Need Some Advice - BK180 Issue

[layer3switchguy]

Folks,

My Bubble King Mini 180 gen2 pump (Red Dragon 1000) died on me. I'm faced with buying a new pump for around $600. Would I be better off just buying a new skimmer like the Royal Exclusiv Vertex VX-170 Alpha Cone Skimmer?

I LOVE the BK Mini, but wonder if I given the pump is the same, if the Alpha is worth spending another 100 bucks on for something brand new. My BK Mini is about 5 yrs old...

Cheers,
L3

 

[solitude127]

I say get the new skimmer. You can always sell the body of your mini

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

After having a number of high end skimmers, I've found I'm fine with a reef octopus. Produces well, slightly louder is the only setback...I had the vertex and found it not to be very balanced. Three year pump warranty is great too

 

[pencil3]

Why not just swap out the motor block with a new laguana one?

 

[layer3switchguy]

Why not just swap out the motor block with a new laguana one?

Can you tell me more about that? I'm not familiar with that.

Thanks!

 

[kzickovich]

It's a pond pump. I think it's called max flo 1500

 

[pencil3]

Askoll/Laguna is the manufacturer of the motor block. Pick up a Max Flo 1500 and take the pump out of the cage/prefilter and take off the stock volute and impeller assembly and swap out your needle wheel and volute from the pump with the bad motor block. Check with the HR they use to stock them and should be somewhat local to you.

 

[layer3switchguy]

Thanks guys!

 

[SteveMH]

Keep your $600.00+ in your pocket, sell the BK body, and buy something else priced reasonable. One Red Dragon paper weight is enough in any household.

 

[kenghmoob]

I had the same problem. I felt the same way. My BK180's pump died after 3 years. One would expect the pumps to last a little longer since we pay so much for these things. I have the first generation BK180 and the the pump came up to around $280. If you should decide to keep your BK, I suggest getting another backup pump and have it around. My experience was that no one had one in their stock and i was lucky enough that a shipment was coming in with the pumps. Otherwise, it could have taken months. Who in the world can go without a skimmer for months?