Does the Mini BK180 come with a skimmer drain?

[slief]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Obligatory tease shot:



My dream finally came true!!

Beauty and a beast!

I've been really happy with the Mini I have on my new tank! It performs every bit as well as the Supermarin on my big tank and infinitely better than the SCA and the AquaMaxx Co1 that it replaced. These are great little skimmers. You will really appreciate it once you get your tank up and stocked.

[Maximus]

Now, all I need is the self cleaning head! I'll be in touch when my tank comes in. You can count on it!

[scuzy]

Knew you couldn't stay away for long


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Maximus]

It's a disease and I do not have a cure for it!!

[Maximus]

Scott, what is the recommended water level for the skimmer? I am running it in a Synergy sump with an adjustable baffle so I can go anywhere from 6" to close to 10" on the water level. I plan on breaking it in now and will add skimmate from my nano tank.

I also noticed that when I go above the recommended water level, the cup leaks a bit. Is that normal?

[Maximus]

I couldn't wait so I put it in my sump, added a small cup of skimmate from my nano, and voila! Haha, where or what is this mythical process called break in?

[neiltus]

I love my 160, the coolest thing is once it's dialed in, it's dialed in. No need to jack with it daily.

[slief]

Originally Posted by Maximus

I couldn't wait so I put it in my sump, added a small cup of skimmate from my nano, and voila! Haha, where or what is this mythical process called break in?

LOL.. That's some nice looking foam!

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by neiltus

I love my 160, the coolest thing is once it's dialed in, it's dialed in. No need to jack with it daily.

I also wanted a set and forget skimmer so I went with the mini 180. I understand that the rd3 speedy is an awesome pump but I just wanted a skimmer that was simple to set up and not have too many options as I'd be driving myself crazy changing water level height and wattage on the pump. I also adore the Askoll based pump.

[scuzy]

Man I can't seem to get a foam like that on my bk200 mini. How do you get a dry foam like that? Do I have to lift mine up a bit.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[slief]

Originally Posted by scuzy

Man I can't seem to get a foam like that on my bk200 mini. How do you get a dry foam like that? Do I have to lift mine up a bit.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

If your wedge pipe is wide open, you may need to raise the skimmer if you have the standard Askoll based pump. A half in should make a major difference. Also, is your 200 one with the RD3? If so, what speed are you running the pump at?

[scuzy]

Rd3 at 35watts


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[slief]

Originally Posted by scuzy

Rd3 at 35watts


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

35 is a bit high. I would dial it back to 30 watts and try raising the level in the skimmer. The lower wattage will create more contact time and thicker slower moving foam. That said, if your load is really low for the skimmer and the skimmer is oversized for the display, you won't get as good of foam as you could be getting. Also remember that he added some skimmate to his sump so there is an abundance of dissolved organics in the water which is needed for good dense foam.

[scuzy]

200watts ? i thouht this thing only does 50watt?

i finally ordered a nice skimmer stand so will test it out by raising it a bit when it comes in.

[slief]

Originally Posted by scuzy

200watts ? i thouht this thing only does 50watt?

i finally ordered a nice skimmer stand so will test it out by raising it a bit when it comes in.

LOL! I meant 30 watts. Not sure how I typed 200. I went back up and edited my post to correct that so somebody else doesn't get confused. I also meant raising the water level inside the skimmer. Not raising the skimmer. When you slow the pump down, your water level will drop inside the skimmer. You will likely need to counter that by raising the line where bubbles turn to foam back up to the level line on the skimmer body. You can raise the level by rotating/closing the wedge pipe a bit.

[scuzy]

I could raise it but it just doesn't get that nice dry looking foam


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[slief]

Originally Posted by scuzy

I could raise it but it just doesn't get that nice dry looking foam


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Once you lower the pump speed, the foam will be more dense but the water level will drop in the body. Thus you will want to adjust the level again to compensate for the lower pump speed. You will want the line where bubbles turn to foam at the water level line of the skimmer body which is about an inch or less below the white PVC collar that the cup sits on. As I said above, 35 watts is a bit high IMO for that skimmer. Reducing the pump speed will increase contact time and also allow the bubbles to rise slower. They won't burst as fast in the neck and the end result should be more dense foam.

[scuzy]

Ok got it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk