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06/16/2016, 02:02 PM | #1 |
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Is my BK skimmer to big
i originally posted this question in lighting and filtration, and was told to ask in the RE section. I have a SM 200 RD3 that I want to use on a 120 sps with hi bio load. Is this skimmer going to work in this system? All Input is welcome, thanks
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06/16/2016, 05:19 PM | #2 |
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The SM200 is a great skimmer but the minimum recommended display size is a heavily stocked 210 gallon display. A better choice for your tank would have been the Double Cone 180. While the SM200 will work, it's way too big and you will need to run it really wet in order to keep it remotely consistent. The issue is the neck diameter is sized relative to the expected load and you will never have enough load in that display to generate enough dissolved organics (DOC's) to maintain enough consistent foam to fill the neck. If you had the skimmer dialed in properly, the skimmer will produce for a couple days and reduce the DOC's and then idle along while the DOC's build back up. The end result is your dissolved organics will be going up and down instead of staying consistently low.
My suggestion (if you intend to keep this skimmer) would be to run the pump at about 28 watts and raise the water level in your sump (with the wedge pipe wide open) until you get the line where the bubbles turn to foam up about 1/2" above the collar where the neck threads to the body. Your probably going to end up between 9-9.5" of sump depth. From there you can use the wedge pipe to raise the foam level even higher until you find a point where it's producing reasonably consistently. The only downside is that your skimmer will overflow easier due to changes in the water and or slight plugging of the Venturi due to salt creep. With these skimmers being so conservately rated, they are best being properly sized. The idea is that you're better off having a properly sized skimmer that works consistently hard than an oversized skimmer that hardly has to work and is inconsistent as a result.
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Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 Last edited by slief; 06/16/2016 at 05:26 PM. |
06/24/2016, 07:19 PM | #3 |
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Isn't there a forum for selling used equipment and such here? Id be willing to trade for a skimmer that would be a more appropriate size
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06/24/2016, 07:36 PM | #4 | |
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Quote:
I would suggest posting a thread in the regional/club section that is closest to where you live. You can find your local club/regional section here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=80
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Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 |
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06/25/2016, 07:38 AM | #5 |
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If you're on Facebook you could also post it in the Bubble King Owners group - being that we currently do not have any SM200's in stock, you may find that someone looking for one would be willing to trade you.
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Marco Royal Exclusiv USA - Fort Myers, FL Operations For All Royal Exclusiv / Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: RS Reefer 450 |
07/14/2016, 12:59 PM | #6 |
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Yep, you guys were right, this thing is way too much for my tank and sump. It fits into the sump just fine however the about of bubbles coming out are no match for my bubble trap.
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07/14/2016, 01:04 PM | #7 |
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How do I turn the wattage of the pump down?
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07/14/2016, 01:46 PM | #8 |
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On the controller, you'll see an UP/DOWN button. hit the DOWN button, about a second or two after letting go, the number will change and settle to the actual wattage.
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Marco Royal Exclusiv USA - Fort Myers, FL Operations For All Royal Exclusiv / Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: RS Reefer 450 |
07/14/2016, 02:14 PM | #9 |
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My skimmer does not have a controller, the pump is "red dragon 1500"
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07/14/2016, 06:31 PM | #10 | |
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Quote:
That said, if you just set this tank up, you won't have much in the way or dissolved organics to begin with. If you just set the skimmer up, it will need a good week to break in before it settles down. Once it's broken in, the amount of microbubbles should subside. Until it's fully broken in, you will have a hard time turning it which requires adjusting that nozzle on the volute (pump head) to fine tune the amount of air going into the skimmer. FWIW, I would suggest starting at about 1.5 full turns out from fully closed and working your way out from there.
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Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 |
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07/15/2016, 10:26 AM | #11 |
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wow - based on the sump pictures you posted here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2582852
This skimmer is definitively blowing out and seems quite oversized. Try closing the output wedge pipe some, understanding that it may overflow. It's very early on in your tank, especially for such large skimmer. Personally I'd turn it off for a few weeks, but leave it in. Also check the volute/nozzle and make sure there is no salt creep. Do you have the orange plug for the cup drain?
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Marco Royal Exclusiv USA - Fort Myers, FL Operations For All Royal Exclusiv / Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: RS Reefer 450 |
07/15/2016, 12:44 PM | #12 |
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wI'll do, thank you and Slief so much for all your help!
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07/15/2016, 12:44 PM | #13 |
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Unfortunately I don't have Facebook, or I would definitely look into that
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