bubble king mini 200-poor performance

[wert12345]

I have recently installed a bk mini 200 on a 125 gal FOWLR. The tank is heavily fed and has a fair amount of hair alge so I believe it has a fairly high nutrient load.

The skimmer has been installed for two weeks, and is producing very little skimate. It has probably produced two tablespoons of light green skimate in two weeks.

Mechanically, the skimmer apperars to me to be doing what it should be doing. The skimmer body is filled with a very dense column of air bubbles. The water level is set even to the black line on the column.

Any suggestions are improving performance would be appreciated. I've been told that the bks do not perform well if they are oversized, and that mine is oversized. Is this the case?
Thanks

[Proline]

Hello Wert
1-what is the height of water in sump?
2-is the compartment the skimmer is in has a steady water level?
3-any loud noise out of the pump ,or loud hissing out of the silencer?
4-how high is the water level in the skimmer set at?
If you have a picture of the skimmer or setup that can help as well.
Regards
Chris
Proline Aquatics

[Creetin]

I have no exp with BK, But i would think its breaking in.
I usually let new skimmers run atleast a few hrs in a water and vinigar bath. The production oils can be stubborn at times so give it some time or try a bath out and wait a few days. 3 weeks is usually the majic number for break in periods. I would read all the threads i could to understand the mini's better in the mean time to see if youre missing something.
Good luck.

[Creetin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11404773#post11404773 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Proline
Hello Wert
1-what is the height of water in sump?
2-is the compartment the skimmer is in has a steady water level?
3-any loud noise out of the pump ,or loud hissing out of the silencer?
4-how high is the water level in the skimmer set at?
If you have a picture of the skimmer or setup that can help as well.
Regards
Chris
Proline Aquatics

All valid points there for in sump skimmers!!

[wert12345]

1) the height of water in the sump is 9.25 inches
2) Yes, it is sitting in the middle compartment of a refugium type sump that maintains a constant water level
3) no noise
4) I haver been keeping the liquid/ foam interface right at the max water level line on the skimmer.

The neck of the skimmer always seems to contain a stable foam but it dosen't seem to make it into the collection cup. In fact, if I scoop out the foam with a spoon, new stable foam appears in just a few mins. If I did that all day I could probably export a lot of nutrients. I have now increased the water level to up above the max water level to try to push the foam out. Can the skimmer function well with the level that high?

[Creetin]

Whats the intake setting on the pump??

[wert12345]

Didn't know there was an intake setting on the pump. There is no strainer or valve of any type on the pump intake as far as I can tell.

[Creetin]

Guess i should have checked one out, But it does not seem to have the adjustment that the other BK skimmers have to controll air and water. Sorry
I would still bet its breaking in still.
I would check the airline for obstuctions like salt creep, and iff all clear i would just hold tight for another week.

[wert12345]

It's started to produce a bit more skimate in the last two days. Maybe it does need more time, I have the water level about 2 inched above the max water level line though.

[Creetin]

I have tested 6 skimmers in the last year, 3 to sometimes 4 weeks to start producing normal amts of skimmate, after about 5 or so weeks its fully broken in and full steam of bubbles. The production oils can break down a foam head pretty good.
Keep an eye on it, It could overflow once it gets caught up with the water that high.

[Proline]

Good to hear Wert
Alex ,great pointer with the waterlevel & overflowing.
Regards
Shane

[wert12345]

Thanks for the advice. It seems to pick up a little each day at this point.

[Proline]

You are wellcome
Please keep us posted

[Creetin]

Well i am on another new skimmer too, and i am waiting as well for the oils to wear off. :( I know it can worry ya sometimes as you think you have to tinker with it. BK is a good company to have faith in, I have no doubt it will start cranking up some skimmate for ya soon.
Good to see BK in prolines hands.
Get some pics up once it gets going! Nop one posts pics of thier BK's. LOL

[albfelix]

[i]
Get some pics up once it gets going! Nop one posts pics of thier BK's. LOL [/B]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1272944

[albfelix]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1269672

[Proline]

Felix
I think You be impressed with the skimmer ,if you give it a chance
first the rock bucket there looks like alot of water agitation on the surface,that doesn't help ,also not much water volume ,that is why you are getting such a wet skimmate ,simply the rocks not releasing the nutrients back into the ater fast enough for the skimmer to skimm dark.The skimmer is constantly taking everything out of the water,this is the reason why we recomend to all user to do not get an oversized Bk for their tank unless they have a very heavy bioload.
The fact that it is already foaming like that to the lid ,I think it is on it's way to be broken in.
I am sure it will be a beautifull set up by the time you are all done
Regards
Chris
Proline

[albfelix]

o well I sold my mini 200 to one lucky guy for 900 shipped since I got an excellent deal on a used H&S recirculating skimmer. I never had any luck skimming dry with any in sump skimmer