The Bubble-Magus Club

[reeftivo]

Im bought my second BM skimmer this year. My first one was the NAC7 and now im running a 180cs. I was really happy with the nac7 and bought the 180cs expecting it to out perform the nac7. So far thats not the case The aquabee pump on the 180 is very powerful but I dont think the needlewheel is the right impeller for it. Has anyone done a mesh mod on one of these?


Heres a link to my BM reveiw im doing for my local club
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=62140&highlight=bubble+magus

Cheers
Ray

Not familiar with the impeller on the 180. I know it's an aquabee but does yours have the black NW? Not sure if you've mesh modded before but If it is then you could just snip off all the pins except for four which should be squared at 4 corners around the center. This will stabilize the mesh. Then just get some #4 enkemat and lay out two slightly oversized layers of it over the wheel and either zip tie it through the holes between the remaining pins or tie off some fishing line (I recommend zip ties). Once you have it secured you can then take some heavy scissors and cut cleanly around the wheel. I would start with two layers.

That the easiest way to mesh those.

BTW, my aquabee took some teaking to run right after meshing because I needed to make sure all the trimming was even (from the pins to the mesh). When there were inconsistancies, it would not restart or it would be loud because the balance was off.

Tivo

 

[zhangwx]

[violation]

 

[VA_Beach Nano]

BM180CS Gone crazy

BM180CS Gone crazy

:blown:
I have had my BM180CS for about a month and it was working perfect. I unplugged it for about 24 hours while treating for red slime. I plugged it back in it has gone crazy. I can not get this thing from overflowing a puking bubbles everywhere. No matter where I put the wedge pipe it still overflows. I was messing with the skimmer and when I put the intake pipe up against the side of the sump I was able to bring the bubbles down to a reasonable level. As soon as I bump or move the skimmer it goes crazy again. Needless to say the only way it work is to have a very restricted suction. The skimmer is sitting in 9 inches of water. I took everything apart and there is nothing blocked or broken.

So what is wrong it or what am I doing wrong?

 

[RayRay1983]

im in the same boat. i cant find the sweet spot on mine either

 

[wfournier]

What were you doing to treat for red slime? Why did you turn the skimmer off? Is there something you used that is making the water foam more than normal? I had this happen after treating with PraziPro, but this is known to cause the water to foam more (even after the treatment is "over").

 

[VA_Beach Nano]

What were you doing to treat for red slime? Why did you turn the skimmer off? Is there something you used that is making the water foam more than normal? I had this happen after treating with PraziPro, but this is known to cause the water to foam more (even after the treatment is "over").

I used Ultra Life Red Slime Remover for one dose and went lights out for 3 days. Was told by several lfs's to turn the skimmer. I was told it was dino or possibly red slime so I treated for the slime. After 96 hours of dosing I did about an 18 gallon water change on a net system of 80 gallons and pulled out all the krud from the tank. I now only dose 2 part and Brightwell Kalk+2 for for my top off water. Thank is look better than ever with the exception of mass bubbles flowing out of the skimmer.

 

[wfournier]

I did a quick search, and it appears that the slime remover is known to make skimmers go crazy. Interestingly MD on their product page recommends that you keep them running during the treatment but notes that"adjustment" may be necessary. What I did after treating my tank with prazi was to get the skimmer running as low as I could hand let it drain into a bucket. You need to be careful about topping off if a lot of water is coming out though.

 

[VA_Beach Nano]

I did a quick search, and it appears that the slime remover is known to make skimmers go crazy. Interestingly MD on their product page recommends that you keep them running during the treatment but notes that"adjustment" may be necessary. What I did after treating my tank with prazi was to get the skimmer running as low as I could hand let it drain into a bucket. You need to be careful about topping off if a lot of water is coming out though.

Thank you for the input. I was also talk to Chris from Nuocean and he said the same about letting it run crazy for a few days and it will calm down. I have definatly got to put a plug in for the support from Nuocean. How often is it that you have a response to a help question from a company at 22:00 on a Friday night. +1 to Nuocean and the support staff.

 

[Rich123]

How would the NAC5 do for a 55 gal med bio load tank? Or should I just get the NAC6 model?

 

[reeftivo]

NAC3.5

These guys are out of control!

 

[reeftivo]

How would the NAC5 do for a 55 gal med bio load tank? Or should I just get the NAC6 model?

NAC5 good!

NAC6 better!

 

[sneeyatch]

How's it working out for ya?

I like it better this way to be honest as the bubbles fill more of the skimmer's body. The turbulence thing is pretty much a non-issue as well and I find it a lot easier to dial in to where I want the level.

 

[reeftivo]

I took my NAC6 out of the sump to clean all the crust and junk out of it, cleaned the pump and all that but I didn't put the diffuser plate back in. I have a theory that certain skimmers perform well with them, but in other instances they be a hinderance so I removed it. If you look at the higher priced, larger skimmer like Deltec and Bubble King, etc., they bubble plate is large - taking up almost the entire girth of the skimmer. Additionally I've noticed that most skimmers that have them tend to be larger (taller) than most "hobbyist" level type skimmers. Then I started thinking about the old school Euro-reefs, ASM's and pretty much all of the other skimmers that perform well without the bubble plate.

Now, my skimmer's body is almost completely full from the top of the pump - up instead of a distance above the bubble plate. I think I'm going to leave it this way for a little while.

If that doesn't work out for you then try the bubble box for the SWC extreme 120. Fits perfectly, shorter, wider and countersunk. They have them on their site in the accessories section. I have an SWC and switched the plates after my mod on the original didn't prove much more effective.

 

[sal9012]

If that doesn't work out for you then try the bubble box for the SWC extreme 120. Fits perfectly, shorter, wider and countersunk. They have them on their site in the accessories section. I have an SWC and switched the plates after my mod on the original didn't prove much more effective.

where, I was there a minute ago and they start on the 160 and up (www dot swcskimmers dot com)?

 

[sal9012]

Bm100

Bm100

By the way, here is my original, still rocking

 

[reeftivo]

where, I was there a minute ago and they start on the 160 and up (www dot swcskimmers dot com)?

google swc skimmers, go on the site, click accessories to the left and go to page 5. Its the last item on the list.

 

[sal9012]

google swc skimmers, go on the site, click accessories to the left and go to page 5. Its the last item on the list.

got it

 

[timdanger]

NAC3.5

oooo...

i wonder if they'd sell just that bubble plate to stick on the NAC3 mini for the cadlights? would be a huge improvement.

 

[reeftivo]

pm zhangwx,

he gets them first.

They may be able to send you the acrylic. It still would be difficult to mount properly without being able to disassemble.

 

[RTMA]

Just joined, here is my NAC 7 Review with a few shots.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1820546