Royal-Exclusiv Bubble King Double Cone 150 - PreOrder Now!

[Jeremy B.]

I agree on the nozzle marker, we will work on getting that put on there.

As far as the instructions go, I agree that they can get better, and we will work on that front as well. At the same time though, I will say that the BK skimmers come with more documentation and info in the manual than any other protein skimmer that's ever been made. There is always room for improvement though!

 

[Jeremy B.]

Ken, I'll try and get a picture of the silicone tube exiting the wedge pipe today and show you what I am referring to.

 

[ken6217]

So far I am happy with the skimmer. The performance on it without being totally broken in is good.

Thanks, Jeremy regarding the picture.
Ken

 

[Klaus Jansen]

Thanks all Customers for the Feedback. I want see, what we can do in our Usermanuals for explain better the Adjustable Nozzles.

best regards to USA. Klaus

 

[ken6217]

Is it OK to clean the neck of the collection cup at this point or wait until it is fully broken in? The skimmer has been running for 6 days and it's starting to get gunky.

Thanks,
Ken

 

[trd47]

Got it up and running. This is what the skimmer is doing after being powered on for 45 mins

 

[Jeremy B.]

Is it OK to clean the neck of the collection cup at this point or wait until it is fully broken in? The skimmer has been running for 6 days and it's starting to get gunky.

Thanks,
Ken

Go ahead and clean the neck in of the cup, it won't hurt it at all.

 

[Jeremy B.]

Got it up and running. This is what the skimmer is doing after being powered on for 45 mins

Looks terrific! That's a pretty big foam head. You'll most likely have to start closing the wedge pipe some to raise the water level inside the skimmer body as it starts to break in. Assuming the nozzle is at about 4 turns out right now?

 

[trd47]

Looks terrific! That's a pretty big foam head. You'll most likely have to start closing the wedge pipe some to raise the water level inside the skimmer body as it starts to break in. Assuming the nozzle is at about 4 turns out right now?

Yes nozzle is 4 turns out and wedge pipe wide open in about 6 something inches of water. I am a believer of bubble king now and the red dragon, stepped up from an atb.

Btw how do I remove the volute? I want to turn it the other direction. It's on super tight.

 

[Jeremy B.]

Give it a firm wiggle and it will pop right off for you. You can then rotate it to whatever angle you want it at and push it right back in.

 

[ken6217]

Ken, I'll try and get a picture of the silicone tube exiting the wedge pipe today and show you what I am referring to.

Hi Jeremy, anyway you can post this picture?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[Jeremy B.]

Sorry for the delay on these. In the first photo you can see the silicone tube exiting the pipe at almost a "straight out" angle. This will cause water to flow out from that opening at a pretty substantial rate. In the second photo you can see that silicone tube pushed to a more downward angle, which correlates to the same angle in which the whole is drilled into that pipe for the tube to enter. You may still get a very small amount of water out of the hole in that second picture, but nothing like the first picture.

 

[ken6217]

Jeremy,

OK, Thanks. I'll give it a shot.
Ken

 

[ken6217]

My impressions after running this about 10 days is that it is not better than my Mini 160. I actually find the 160 more consistent and doesn't shut down for as long as the Double Cone 150 does after feeding.

I looked at the skimmer just now and the water/foam head is below where the head screws on. I never touch the level and so I don't know why it should be there now. The last time I touched the tank (or fed) was 14 hours ago.

When listening to the air silencer, it doesn't sound like a smooth intake.
Ken

 

[Jeremy B.]

To each their own. In my opinion, I would never opt for a Mini over any of the Double Cone's or Super Marin in the same size, you just don't get the same reaction and dwell time in the Mini's. The Mini's are one of the best skimmers you can get if you have a tiny footprint you're dealing with in the sump. Just my opinion of course, to each their own.

As far as where the foam head is, it has nothing to do with the skimmer itself, it's whatever is in your water column that is knocking the foam head down, or the water level itself inside the sump. Your pump is not speeding up or slowing down, so it's been producing the same amount of water flow and air draw the entire time, only water chemistry and sump level would dictate what's going on with the reaction occurring inside the skimmer body.

 

[ken6217]

To each their own. In my opinion, I would never opt for a Mini over any of the Double Cone's or Super Marin in the same size, you just don't get the same reaction and dwell time in the Mini's. The Mini's are one of the best skimmers you can get if you have a tiny footprint you're dealing with in the sump. Just my opinion of course, to each their own.

As far as where the foam head is, it has nothing to do with the skimmer itself, it's whatever is in your water column that is knocking the foam head down, or the water level itself inside the sump. Your pump is not speeding up or slowing down, so it's been producing the same amount of water flow and air draw the entire time, only water chemistry and sump level would dictate what's going on with the reaction occurring inside the skimmer body.

Well you can't really say to each his own when you are basing something on performance. It is not a subjective thing.

When you say that foam head has nothing to do with the skimmer itself, that is not necessarily true. Some skimmers are more sensitive and finicky than others.

With regards to reaction and dwell time on either of these skimmers, that would be under the category of "Splitting Hairs". There is not much on either of these skimmers in comparison to recirculating skimmers, tall mazzei venturi skimmers (30", 36", etc), and recirculating venturi skimmers.

Even my BK160 which I like, doesn't pull out what my old Deltec TC-2060 recirculating skimmer or my H&S recirculating skimmer.

I know to each is own, but results are black and white.
Ken

 

[Jeremy B.]

I would agree on some, but disagree on other points. I would argue that you could take the same skimmer pump and put it on three different body styles, and not one would be better at maintaining a foam head than the other would be. What I was saying that the foam head is not dictated by the difference in the body of the Mini 160 versus the Double Cone 150, given that the pumps are VERY similar to one another in specs (DC 150 pushes a little more water).

Anyone else reading this, Ken and I are actually good friends, we're not arguing with one another.

 

[ken6217]

I would agree on some, but disagree on other points. I would argue that you could take the same skimmer pump and put it on three different body styles, and not one would be better at maintaining a foam head than the other would be. What I was saying that the foam head is not dictated by the difference in the body of the Mini 160 versus the Double Cone 150, given that the pumps are VERY similar to one another in specs (DC 150 pushes a little more water).

Anyone else reading this, Ken and I are actually good friends, we're not arguing with one another.

I actually debated deleting my original post because I didn't want it to be misconstrued. I left it though as I feel that I have had many skimmers and certainly in the position to be able to comment on them and hopefully it wouldn't be taken as being argumentative or obnoxious. (Well I can take credit for obnoxious, I lived in NYC my whole life).

Anyway, I wouldn't say that the 150 or 160 is light years better than one another.

I will say though that based on my experience, it appears to me that external recirculating skimmers are better than non recirculating in sump skimmers.

With regards to Jeremy / Premium Aquatics, they do an excellent job as vendors. I have bought from many vendors and there is no one better. Everybody carries products, but not everyone can excel at customer service. Jeremy also spends a lot of time "off hours" answering questions which go beyond the call of duty.
Ken

 

[TheReefKeeper]

Hey Jeremy how about an answer to the PM I sent ya a few days ago I really want to get the new Speedy pump online you sent.

 

[Jeremy B.]

I'm off today and have not had internet access until now, sorry. I just responded to your PM, but it doesn't look like it was sent until early yesterday afternoon though? Emaill me directly to jeremy@premiumaquatics.com.