Right Size BK Skimmer

[jzdad]

I was considering pulling the plug on a BK skimmer but at a small dilemma,I've been following these skimmers and threads and everybodys set up are different and I sometimes too much info is confusing but I have a 90g just finished cycling and going to stock medium for now cause Im moving in 2 years and would like to upgrade to a 180 to be fully stocked with corals and fish

is there a skimmer that can accommodate this being that I want a low load until I move so I dont have a problem moving a fully stock tank, or should I wait till I get the 180 to keep it from buying a small one and then get a different one later being I only want to purchase once,

Thanks in advance

 

[slief]

A mini 160 would work good for the 90 but not for the 180 unless you keep a low load in the 180. Anything rated for a 180 would be too large for a 90 unless you had a stupidly heavy fish load which wouldn’t make sense in a 90 gallon display. The good thing is that when it comes time to upgrade, you will find that Bubble King skimmers have really good resale value so you could use that to off set the costs of the skimmer upgrade.

 

[jzdad]

A mini 160 would work good for the 90 but not for the 180 unless you keep a low load in the 180. Anything rated for a 180 would be too large for a 90 unless you had a stupidly heavy fish load which wouldn't make sense in a 90 gallon display. The good thing is that when it comes time to upgrade, you will find that Bubble King skimmers have really good resale value so you could use that to off set the costs of the skimmer upgrade.

Wow you really are a Guru, That was what I was afraid of not be able to get one cause of up grading to double the volume with the same skimmer would not work. so I should get the mini 160 , Thanks for your help, now being that I missed the black friday sale will they have a christmas sale , Thanks again

 

[slief]

Wow you really are a Guru, That was what I was afraid of not be able to get one cause of up grading to double the volume with the same skimmer would not work. so I should get the mini 160 , Thanks for your help, now being that I missed the black friday sale will they have a christmas sale , Thanks again

I would. The Mini 160 is a GREAT little skimmer!

 

[jzdad]

I would. The Mini 160 is a GREAT little skimmer!

Is it the new one with the 6V Controller? also quick question how would it compare with the 150 Cone? Thanks

 

[slief]

Is it the new one with the 6V Controller? also quick question how would it compare with the 150 Cone? Thanks

The Mini will be easier to tune. The Double Cone 150's are tuned via the nozzle and are more sensitive to changes in the display as well as adjustments. The upside to the Double Cone is the pump being outside the body but the Mini's are GREAT skimmers and you can't go wrong with either the DC version or the AC version. I ran a Mini 160 AC version on a 100 gallon display and loved it! The AC version is set it and forget it where as the DC one can be fine tuned via the pump speed.

 

[jzdad]

The Mini will be easier to tune. The Double Cone 150's are tuned via the nozzle and are more sensitive to changes in the display as well as adjustments. The upside to the Double Cone is the pump being outside the body but the Mini's are GREAT skimmers and you can't go wrong with either the DC version or the AC version. I ran a Mini 160 AC version on a 100 gallon display and loved it! The AC version is set it and forget it where as the DC one can be fine tuned via the pump speed.

Saw your video on the 150. Don't see to many videos or threads on the 150 , I think I'm going to get the 150 for the pump being on the outside .will I be able to stock my 90g Heavy with no problems. on that skimmer 1/2 inch per gallon so I'm good with 45in of fish, Right? thanks again

 

[slief]

Saw your video on the 150. Don't see to many videos or threads on the 150 , I think I'm going to get the 150 for the pump being on the outside .will I be able to stock my 90g Heavy with no problems. on that skimmer 1/2 inch per gallon so I'm good with 45in of fish, Right? thanks again

Probably but you will be pushing it with that skimmer as that is a very heavy load for the 150. You'd likely have to run it in about 6.5" of water and would be emptying the cup pretty frequently. The Mini 160 would still be my first choice but I totally understand why you'd want the 150 with the pump being outside the body.

 

[jzdad]

Ok so lighten up on the load on the 90 or get the mini 160 got it

 

[slief]

Ok so lighten up on the load on the 90 or get the mini 160 got it

:beer:

 

[jzdad]

Ok and with the mini 160 I have the ability to also lower the load and maybe go as big as 120g

 

[slief]

Ok and with the mini 160 I have the ability to also lower the load and maybe go as big as 120g

Yep. You can go with a lower load or even a bit higher. It really is a great skimmer. I had one myself on a tank your size and really loved it!