Bubble King

[gregt]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...06#post4886006

[FunkieReefJunkie]

BUMP
Need a BK fix until I can get one. ; )

[KevinFJB]

Any updates?

[FunkieReefJunkie]

"Any updates?" Not really. Except, well, I now am a proud BK owner. The craftmanship is superb. However it will not be in action until I get the 400 display and 200 sump plumbed. If your dreaming of a BK here are a few pics to give you a fix.

[gtrestoration]

Is that a 300?

SteveU

[KevinFJB]

Nice! When are you going to set it up?

[FunkieReefJunkie]

It is a three hundred. I pondered over the 400 model but then I saw what a monstrosity this skimmer is in person and was also assured it will more than handle my needs.

Once I got it home and drooled over it I changed my original plan of using it in a 100 Rubbermaid sump and had a custom 48 x 48 x 20 cube made to display it. It just looks too good to be hidden.

As for when I'll fire it up, it's a matter of how quick I can get the tanks plumbed and filled. I finally drilled the tanks yesterday and installed bulkheads today. Time, it's all relative.

[gtrestoration]

It just looks too good to be hidden.

300...

Come on in and look at my skum-making machine... wanna smell?

SteveU

[MSHUR]

hm...how come its only one drain pipe...
on my 300 i have two....
is this a new model ?

mike

[Heinz]

Funky,
nice
i see only one return, did klaus change the bk 300 to just one return?
Steve your 300 has 2 returns or i am confusing something ?

[MSHUR]

heinz,
mine has two returns

mike

[Heinz]

Mike, you where faster then i am, i was typing while you posted

[MSHUR]

))

[moonpod]

Somewhere on zeovit, Klaus posted that he had changed to one return. I think it was for less fiddle factor. I dunno.

[FunkieReefJunkie]

Yes. Gary did mention the new mod to me. Apparently it was done for ease of use.

[FunkieReefJunkie]

Moderator please make this go away.

[FunkieReefJunkie]

gtrestoration, any advice on the best way to get this puppy up and running. I'm going to rinse mine with some chlorine treated water to remove the acrylic/PVC residues before running it. Any learned advice feel free to share. Once mine is going we can have a skimmate sniff'n competition Winner get's beer. Loser gets beer.

[gtrestoration]

I just raised the output pipes for several days (mine has two outputs) and ran real wet to clean it out.
Try to make your first adjustments using only the riser pipe. After you get it close then turn the angle pipe for the fine adjustments.

As for the Red Dragon input. It took me a while to understand what the fitting on the input end of the RD did. To understand and see the change when you turn it, I suggest you remove (unscrew) the collection bucket and turn the input screw in and out. When you do that you should see some change in the turbulence overflowing from the main skimmer body. I try to adjust mine so that when it overflows the body it looks real smooth and without the high spots from extra turbulence.

HTH...
SteveU

[FunkieReefJunkie]

Thank you for the crash course. It's been awhile since it was explained to me.

[hsvtoolfool]

FunkieReefJunkie, I am curious about the "top hat" structure
at the bottom of the skimmer...

#1) Can this piece be removed to clean the bottom of the
skimmer? It looks to be glued in place.

#2) The input from the pump appears to empty into the upper
portion of the "hat" (labeled "bubble injection chamber") where
the bubbles rise up through small holes into the skimmer body.
Is this chamber open to the lower "return chamber" near the
bottom? Or does this chamber have a solid bottom so that no
bubbles can travel downwards? I suspect the latter.

#3) The small holes at the top of the chamber appear to be
tapered. Is this correct?

#4) Is my cutaway sketch reasonably accurate in terms of how
the bubbles flow?

[FunkieReefJunkie]

Well your schematic is spot on. The bottom hat is permanently affixed. Mmmm... and I'm not sure I want to be the one giving out trade secrets about specific designs. As a result of not seeing it action yet it would be be inappropriate for me to comment on the dynamics of air and flow. I'll refer this maybe to gtrestoration or Gary whom I'm sure can tell you a great deal more.

[gtrestoration]

That plate IMO is an absolute must for the skimmer, not because the design makes it superior but because the volume of air and water the Red Dragon pump is pushing. Without the plate the turbulence would be unbearable.
The bottom plate as mentioned is not removable but at this point after 5 months I see no problem with that.
SteveU

[hsvtoolfool]

Thanks FunkieReefJunkie and gtrestoration! I suspected the
plate was glued in place. Otherwise, the air bubbles would cause
it to float inside the main chamber. I'm curious how long it takes
for detrius to build up beneath the plate. But five months is a nice
long time to stay clean. Disconnecting the skimmer once a year
for a thorough upside-down rinsing is reasonable enough.

[NAGA]

I have used my BK500 for about 6 months now and I do have a bit of detritus on the bottom. A good hosing would take care ofthat though

[Klaus Jansen]

Originally posted by MSHUR
hm...how come its only one drain pipe...
on my 300 i have two....
is this a new model ?

mike

Dear Mike,

we switched the 2 x 50mm outless pipe in 1 x 63mm outless pipe. The change is simpler fur the customers to serve. There are no differences, both systems in the function works very well.

best regards.... Klaus