Skimmer Down! Looking for suggestions.

R

RoachF4

New member
Well the pump on my BK mini 200 just quit on me last night, so I'm in the market for a new skimmer, but I'm a little overwhelmed with all the choices and options. So I was hoping to get some suggestions for a replacement.
My current setup is about 200 gallons total, medium stock, and mixed reef. Filtration consists of carbon, socks, and the now dead skimmer. Space is a little bit of an issue as I have to go in-sump. One compartment is 12" x 10" and the other is 15" x 10". I really liked the BK...it was quiet and easy to maintain, but the pumps are just too expensive to replace.
Some stipulations: I don't really want to go over $800, the pump has to be easy to come by, and I'd like to try to buy American made if possible.
So far I've looked at the Octopus POV professional open volute (just looks interesting), SkimZ looks promising (but size seems to be an issue), and Bubble Magus looks OK (but I heard they have problems with their pumps).
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

-Matt
 
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Man that is some big shoes to fill. The BK mini 200 is one of the best built skimmers in the industry. Everything else is going to feel like junk. How much is the pump?
I will say the open volutes from RO are interesting and DC driven. The verdict is still out on the overall reliability on those pumps yet. I've heard good and bad.


The Orphek Helix looks to be close to the chamber size you need. I am not sure if it's out yet.
 
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I have a mixed reef 180 with a fairly heavy bio load, and have been using the Bubble Magus Hero 180 since January, and am very pleased with it. Its running a Sicce PSK 1000 pump, instead of the Atman that has been problematic. The SeaSide Aquatics CS 180 is the same skimmer. They are running around $300.
 
If you want American made and want to support a great guy there's Avast Marine. It's running a Sicce PSK pump but I don't believe there are any American made pumps specifically made for skimming.

Lifereef is also American made and uses MagDrive pumps although I think they take up much more space.
 
kc350twin said:
Man that is some big shoes to fill. The BK mini 200 is one of the best built skimmers in the industry. Everything else is going to feel like junk. How much is the pump?
I will say the open volutes from RO are interesting and DC driven. The verdict is still out on the overall reliability on those pumps yet. I've heard good and bad.


The Orphek Helix looks to be close to the chamber size you need. I am not sure if it's out yet.
Click to expand...

Vertex Alpha 200 is very similar to the BK Mini at a lower price...
 
Thank you everyone for the suggestions...lots of good advice.
I like the idea behind the Octopus open volutes with the DC pumps, but I read a thread on here where they had some trouble. It seemed like most of the problems came about with the dc1 and I would be looking at the dc2. Can anyone confirm that?
The pump that ksed recommended seems like a viable option and pretty inexpensive (I know my wife would like it).
I've heard some really good things about the Bubble Magus Hero as well. So hard to decide. I'm leaning towards getting a replacement pump/block for the BK and possibly a decent back-up skimmer just in case I have problems again. TBH, I feel like the BK has been under-performing for the past few months (that could be due to the pump going out) and I would like to try something different. Just can't decide on what.

Matt
 
Get the replacement block. You already have a great skimmer and the replacement block will cost you less than $150 if you get the Laguna brand one. The only thing you will need to do is swap the volute and either get a new base which you can get from So. Cal Tropical Reef outlet or cut the base off your existing red dragon and epoxy on to the new block. I just don't see you being happy with a potentially lower quality skimmer compared to what you have.
 
slief said:
Get the replacement block. You already have a great skimmer and the replacement block will cost you less than $150 if you get the Laguna brand one. The only thing you will need to do is swap the volute and either get a new base which you can get from So. Cal Tropical Reef outlet or cut the base off your existing red dragon and epoxy on to the new block. I just don't see you being happy with a potentially lower quality skimmer compared to what you have.
Click to expand...

+1, you can get a better price than $170 for a Laguna 1350

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Laguna-MaxF...echnology-Replacing-Maxflo-1500-/400458474999
 
slief said:
Get the replacement block. You already have a great skimmer and the replacement block will cost you less than $150 if you get the Laguna brand one. The only thing you will need to do is swap the volute and either get a new base which you can get from So. Cal Tropical Reef outlet or cut the base off your existing red dragon and epoxy on to the new block. I just don't see you being happy with a potentially lower quality skimmer compared to what you have.
Click to expand...

+2.

You won't find a better designed skimmer for the cost of replacing the block. Probably not in that footprint, anywhere.

Bluntly; they haven't been any major advances in making tiny bubbles since your BK was built. Ditto for electrical consumption that would make economic sense to dump it. Rebuild it, and enjoy it for the next decade.
 
OK, thanks again for all the advice. I'm going to go with the EBAY Laguna pump, but can someone clarify "bearings" for me? Ksed mentioned that I need to change over the bearings and I all I can picture are ball bearings...I haven't noticed any of those when breaking the pump down.
It's a Mini-Bubble-King 1500, made special for the Bubble King 200, and there's Proline Aquatics printed on the label. Upon breaking it down: there's the volute, impeller assemble, a plastic end cap with a rubber washer on the end of the shaft, and bigger washer for the impeller assembly. I'm guessing the plastic cap is the "bearing", just looking for confirmation.
Thanks again.

Roach
 
RoachF4 said:
OK, thanks again for all the advice. I'm going to go with the EBAY Laguna pump, but can someone clarify "bearings" for me? Ksed mentioned that I need to change over the bearings and I all I can picture are ball bearings...I haven't noticed any of those when breaking the pump down.
It's a Mini-Bubble-King 1500, made special for the Bubble King 200, and there's Proline Aquatics printed on the label. Upon breaking it down: there's the volute, impeller assemble, a plastic end cap with a rubber washer on the end of the shaft, and bigger washer for the impeller assembly. I'm guessing the plastic cap is the "bearing", just looking for confirmation.
Thanks again.

Roach
Click to expand...

I think they meant bushing which would be at the motor block end of the impeller. Just swap the entire impeller and it's housing over the new pump being careful not to miss any parts. It's a no brainer! Make sure you soak your impeller and volute in vinegar to clean them up before assembly. The hardest thing will be to deal with the will be removing the base plate on the red dragon for use with the new motor. You should be able to do that easily with a Dremel tool and a good cutting blade. Alternatively, you can order one of these to go with your new pump.
http://socaltropicalfishoutlet.com/store/laguna-custom-stand-for-model-1500-p-1068.html
 
slief - You know I accidentally dropped the pump while cleaning it the other day and the base plate almost completely popped off. So that was easy! What would you suggest for adhering the new pump to the old base plate? Thanks for the link as well.

Roach
 
RoachF4 said:
slief - You know I accidentally dropped the pump while cleaning it the other day and the base plate almost completely popped off. So that was easy! What would you suggest for adhering the new pump to the old base plate? Thanks for the link as well.

Roach
Click to expand...

I'd use a standard two part plastic safe epoxy. That or Gorilla Glue. The key is letting either dry completely. Once completely dry, anything harmful in the glue or epoxy will be rendered safe.
 
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