
Myka
Reefing since '93
I will be fabricating a steel stand for the tank. I've decided to do this first to see how much space I have to slide the sump in - I may need to adjust the measurements of the sump. I was going to do it today, but found the steel supply stores closed yesterday.
As per discussion here, I will be building it out of 1" square tube with 0.15" wall thickness (provided this is a common size that I can find). I'll put some small 45 degree braces in most of the corners to help with any wobble.
The finishing of the stand will be 3/4" plywood panels that I will finish with an enamel acrylic white paint on the inside, and the outside will be finished with an oil-based high gloss spray in a dark gray to match our lower kitchen cabinets.
The plywood panels will be attached using magnets so they are easily removable for maintenance. Seeing as the sump area will be very limited for space, the removable panels will help with access - especially in the electrical area. There will be a divider to make a "dry side" to protect the electrical from the "wet side" of the sump.
As per discussion here, I will be building it out of 1" square tube with 0.15" wall thickness (provided this is a common size that I can find). I'll put some small 45 degree braces in most of the corners to help with any wobble.
The finishing of the stand will be 3/4" plywood panels that I will finish with an enamel acrylic white paint on the inside, and the outside will be finished with an oil-based high gloss spray in a dark gray to match our lower kitchen cabinets.
The plywood panels will be attached using magnets so they are easily removable for maintenance. Seeing as the sump area will be very limited for space, the removable panels will help with access - especially in the electrical area. There will be a divider to make a "dry side" to protect the electrical from the "wet side" of the sump.
Myka
Reefing since '93
No, it's too bulky, but thanks for stopping in with your idea.
I need to have as much space inside the stand as possible. I also want the sump to fit between the end legs of the stand to give me that little bit more room for equipment.
Myka
Reefing since '93
Well, I got the glass all ordered up today - hopefully I didn't mis-measure anything! It will be ready Friday.
I'm going to get the steel tomorrow to fabricate the stand. I'm going with 1" square tubing 0.125 thickness (1/8"). I didn't want wider tubing, so I will add some bracing. Hopefully it holds! I am not a good welder, but I am good with the grinder! Haha!!
It's a long weekend in Canada so I'm really hoping, in best case scenario, that I can get both of these projects wrapped up by the end of Monday.
I'm going to get the steel tomorrow to fabricate the stand. I'm going with 1" square tubing 0.125 thickness (1/8"). I didn't want wider tubing, so I will add some bracing. Hopefully it holds! I am not a good welder, but I am good with the grinder! Haha!!
It's a long weekend in Canada so I'm really hoping, in best case scenario, that I can get both of these projects wrapped up by the end of Monday.
Scotty freddy
New member
Sexy skimmer Myka trust me it will be worth the money!
trust me it will be worth the money!
Myka
Reefing since '93
I'm going to give it a go welding later today (hopefully I manage to fall asleep again soon here lol). I'll be winging it with no real instruction. All I know is hubby said to turn the welder to "high" for the thickness, leave a 1/16" gap for the welds, tack it all first, square it up, then weld.
I know how to use an oxyacetylene cutting torch and I was shown how to use a MIG welder once about 6 years ago. I imagine there will be lots of pidgeon splatter to grind off. [emoji38]
Wish me luck! Hopefully I don't weld my skin too much. I'll post pics if that happens.
I never trust anyone who says, "Trust me." Ha! I think you're right though.
I know how to use an oxyacetylene cutting torch and I was shown how to use a MIG welder once about 6 years ago. I imagine there will be lots of pidgeon splatter to grind off. [emoji38]
Wish me luck! Hopefully I don't weld my skin too much. I'll post pics if that happens.
Sexy skimmer Myka
I never trust anyone who says, "Trust me." Ha! I think you're right though.
Myka
Reefing since '93
Thanks! I will try to accomplish this.
I got a call today that my glass is ready for the sump, so I'll pick that up today too.
Dave from Concept Aquariums (tank builder) called me today too to clear up all the details of my tank as they are starting to build it today. I guess it will have a 3" eurobrace as that's the narrowest they can put through the polisher. I was hoping for 2", but I'll get over it.
They are going to machine the black glass weir, and will be able to machine the narrow strip of glass that creates the 1/2" gap for the weir too. I'm not sure how to really describe that piece.
Myka
Reefing since '93
I didn't make as much progress today as I had hoped. I spent half the day running around doing other stuff that I mostly didn't want to do! I did manage to go pick up the steel and the glass though and got a start on the sump. I have some sketchy looking silicone seams though, so I think I'll have some repairs to do tomorrow. I never claimed to be a tank builder. 
The piece of Lexan I used as a table was warped so I had to put some planters in there to hold it down.
I got the baffles in and realized I have to drill the hole in the side wall of the baffle section for the uniseal. I don't have as much space there as I thought I would, though I kind of expected that because my 3D drawing was done without glass thickness.
I'll get it finished up tomorrow and water test it on Sunday. I should get a good start on the stand tomorrow too.
The piece of Lexan I used as a table was warped so I had to put some planters in there to hold it down.
I got the baffles in and realized I have to drill the hole in the side wall of the baffle section for the uniseal. I don't have as much space there as I thought I would, though I kind of expected that because my 3D drawing was done without glass thickness.
I'll get it finished up tomorrow and water test it on Sunday. I should get a good start on the stand tomorrow too.
Myka
Reefing since '93
Well this morning I saw I had a couple really bad seams on one pane of the sump, so I cut, and pried, and cursed, and chipped a little and finally got the freaking thing off. I resiliconed it, and left it dry for today.
In the meantime, I got to work on the stand. Luckily for me, hubby has Fridays off work and he volunteered to weld it for me. I cut all the steel, and prepped it all.
Then hubby got to work. He did a great job, all lines up nicely. Hopefully he'll get it finished tomorrow and I can paint it up.
In the meantime, I got to work on the stand. Luckily for me, hubby has Fridays off work and he volunteered to weld it for me. I cut all the steel, and prepped it all.
Then hubby got to work. He did a great job, all lines up nicely. Hopefully he'll get it finished tomorrow and I can paint it up.
Hockeynut120
New member
Looks good so far
Myka
Reefing since '93
The stand is coming along. Hubby isn't the quickest, but he's doing a great job! He just has to install the bracing and then I can paint it - maybe tomorrow?
Sump has been completed. I just need to clean up my messy silicone job. Nothing a blade and some rubbing alcohol can't fix.
Thanks!
Sump has been completed. I just need to clean up my messy silicone job. Nothing a blade and some rubbing alcohol can't fix.
Thanks!
