Bubble Master Skimmers more info wanted??? - Page 17

ridetheducati · #**401** 12/19/2006, 12:47 PM

Does the tank look like there is no water inside? Fish floating? I love that look, but my Tunze's prevent me from having that nirvana.

Solly · #**402** 12/19/2006, 02:24 PM

Random question:

Does anyone have suggestions for ways to introduce proteins into the skimmer's test-resevoir, for those of us who don't yet have tanks set up?

I mean, most people just dump in a little skimmate to see what the BM can do, and I'm looking for an alternative way to introduce DOC's, since I don't have skimmate on hand yet.

-Solly

Creetin · #**403** 12/19/2006, 02:27 PM

phytoplankton, cyclopeeze, Or any meaty food will decay and be skimmed out.

Maximus · #**404** 12/19/2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimdogg187
I agree. These look like great skimmers, but it seems alot of the problems could be solved by simply adding some extra inches to the height.....

OT: Hi Jim, been visiting the folks in El Dorado Hills today and bought a car at Niello Acura. It was freaking cold this morning in Sac!

UCanDoIt · #**405** 12/19/2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ridetheducati
Does the tank look like there is no water inside? Fish floating? I love that look, but my Tunze's prevent me from having that nirvana.

No for my dealer's display tank, but there's a sparkle to his water and the water looks like a blue sparkle to it. When he feeds, it clouds up, but within an hour, it's clear again. All algae growth seem to drop to a minimum since the BM skimmers starting testing on that tank.

Ah64av8tor · #**406** 12/19/2006, 07:37 PM

Pedro,

Post that question on the ORCA Forum, thats the local club in Orlando.

boy I must have fallen asleep and missed a few pages

rpeeples · #**407** 12/20/2006, 01:54 AM

Add another owner the list......I received my BM250 from Greg last week.

Looking for feedback on a couple of quick questions...

Has anyone tried putting a gate valve mod on the exhaust to control the water level in the skimmer?

Also has anyone setup ozone to run through these skimmer?

Lastly, has anyone setup a drain line (drilling the acrylic) on the collection cup.

Thanks for the feedback as I look forward to contributing to this thread.

Peeps

UCanDoIt · #**408** 12/20/2006, 02:02 AM

I'm sure that you can do all those things you want without any problems. My Aquarium tech actually mentioned to me this week that he prefers the ball or gate valve on the exhaust. If you do any drilling on the collection, I would recommend drilling on the bottom instead of the side, so you don't accidentally crack the cup as the acrylic side wall isn't very thin. Also, don't recommend that you leave it open and drainning continuously. What works best is when you are ready to clean the collection cup or just want to empty it, open the drain valve and drain it manually, then shut it again. It certainly helps to lighten the collection cup when cleaning needs to be perform on it... that's a BIG cup!

Creetin · #**409** 12/20/2006, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UCanDoIt
I'm sure that you can do all those things you want without any problems. My Aquarium tech actually mentioned to me this week that he prefers the ball or gate valve on the exhaust. If you do any drilling on the collection, I would recommend drilling on the bottom instead of the side, so you don't accidentally crack the cup as the acrylic side wall isn't very thin. Also, don't recommend that you leave it open and drainning continuously. What works best is when you are ready to clean the collection cup or just want to empty it, open the drain valve and drain it manually, then shut it again. It certainly helps to lighten the collection cup when cleaning needs to be perform on it... that's a BIG cup!

I agree!! The second wave has not been out long maybe a week or 2. We didnt have the option of a gate valve. We are getting our revised parts in this week.

rpeeples · #**410** 12/20/2006, 09:06 AM

I was part of Wave2.....what are the revised parts you folks (W1) are awaiting?

UCanDoIt · #**411** 12/20/2006, 11:24 AM

The revised version has the adjustable exhaust with a wing nut that lowers & raises the exhaust T-fitting. The first version was a fixed T-fitting and an optional a ball valve exhaust kit to attached to the output on the T is in the mail. It looks like a nice heavy duty ball valve.

daven · #**412** 12/20/2006, 02:23 PM

I'm interested in a BM250. Ive seen the dimensions but one thing I can't tell is how much room above the cup is needed to remove it.

In other words, if I have 26" height I know the 250 will fit but will I be able to remove the cup without having a cussing fit?

UCanDoIt · #**413** 12/20/2006, 04:26 PM

Yes, you need 2" clearance to remove the collection cup for cleaning, 3" clearance is a luxury.

Bono · #**414** 12/20/2006, 04:35 PM

UCanDoIt,

You have mention "your aquarium tech" several times in this thread and I was wondering what you mean and what does he/she do for you.

UCanDoIt · #**415** 12/20/2006, 04:43 PM

delete, double post in error.

UCanDoIt · #**416** 12/20/2006, 04:44 PM

He & his partner own an aquarium maintenance company and they service aquariums mainly for businesses, but do some residential. This is a fancy title for someone who does my water changes for me. He is also an authorized dealer for some of the high end equipment, like skimmers for our city. Most of the LFS in our city don't carry anthing high end, so they are our only source. They also do a lot of testing of difference skimmers and several tests are side by side comparisons. Nice to be able to see new equipment like the Bubblemaster tested and not have to risk any monies myself.

Maximus · #**417** 12/20/2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by daven
I'm interested in a BM250. Ive seen the dimensions but one thing I can't tell is how much room above the cup is needed to remove it.

In other words, if I have 26" height I know the 250 will fit but will I be able to remove the cup without having a cussing fit?

You will have no problem at all. I only have 23" of height, and mine fits.

DeltecRules · #**418** 12/20/2006, 08:50 PM

How much air does the BM 150 pull?

UCanDoIt · #**419** 12/20/2006, 09:15 PM

Based on a recap of everyone's skimmer performance:
BM250 44-45mm threadpad yields 1300-1500lph
BM200 42mm-43mm threadpad yields 1100-1300lph
40mm-41mm threadpad yields 900-1100lph

No one has measured the BM150 yet, but an educated guess would be:
BM150 39mm-40mm threadpad should yield approximately 800-1000lph, at least 800lph for sure I would think. Fliger can tell us once he has a chance to setup his BM150 and measure the air draw.

tatuvaaj · #**420** 12/21/2006, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UCanDoIt
Based on a recap of everyone's skimmer performance:
BM250 44-45mm threadpad yields 1300-1500lph
BM200 42mm-43mm threadpad yields 1100-1300lph
40mm-41mm threadpad yields 900-1100lph

Hmm, that's interesting. Is there a difference between US and EU models? All BM 250s I've seen draw 1900-2000+ lph of air. Even my 1st gen BM (they didn't have model numbers back then as there was only one model, the "250") yields 1900+ lph/Air.

I've noticed the BM 250s don't come with integrated air flow meter anymore? Some confusion was caused by the fact that the meter was for Argon and not air and you had to multiply the result with 1.38 as Ar is more dense than air.

UCanDoIt · #**421** 12/21/2006, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UCanDoIt
Based on a recap of everyone's skimmer performance:
BM250 44-45mm threadpad yields 1300-1500lph
BM200 42mm-43mm threadpad yields 1100-1300lph, 40mm-41mm threadpad yields 900-1100lph

No one has measured the BM150 yet, but an educated guess would be:
BM150 39mm-40mm threadpad should yield approximately 800-1000lph, at least 800lph for sure, I would think. Fliger can tell us once he has a chance to setup his BM150 and measure the air draw.

Sorry for the error, as the air draw reading above is for each pump individually. Both pumps together, running through a single tube to measure, for the BM250 yields 1800 - 2000lph. Not sure why it isn't closer to 2800lph in total???

tatuvaaj · #**422** 12/21/2006, 02:04 AM

Ah, that explains it! Thanks!

"Old" ones had one pump, mine has Eheim 1264 (modified by ATI).

Roland Jacques · #**423** 12/21/2006, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UCanDoIt
Both pumps together, running through a single tube to measure, for the BM250 yields 1800 - 2000lph. Not sure why it isn't closer to 2800lph in total???

I think the Low combined readings on the 250 is a result of the flowmeter setup. 1/4" fitting and hose sizes and even the flowmeter itself restrict air flow. As your air flow goes up it requires bigger hoses and fittings... to minimize the restrictions to get accurate readings. When testing aircraft parts you are suppose to add a pressure/vaccume gauges to help get accurate flow readings. Anyway that my theory FWIW.

Creetin · #**424** 12/21/2006, 09:48 AM

I agree, When testing the 250 a 1/4 flowmeter isnt going to cut it.
You have to measure each pump seperately, and that is still restricting because they should be 3/8ths.

hahnmeister · #**425** 12/21/2006, 02:09 PM

uh, I dont see how using a 1/4" flowmeter will change much. The 10" RMC series flowmeters I have might have the 1/2" in and out threads, but the air still has to pass through the meter which is the most restrictive part. The only way to get a true reading is with a laser flow unit.

If someone wants a monster, I have 2 extra 'used' RMC flow meters... 10-100 scfm models. Id let them go for $10 a pop + shipping. Keep in mind... 10-100 scfm, not scfh.