seaguy7
Premium Member
I just switched from a Bubble King 200 mini to a Warner Marine K2 skimmer. Below are a few pictures and impressions in comparing the two. I have a 175g display on about a 200g total volume system with mostly SPS and a medium bioload (2 clowns, 2 tangs, a CBB, 4 anthias, a wrasse and 4 smaller fish).
I love the Bubble King. It is built like a tank. But just like all skimmers, it has moving parts that over time will require replacement. Replacement parts on the BK are very pricey. A snail got into the needlewheel and broke a bunch of pins off. I had to pay $154 since you have to buy a complete impeller/needlewheel unit. I know I should keep snails out of the sump but ahh... 'stuff' happens. If the Red Dragon pump fails, I believe the cost will be over $350 for replacement (I could only find it listed online for $320 euros). It has failed to restart a couple times but is still reliable with regular cleaning (every couple months). It has been in use about 9 months). If the K2 Sicce pump or impeller fails, the Sicce pump and needlewheel unit combined will be less than $200. You can also buy individual components for far less than from Royal Exclusive. And they are all covered under warranty if it isn't caused by some foreign object. Despite the difference in parts replacements costs, I hate the hassle of replacing things if they fail before a reasonable time frame. So even if I can buy four impellers for the price of one, I would much rather buy one per year than even 2 so reliability is important to me which is why I paid a premium for a BK in the first place.
The other reason I switched is that I am intrigued by the cone concept and wanted to try it out. I am going to use the K2 for a couple months and if I am satisfied with its performance and reliabiability, I will sell the BK or switch back if I don't think the K2 is up to the task.
Initial reaction is that the K2 is well built but not quite as solid and heavily built as the BK. Current online pricing has the K2 about $300 less than the BK 200 Mini (roughly $800 versus $1100).
Below is the BK 24 hours after cleaning with 24 hrs of skimmate:
Below is a side by side photo of both skimmers. I can't remember how to compute the volume of a cone so I am going to have to guess that the volume of bubbles (from bubble plate to overflow) is about the same in the two skimmers. Although the total height of the two skimmers is comparable, the height from bubble plate to overflow is 12" on the BK and 16" on the K2. This is due to the BK-mini design where the pump sits underneath the bubble plate.
Below is a full shot of the K2 in place about 48 hours after turning it on during initial break-in. The gate valve adjustment is very easy and seems precise. I have had to make some adjustments during breakin but the height of the skimmate now seems very stable and easily adjustable.
Below is a shot of the K2 skimmate after 48 hours. You can tell by the nog buildup below the top of the skimmer that during break-in I had the bubble height a bit low. I just raised it slightly before taking the picture.
One final impression. I love the ease of taking off the BK skimmate reservoir to empty/clean. You just lift it off. It is fairly heavy so it's weight and a notched ledge holds it in place. No twisting, no connections. The K2 skimmer cup is threaded so you have to disconnect the air tube and twist the cup about 3 times before removal. This is only a 30 second task but compared to the BK it is not as slick.
It is still too early to say whether the K2 is more or less effective at overall skimming. My guess after 2 days is that they will be comparable.
Below is a full tank shot from a couple weeks ago. This tank has been up and running about 7 months:
I love the Bubble King. It is built like a tank. But just like all skimmers, it has moving parts that over time will require replacement. Replacement parts on the BK are very pricey. A snail got into the needlewheel and broke a bunch of pins off. I had to pay $154 since you have to buy a complete impeller/needlewheel unit. I know I should keep snails out of the sump but ahh... 'stuff' happens. If the Red Dragon pump fails, I believe the cost will be over $350 for replacement (I could only find it listed online for $320 euros). It has failed to restart a couple times but is still reliable with regular cleaning (every couple months). It has been in use about 9 months). If the K2 Sicce pump or impeller fails, the Sicce pump and needlewheel unit combined will be less than $200. You can also buy individual components for far less than from Royal Exclusive. And they are all covered under warranty if it isn't caused by some foreign object. Despite the difference in parts replacements costs, I hate the hassle of replacing things if they fail before a reasonable time frame. So even if I can buy four impellers for the price of one, I would much rather buy one per year than even 2 so reliability is important to me which is why I paid a premium for a BK in the first place.
The other reason I switched is that I am intrigued by the cone concept and wanted to try it out. I am going to use the K2 for a couple months and if I am satisfied with its performance and reliabiability, I will sell the BK or switch back if I don't think the K2 is up to the task.
Initial reaction is that the K2 is well built but not quite as solid and heavily built as the BK. Current online pricing has the K2 about $300 less than the BK 200 Mini (roughly $800 versus $1100).
Below is the BK 24 hours after cleaning with 24 hrs of skimmate:
Below is a side by side photo of both skimmers. I can't remember how to compute the volume of a cone so I am going to have to guess that the volume of bubbles (from bubble plate to overflow) is about the same in the two skimmers. Although the total height of the two skimmers is comparable, the height from bubble plate to overflow is 12" on the BK and 16" on the K2. This is due to the BK-mini design where the pump sits underneath the bubble plate.
Below is a full shot of the K2 in place about 48 hours after turning it on during initial break-in. The gate valve adjustment is very easy and seems precise. I have had to make some adjustments during breakin but the height of the skimmate now seems very stable and easily adjustable.
Below is a shot of the K2 skimmate after 48 hours. You can tell by the nog buildup below the top of the skimmer that during break-in I had the bubble height a bit low. I just raised it slightly before taking the picture.
One final impression. I love the ease of taking off the BK skimmate reservoir to empty/clean. You just lift it off. It is fairly heavy so it's weight and a notched ledge holds it in place. No twisting, no connections. The K2 skimmer cup is threaded so you have to disconnect the air tube and twist the cup about 3 times before removal. This is only a 30 second task but compared to the BK it is not as slick.
It is still too early to say whether the K2 is more or less effective at overall skimming. My guess after 2 days is that they will be comparable.
Below is a full tank shot from a couple weeks ago. This tank has been up and running about 7 months:
