ATI Bubblemaster advice

[Wood_Duck69]

Hi folks.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with these skimmers.
They have only recently become available in Australia and I'm pretty interested as they would be a good fit for my sump and cabinet.
My system is about 180 gal with a fairly heavy bioload.
My first thoughts are that the BM250 may be a bit of overkill and that a BM 200 might actually be more suited, but I'd rather have too much capacity than not enough.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[sjm817]

I'd go for the BM250 with a 180G...actually, I did. What is the total system volume and what is "fairly heavy" bioload?

[Wood_Duck69]

180 gal including sump and refugium. Fairly heavy bioload = overstocked;)

[sjm817]

With 180G total volume, you should be good with the BM200 depending on how...fairly overstocked....you are.

[reef_doug]

I'm planning to get the BM250 for my 180g. The BM250 has two pumps, thicker construction, less problems then the BM200 allthough most bugs have been worked out.

Also if/when you upgrade to a 225g you'll be set!

[klam114]

The BM200 will be more than adequate for your 180g total water volume. BM200 can handle up to 200g heavy, 250g normal and the BM250 will handle up to 400g heavy, 500g normal.

[Wood_Duck69]

Thanks for the replies. Would there be any negatives using the BM250? I was just thinking that if I ever did upgrade to a bigger system the 250 would handle it. Does anyone subscribe to the over skimming theory?

[klam114]

If your upgrade is short term, then it make more sense to go with the BM250. If it is long term, most likely skimmers will completely change by then. I've seen properly sized skimmers and slightly bigger capacity than the total water volume do much better than severely oversized. I know there will be many who will disagree, JMHO based on my experience.

[Freds]

You may find that your bioload is below the bare minimum required for the BM250 to skim efficiently.

For total volume of 180 I'd go with the 200.

[mavgi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10214386#post10214386 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wood_Duck69
Thanks for the replies. Would there be any negatives using the BM250? I was just thinking that if I ever did upgrade to a bigger system the 250 would handle it. Does anyone subscribe to the over skimming theory?

in my system there is no over skimming , the skimmer not pull a lot of junk as it was before but still perform well after it's run few month .

i also think it will be better to go with the BM250 on this size of tank and if you want to upgrade in the future it will keep to serve you well.

some time i play with the skimmer and make some mod , today i pull almost twice then the standrat (3000LPH) and this skimmer work very well .