Bubble King Skimmer Club - Page 49

Surferboy1500 · 05/29/2012, 04:29 PM

Bought a Supermarine 200 at the end of March. I've had some serious problems with it. It is sitting in 9 inches of water, but I cannot get it to not overflow even with the exit valve completely open (by adjusting the pipe riser), which causes it to send out tons of microbubbles out with water. It will overflow within a minute and I have to turn it off.

In order to make it even usable, I ended up taking the small pipe that I assume recirculates air on the pump off so that and plugging it (the red stiff airline hose). Even without this recirculating, I'm still barely able to get it to skim without overflowing, and have to remove an entire cup everyday. Its not skimmate as much as slightly murky water. Any ideas anyone?

Jeremy B. · 05/30/2012, 07:40 AM

- Is this a new system?
- Have you added any type of additives or medications?
- Have you used any frag glue or epoxy recently?

Surferboy1500 · 05/30/2012, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy B.

- Is this a new system?
- Have you added any type of additives or medications?
- Have you used any frag glue or epoxy recently?

System has been up and running since Feb 2011 and no additives, medications or epoxy. I thought it would just take some time to stabilize but after two months it's still running fully open on the riser valve although the micro bubbles that are pushed back into the water have decreased after removing and plugging the airline tube. It was suggested to just raise the whole thing but I could only wade it like an inch or else the pump would be out of the water. I also tried turning the tube on the front of the pump from the "ideal" spot denoted by the two dots with no luck.

sreefs · 05/30/2012, 09:16 AM

I had the same issue, and changed the water depth to 8 inches after a day or two it settled down (working great since). Also take several gallons of over flow water out, let it drain from the skimmer cup to a large bucket.. Replace with fresh salt water.
HTH

Jeremy B. · 05/30/2012, 09:17 AM

What were told the ideal spot was for the venturi? If it's too far closed the skimmer would overflow and spew bubbles most likely. I also agree that going to 8" would help.

Surferboy1500 · 05/30/2012, 10:49 AM

How can I raise the skimmer/pump? Any easy ideas?

Jeremy B. · 05/30/2012, 10:54 AM

Use a few pieces of egg crate stacked on top of each other, a salt bucket lid, or anything else that you can come up with.

Surferboy1500 · 05/30/2012, 11:30 AM

I thought about eggcrate but the skimmer and pump have those little rubber pegs to keep it quiet. they wouldn't work on the eggcrate.

sreefs · 05/30/2012, 12:48 PM

Get a piece of plexiglass from Lowes, and put his on top of the eggcrate!

bayoupr · 05/30/2012, 01:07 PM

Get apiece of PVC sheet cut to the footprint of your skimmer including pump, go to HD or Lowes and buy nylon bolts and nuts the length that you need to raise it. Drill a hole in all four corners and install the bolts and you now have a table to raise the skimmer. This way you keep flow passing under the tray and don't get a build up of detrimus in the sump

Canadaguy · 06/04/2012, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayoupr

Get apiece of PVC sheet cut to the footprint of your skimmer including pump, go to HD or Lowes and buy nylon bolts and nuts the length that you need to raise it. Drill a hole in all four corners and install the bolts and you now have a table to raise the skimmer. This way you keep flow passing under the tray and don't get a build up of detrimus in the sump

What an excellent idea with the nylon bolts!

flipteg · 06/11/2012, 05:48 PM

would you all recommend shutting the pump off when cleaning the cup. i usually shut the pumps off on my skimmer but i'm not sure if doing that every 2 days to clean the cup will reduce the life of the RD pump.

sreefs · 06/11/2012, 06:00 PM

I mark where the sweet spot is on the pipe and them turn it so it is wide open, wait for the head to drop and take off the cup. Clean the cup and neck then put cup back on and then turn the pipe back to the sweet spot.
HTH

flipteg · 06/13/2012, 05:30 PM

i got my Mini 160 today!

this thing is quite a bit bigger than what i was expecting from seeing it in the pictures. because of this, i considered getting the 180 instead for my 57 gallon tank. Jeremy convinced me otherwise over the phone. seeing the skimmer in person, i can now appreciate where he is coming from. the term "mini" is a bit of a misnomer here.

compared to what it's replacing. a SeaSide Aquatics CS1. it is practically the same as the Bubble Magus NAC7 but the CS1 has a Sicce PSK600 pump instead of an Atman. i thought the CS1 was huge when i first got it.

shaggss · 06/13/2012, 05:54 PM

yep I have to 160 too. GREAT skimmer. Never had a problem with mine and been going strong almost two years. Quality is second to none. I have mine on a 50G and it pulls some really good stuff out. Enjoy!

flipteg · 06/13/2012, 07:39 PM

what is that red tube that sticks out from the back of the pump and connects to the pump's output?

Reef_Noob · 06/14/2012, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipteg

what is that red tube that sticks out from the back of the pump and connects to the pump's output?

Interesting observation....what is that? Some kind of anti calicination bypass?
The pump in the 160 does look different too.
The gen 2 versions have a white volute. Is this a new version or a new pump altogether?

The skimmer is a real machine and it does its job to perfection with minimal tinkering.

Reef_Noob · 06/14/2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipteg

would you all recommend shutting the pump off when cleaning the cup. i usually shut the pumps off on my skimmer but i'm not sure if doing that every 2 days to clean the cup will reduce the life of the RD pump.

A great question....what would be your suggestion Jeremy? Does switching on/off during the cup cleaning cycles affect pump life?
Or following sreefs suggestion (post #1213) would be best choice?
C'mon experts we need ya here

flipteg · 06/14/2012, 12:16 PM

i have always turn off my skimmers when i clean the cup and prefer to do it that way. although i never had any problems with any of them, it seems like the Red Dragon is more finicky which is why i want to make sure since i usually clean the cup once every 2 days.

i was reading something about the bypass yesterday and i think all it does is bring water inside to the impeller assembly to cool it to preven calcium precipitation since calcium precipitates on warmer surfaces. i guess the output where it is attached to is venturi driven where the water flowing out of the pump also sucks water through the impeller compartment.

as for the white volute, the v2 160 version never got a white volute. i think for the 160, they were able to raise the air draw from 400 to 600 lph just by improving the impeller and venturi without having to go to a bigger white volute.

Jeremy B. · 06/15/2012, 10:52 AM

The Mini's are starting to change over to an anti-calcium loop as well now, just like the Delux counterparts, that's the red tube you see going to the back of the motorblock.

In my opinion there is no need to ever turn the pump off when cleaning the cup unless you have an external skimmer and there is a chance of it overflowing. I always leave the pump on unless I'm pulling it out to clean it completely.

flipteg · 06/15/2012, 01:35 PM

so you just let it overflow without the cup or do you adjust the wedge pipe.

in any case, i still wanna know if it is bad for the pump to have it turn off and on regularly for cup cleaning.

flipteg · 06/15/2012, 02:03 PM

the Mini 160 in my tank with about 12 hours worth of skimming in the cup. the foammate consistency with this skimmer is very different from what i'm used to seeing with the other skimmers i have used in the past.

flipteg · 06/15/2012, 02:55 PM

i noticed the Red Dragon has a directional volute. what prevents the pin wheel from spinning in the wrong direction?

edit: Jeremy just answered my question. the pump block and impeller is designed to start up and spin in the correct direction every time.

Jeremy B. · 06/15/2012, 03:17 PM

Note - The "Maximum Water Level" that is scribed onto the body of the skimmer is way off in my opinion. I"d suggest running the water level right at the seam where the cup meets the body, slightly higher than where you have it now.

flipteg · 06/15/2012, 03:26 PM

yes, i knew about the limit line. i wasn't trying to follow it but i am using bio pellets and it seems to make the foammate very foamy. when i tried to go past above the line limit, all i get is water. as low as i have it now, the skimmate is still a bit clear. but i think it might still be breaking in so i will see how it goes.

06/13/2012, 05:30 PM	#1214
flipteg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 910	i got my Mini 160 today! this thing is quite a bit bigger than what i was expecting from seeing it in the pictures. because of this, i considered getting the 180 instead for my 57 gallon tank. Jeremy convinced me otherwise over the phone. seeing the skimmer in person, i can now appreciate where he is coming from. the term "mini" is a bit of a misnomer here. compared to what it's replacing. a SeaSide Aquatics CS1. it is practically the same as the Bubble Magus NAC7 but the CS1 has a Sicce PSK600 pump instead of an Atman. i thought the CS1 was huge when i first got it. Last edited by flipteg; 06/13/2012 at 05:53 PM.

06/13/2012, 05:54 PM	#1215
shaggss Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,709	yep I have to 160 too. GREAT skimmer. Never had a problem with mine and been going strong almost two years. Quality is second to none. I have mine on a 50G and it pulls some really good stuff out. Enjoy! __________________ NEVER get eye level with an infants anus! New build, planning stages. 30 x 20 x 20", Geisemann Spectra 250W with Radium, Profilux controller, Profilux doser 2, Fluval SP4 return pump, Life Reef 28

06/15/2012, 02:55 PM	#1223
flipteg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 910	i noticed the Red Dragon has a directional volute. what prevents the pin wheel from spinning in the wrong direction? edit: Jeremy just answered my question. the pump block and impeller is designed to start up and spin in the correct direction every time. Last edited by flipteg; 06/15/2012 at 03:09 PM.

05/29/2012, 04:29 PM	#1201
Surferboy1500 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 8	Bought a Supermarine 200 at the end of March. I've had some serious problems with it. It is sitting in 9 inches of water, but I cannot get it to not overflow even with the exit valve completely open (by adjusting the pipe riser), which causes it to send out tons of microbubbles out with water. It will overflow within a minute and I have to turn it off. In order to make it even usable, I ended up taking the small pipe that I assume recirculates air on the pump off so that and plugging it (the red stiff airline hose). Even without this recirculating, I'm still barely able to get it to skim without overflowing, and have to remove an entire cup everyday. Its not skimmate as much as slightly murky water. Any ideas anyone?

05/30/2012, 07:40 AM	#1202
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	- Is this a new system? - Have you added any type of additives or medications? - Have you used any frag glue or epoxy recently?

05/30/2012, 09:16 AM	#1204
sreefs Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pa Posts: 754	I had the same issue, and changed the water depth to 8 inches after a day or two it settled down (working great since). Also take several gallons of over flow water out, let it drain from the skimmer cup to a large bucket.. Replace with fresh salt water. HTH

05/30/2012, 09:17 AM	#1205
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	What were told the ideal spot was for the venturi? If it's too far closed the skimmer would overflow and spew bubbles most likely. I also agree that going to 8" would help.

05/30/2012, 10:49 AM	#1206
Surferboy1500 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 8	How can I raise the skimmer/pump? Any easy ideas?

05/30/2012, 10:54 AM	#1207
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	Use a few pieces of egg crate stacked on top of each other, a salt bucket lid, or anything else that you can come up with.

05/30/2012, 11:30 AM	#1208
Surferboy1500 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 8	I thought about eggcrate but the skimmer and pump have those little rubber pegs to keep it quiet. they wouldn't work on the eggcrate.

05/30/2012, 12:48 PM	#1209
sreefs Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pa Posts: 754	Get a piece of plexiglass from Lowes, and put his on top of the eggcrate!

05/30/2012, 01:07 PM	#1210
bayoupr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,308	Get apiece of PVC sheet cut to the footprint of your skimmer including pump, go to HD or Lowes and buy nylon bolts and nuts the length that you need to raise it. Drill a hole in all four corners and install the bolts and you now have a table to raise the skimmer. This way you keep flow passing under the tray and don't get a build up of detrimus in the sump

06/11/2012, 05:48 PM	#1212
flipteg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 910	would you all recommend shutting the pump off when cleaning the cup. i usually shut the pumps off on my skimmer but i'm not sure if doing that every 2 days to clean the cup will reduce the life of the RD pump.

06/11/2012, 06:00 PM	#1213
sreefs Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pa Posts: 754	I mark where the sweet spot is on the pipe and them turn it so it is wide open, wait for the head to drop and take off the cup. Clean the cup and neck then put cup back on and then turn the pipe back to the sweet spot. HTH

06/13/2012, 07:39 PM	#1216
flipteg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 910	what is that red tube that sticks out from the back of the pump and connects to the pump's output?

06/14/2012, 12:16 PM	#1219
flipteg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 910	i have always turn off my skimmers when i clean the cup and prefer to do it that way. although i never had any problems with any of them, it seems like the Red Dragon is more finicky which is why i want to make sure since i usually clean the cup once every 2 days. i was reading something about the bypass yesterday and i think all it does is bring water inside to the impeller assembly to cool it to preven calcium precipitation since calcium precipitates on warmer surfaces. i guess the output where it is attached to is venturi driven where the water flowing out of the pump also sucks water through the impeller compartment. as for the white volute, the v2 160 version never got a white volute. i think for the 160, they were able to raise the air draw from 400 to 600 lph just by improving the impeller and venturi without having to go to a bigger white volute.

06/15/2012, 10:52 AM	#1220
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	The Mini's are starting to change over to an anti-calcium loop as well now, just like the Delux counterparts, that's the red tube you see going to the back of the motorblock. In my opinion there is no need to ever turn the pump off when cleaning the cup unless you have an external skimmer and there is a chance of it overflowing. I always leave the pump on unless I'm pulling it out to clean it completely.

06/15/2012, 01:35 PM	#1221
flipteg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 910	so you just let it overflow without the cup or do you adjust the wedge pipe. in any case, i still wanna know if it is bad for the pump to have it turn off and on regularly for cup cleaning.

06/15/2012, 02:03 PM	#1222
flipteg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 910	the Mini 160 in my tank with about 12 hours worth of skimming in the cup. the foammate consistency with this skimmer is very different from what i'm used to seeing with the other skimmers i have used in the past.

06/15/2012, 03:17 PM	#1224
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	Note - The "Maximum Water Level" that is scribed onto the body of the skimmer is way off in my opinion. I"d suggest running the water level right at the seam where the cup meets the body, slightly higher than where you have it now.

06/15/2012, 03:26 PM	#1225
flipteg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 910	yes, i knew about the limit line. i wasn't trying to follow it but i am using bio pellets and it seems to make the foammate very foamy. when i tried to go past above the line limit, all i get is water. as low as i have it now, the skimmate is still a bit clear. but i think it might still be breaking in so i will see how it goes.