ATI Bubble Master 200?

justinpsmith · #1 12/03/2007, 08:42 PM

What do you think of this skimmer for a 130G FOWLR? The tank is well stocked because it is home to a porc puffer. Anyone have any opinions on this skimmer?

Engine 7 · #2 12/03/2007, 08:52 PM

I own one and it absolutly rocks. Best skimmer I could find for the money. Small footprint and short and pulls a lot of skimmate.
Buy it...

justinpsmith · #3 12/03/2007, 09:54 PM

It can sit right on the bottom of the sump right? I dont need to have it raised up? I have a short stand and thats why I like this skimmer.

tboneman · #4 12/03/2007, 10:39 PM

Yes it can sit on the bottom. It is completely adjustable w/ the gate valve.

CruzinKim · #5 12/03/2007, 11:40 PM

From what I've read, the best sump water level height is 6" to 8". So, if your sump water level is 12", you'll need a 4" stand to raise the skimmer. Take that into consideration. Also, your sump water level must be constant, you'll be forever adjusting it if the sump water level is not constant. It's definitely a great skimmer for the price and the performance is very close to the other high end skimmers, but at 1/2 the price.

justinpsmith · #6 12/04/2007, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CruzinKim
From what I've read, the best sump water level height is 6" to 8". So, if your sump water level is 12", you'll need a 4" stand to raise the skimmer. Take that into consideration. Also, your sump water level must be constant, you'll be forever adjusting it if the sump water level is not constant. It's definitely a great skimmer for the price and the performance is very close to the other high end skimmers, but at 1/2 the price.

Ok thanks for the advice. I will keep that in mind. Sounds like it should work really well in my sump though.

Reef Sponger · #7 12/04/2007, 03:05 AM

Excellent skimmer. I've seen most BM200 owners do better with a air valve installed. The other BM models don't need it, but the BM200 gives user more control and better foaming with the air valve.

justinpsmith · #8 12/04/2007, 04:30 PM

So it sounds pretty good. What about on a heavily stocked 130G FOWLR though? Im talking a decent amount of fish including a 10" Puffer.

And yes this one has the air valve installed already. Its only 2 months old but about $200 cheaper than new ones.

Reef Sponger · #9 12/04/2007, 04:45 PM

go for it before you loose the deal!

justinpsmith · #10 12/04/2007, 05:24 PM

Ok, well it seems that people only have great things to say about them so I will go pick it up tomorrow! Thanks.

CruzinKim · #11 12/04/2007, 05:39 PM

Even if it's $50 cheaper than a brand new one, pick it up as it's only 2 months old. Ha, ha, ha. No brainer as you save on sales tax, shipping, etc. You lucky dog, $200 savings.

justinpsmith · #12 12/05/2007, 07:48 PM

So I picked this skimmer up and I was impressed with how easy it was to set up. Its VERY quiet too. Actually I have no idea if its even making any noise since my return pump (Mag 24) is way louder.

I have a question though...What water height works best with these skimmers? I just threw it in my sump for now and got it going but the return is under about 4" of water. Im not sure where it should actually be. Also, is there a long break in time for these skimmers usually?

Thanks!

grandp10 · #13 12/05/2007, 08:16 PM

When using the air intake valve with the gate valve model BM 200 how do you set the foam? Which valve is set at a constant and then which one do you use to adjust the foam height?

grandp10 · #14 12/05/2007, 08:25 PM

Also, one more thing please. Do you guy's use the silencer on the air intake, either when or when not having the air intake valve? Does it make that big a difference in loudness? Do you keep the cotton ball stuff in there? Mine keeps getting water in the clear plastic resevoir. Thanks alot!

justinpsmith · #15 12/05/2007, 08:29 PM

I am using the gate valve to set the foam height but I just got mone and would like to know the same thing. I have the silencer in use but I have not been able to notice much of a difference. Actually so far this skimmer is the quietest I have ever owned.

grandp10 · #16 12/05/2007, 08:36 PM

I agree with the skimmer being quiet. I think it may be mostly the rubber on the bottom of the plate the skimmer is attached to and the rubber on the bottom of the pump. I have had some skimmers that make a little bit of noise through the air intake tube(like the sound of sucking through a straw that has barely any liquid left in the cup). I am not sure if this is the sound the silencer silences or just the sound of air rushing through the tube.

justinpsmith · #17 12/05/2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grandp10
I agree with the skimmer being quiet. I think it may be mostly the rubber on the bottom of the plate the skimmer is attached to and the rubber on the bottom of the pump. I have had some skimmers that make a little bit of noise through the air intake tube(like the sound of sucking through a straw that has barely any liquid left in the cup). I am not sure if this is the sound the silencer silences or just the sound of air rushing through the tube.

Im pretty sure that what the silencer silences because I have tried it with and without the silencer. With, I hear nothing from the skimmer, just my return pump. Without, I hear a slight sucking noise but really its not too bad. With my cabinet closed, I hear nothing from the skimmer. I tried turning my return pump off and still could hear nothing from the skimmer with the cabinet doors closed. Im really impressed so far with this skimmer. Just need to get it adjusted properly though.

grandp10 · #18 12/05/2007, 09:33 PM

Good point, I took the cotton ball out of the silencer and left the plastic piece in place. I can hear a very slight sucking sound, but I believe if the hole on the top plastic cap is enlarged (Greg from Reefgeek suggested enlarging hole to quiet it some with empty plastic resevoir) it will help.

justinpsmith · #19 12/05/2007, 09:57 PM

Yeah I took out the cotton too. So far Im very happy with how quiet the skimmer is...If only I could get my return pump quieter!

justinpsmith · #20 12/05/2007, 10:53 PM

So Im having a heck of a time adjusting this thing. I know there will be a break in period like any skimmer but Im having problems. Does anyone know approximately what water level seems to work with these skimmers? I keep thinking I have it set right (gate valve) but within an hour, it overflows. So I throttle it back slightly but then get pretty much no bubbles even making it into the neck. Seems really really sensitive. Any advice?

grandp10 · #21 12/05/2007, 11:09 PM

Ok, what I did is open the gate valve all the way, then after a few days like that I started to close the gate valve by turning counter clockwise. The directions say to do only one full turn per couple of hours to see how the water level in the skimmer reacts. Greg told me once it has been broken in some you can do this at a little faster pace. I ended up with my sump level being at real close to 7" and the gate valve at I beleive 8 turns counter clockwise. The higher the water level in the sump the less turns out counter clockwise. Hope that helps.

justinpsmith · #22 12/05/2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grandp10
Ok, what I did is open the gate valve all the way, then after a few days like that I started to close the gate valve by turning counter clockwise. The directions say to do only one full turn per couple of hours to see how the water level in the skimmer reacts. Greg told me once it has been broken in some you can do this at a little faster pace. I ended up with my sump level being at real close to 7" and the gate valve at I beleive 8 turns counter clockwise. The higher the water level in the sump the less turns out counter clockwise. Hope that helps.

Yes it does. I bought this skimmer used (2 months old) so I wonder if the break in time will be a little less? Anyways I will try what you said. Im already impressed with the tiny, dense bubbles it is producing.

Reef Sponger · #23 12/06/2007, 03:51 AM

Go over to ReefGeek forum and read this thread. Many of the first owners had challenges adjusting their skimmers to optimal and posted many of their ideas here.
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1

heuerfan · #24 12/06/2007, 10:19 AM

My bm200 is sitting in 6.5 inches of water in the sump. The sump water level should not fluctuate, should remain 6.5" all the time. I have mine on a 125 fowlr and feel this is a lot of skimmer for this size tank. When i first bought this skimmer some people told me that a bm160 would be a better fit and i believe they were right. Here is where i have my bubble breaking point at, its about one inch from the top.

Good luck!

justinpsmith · #25 12/06/2007, 11:34 AM

I actually got it set right last night before bed and checked this morning to find a decent amount of brown water and crap in the collection cup. I don't think there will even be much of a break in time with mine because it was run for 2 months before I got it. Im happy with the production over night.