The Bubble-Magus Club
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bloodyshoes
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i am looking at the BM 160 to replace my protein skimmer on my 120 gal tank with approx 15 gal water in the sump. total volume 135 gal. medium bioload. is the 160 good enough or should i consider getting the model with 2 aquabees?
It came with teh 4gal finnex tank they sold at pet supplies plus..it was my buddies and he gave it to me..you can buy it here
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=FI-A-SL-1213&Category_Code=Finnexpc
tangtang clown
New member
Jon Reefer, what size is your sump? Is the tee on your skimmer outlet supposed to be that low? It looks like it should be raised. I bet you have to close your standpipe almost all the way. Try using a longer peice between the tee and the 90.
tangtang clown
New member
Jon Reefer, what size is your sump? Is the tee on your skimmer outlet supposed to be that low? It looks like it should be raised. I bet you have to close your standpipe almost all the way. Try using a longer peice between the tee and the 90.
tangtang clown
New member
The height of the tee on your outlet determines where the water level inside your skimmer will be (the water level in your sump also), so if you have the tee higher, you can open the stand pipe and move more water through your skimmer.
Like this:
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Like this:
tangtang clown
New member
I'm not saying the picture is the right height, but you get the idea?
The old and new BM100's have a low outlet like that, and it is an internal (in-sump) skimmer.
The old and new BM160's have a high outlet, and it is an external skimmer.
The sump water height would impact back pressure on the outlet tee, but would also provide some pressure to the pump inlet. I bet both of these factors work together to influence the skimmers performance for both water and air throughput.
You would have to do your own plumbing on the BM100 to raise the outlet Tee height, it's height is not adjustable. Closing down the valve on the outlet Tee should have the same impact though as raising the height, more back pressure.
I don't know if there is anyway to simulate more feed side water pressure to the pump on the BM100 though, without raising the sump water level height. You'd have to feed the skimmer pump with another pump, and I think it would get very difficult to control.
The old and new BM160's have a high outlet, and it is an external skimmer.
The sump water height would impact back pressure on the outlet tee, but would also provide some pressure to the pump inlet. I bet both of these factors work together to influence the skimmers performance for both water and air throughput.
You would have to do your own plumbing on the BM100 to raise the outlet Tee height, it's height is not adjustable. Closing down the valve on the outlet Tee should have the same impact though as raising the height, more back pressure.
I don't know if there is anyway to simulate more feed side water pressure to the pump on the BM100 though, without raising the sump water level height. You'd have to feed the skimmer pump with another pump, and I think it would get very difficult to control.
tangtang clown
New member
Did you not have to put your stand pipe together? Every skimmer I had came with PVC that the buyer assembles when it arrives, simply by putting the pieces together. I figured you could just try a longer piece inserted in your bottom 90. Oh well, if it came permanently assembled then no way.
tangtang clown
New member
Do the pipes come apart if you twist and pull gently, or in other words, are they glued together or just inserted?
sal9012
New member
You can take everything apart, nothing is glued, but you don't really have to mess around with the T height, it was designed to run like that. Just play with the water output. Mine is running for around 7 months and no issues. Once it settles down it will skim very consistent. It's a little sensitive to water level but once you find the sweet spot you are good to go. Great skimmer for the money.
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