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View Full Version : Which BK skimmer fits my needs?


mr_alberta
01-23-2008, 03:45 PM
I'm looking at a Bubble King for an insump application for my next tank. I don't have a whole lot of room in the sump for a large footprint so I'd say something 10" wide would be the max (though it can be long). Preferably I'd like to keep it in sump for ease of plumbing, fear of flooding, etc. As for height, I think 36" is the max I could get away with.

The total water volume of the tank is ~130-140ish gallons. It'll be a BB, Zeovit system and I plan on having a slightly high bioload (10-14 fish) LPS dominated reef tank.

So, which BK skimmer is for me? Thanks for all the help!

Reef_Craze
01-23-2008, 06:36 PM
what fish are you planning to keep? if they are medium to large fish, go with a skimmer rated for twice your water volume the 200, or the 250 if they are larger fish.(From my experience I would never keep more than 6-7 fish in a tank that size. unless they are like perc clowns.) With that many fish you would struggle to keep nitrates down and your corals would ultimately suffer. what lighting are you planning to use?

Phanman
01-23-2008, 06:53 PM
isnt getting a skimmer rated for twice your water volume a bad idea? I heard it doesnt skim as well...

mr_alberta
01-23-2008, 06:57 PM
I know back a few years ago, the rule of thumb was to take a vendor's skimmer rating and cut it in half, but I'm not sure if this is still the case.

As for lighting and fish, I'm planning mainly small fish with maybe 2 or 3 larger ones thrown in for variation. Small fish including percs, wrasses, hogfish, etc. Nothing over 3.5" - 4" range. For lighting I have a 6 bulb Tek light fixture.

Reef_Craze
01-24-2008, 12:54 AM
well royal exclusive is pretty good about their skimmer ratings so i would probably go with the two hundred. I guess im old fashioned but I use a 250 on my 225 gallon when it is rated for tanks up to 450 gallons and my tank has never looked better. :) The bigger the skimmer the better.

albert_dao
01-24-2008, 01:12 AM
If you size if bigger than rated, the BK will NOT SKIM.

Follow suggested recommendations on BK skimmers.

In your case, a BK Mini 180 should be just about right.

Lemme know if you want one shipped :)

VFX
01-24-2008, 01:20 AM
If you size if bigger than rated, the BK will NOT SKIM.

Follow suggested recommendations on BK skimmers.

In your case, a BK Mini 180 should be just about right.

Lemme know if you want one shipped :)

Hi Albert,

I'm curious as to why a BK wont skim if you use one on a smaller than rated tank.

I've always used skimmers that were rated at least 50-100% more than what I need & had good results (Tunze, Aquamedic, Via Aqua & Deltec)

I'm planning on a BK Mini 200 for my new 120-150 gallon reef so I'm interested...

(Yeah Sorry for the hijack Harv!)

.

michika
01-24-2008, 01:49 AM
I'm curious too...

Sorry for hijacking your thread Harv.

marie
01-24-2008, 02:40 AM
I'm really curious as well. I can't figure out how a skimmer knows it is in a tank that is too small. I would of thought it would skim all the nasties out of the water and then stop skimming until more nutrients are produced

albert_dao
01-24-2008, 03:19 AM
It's because wide necked skimmers require minimum bioloads to sustain a stable foam head.

mr_alberta
01-24-2008, 05:03 AM
No need to appologize, these are great questions and comments.

Albert, can you pm me a price for a BK180? Thanks.

I'm curious too...

Sorry for hijacking your thread Harv.

VFX
01-24-2008, 05:04 AM
It's because wide necked skimmers require minimum bioloads to sustain a stable foam head.

Simple!

Thanks Albert.

.

Skimmerking
01-24-2008, 05:16 PM
Harvey if you are thinking of a skimmer. I have a ATI BM250 and i love it 10" chamber short and fat neck along with a huge collection cup. I will never buy another skimmer this thing rocks like no tomorrow. its alot cheaper then a BK and with a dual custom mesh mod on the sicci pumps and super quite I some times have to look in to see if the skimmer is working. Is rated for 500 gallons. and it pulled amazing crap out of the tank.

mr_alberta
01-24-2008, 05:34 PM
Well the BK and the BM250 are pretty close in price. A BM250 locally is $1000 and the BK mini 180 is $1000.

albert_dao
01-24-2008, 05:49 PM
Only problem with the BM250 is you'll have almost zero customer support after acquiring it. I use to sell them. I've now dropped ATI altogether. Something about a manufacturer that doesn't answer their emails when $600+ equipment doesn't work properly...

albert_dao
01-24-2008, 05:50 PM
No need to appologize, these are great questions and comments.

Albert, can you pm me a price for a BK180? Thanks.

$1030.00

mr_alberta
01-24-2008, 05:53 PM
$1030.00

Is that the shipped price or the in-store price?

albert_dao
01-24-2008, 06:14 PM
In-store. I'll have to call tomorrow for a shipped price.