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View Full Version : the unofficial bubble magus curve 9 review


lockrookie
08-01-2012, 06:26 AM
so here it is i just received the bubble magus curve 9 skimmer. now i had tried to ask the distributor questions about this skimmer and the best reply was..if you want answers to your questions..review the skimmer. i really dont want to get into the whole conversation. lets just say whatever the outcome this review will be more than honest. and i will try to document every detail through its life of my ownership. or its death.


When i picked up the skimmer from Pats pets today, (thanks again pat), my first inpression of the box was ..hoooooleeeee *sensored*thats a huge box.. then my second thought was did i make a mistake will it fit.... we will get to the last thought in a bit..

first here are some pictures of the unpacking process all in all it was packed very well.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6693.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6694.jpg


i took all the pieces out and assembled the skimmer a few things i noticed that im leary about is how the skimmer cup connects to the body. it really doesn't seat easily but im sure after a year or so it may losen up a bit. the hose from the air diffuser to the pump is a bit short but they do have a second hose if you want to re position the pump 90 degrees. now this is a nice feature if you want to re position your pump. but they put a cheazy plug in its spot that could accidently get bumped off; and possibly cause the skimmer to fail.. i will have to modify this at the end of the initial review. i will have to use the second longer hose to ensure the hose doesn't pull itself off. will it actually slide off .. unsure but im not willing to take that chance.

here are pics of all parts while i set it together:

base plate:
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6698.jpg

pump and pump apart
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6699.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6700.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6702.jpg

diffuser plate
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6703.jpg

body and completed
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6707.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6709.jpg

flow adjustment an air diffuser
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6712.jpg

continued...

lockrookie
08-01-2012, 06:27 AM
top down view
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6711.jpg

lid
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6710.jpg

so thats all the bits and pieces next post i make is a bit disheartening but fixable.

lockrookie
08-01-2012, 06:48 AM
i then tested the fit for the skimmer knowing i have to adjust the shelf inside the sump for the recommended water level and dagnabbit the fear came alive the skimmer body is 9" and a stupid cross beam on my stand is in the way and only gives me 8" of clearance so i cant even get the skimmer into the sump at this time. regretfully it will be a few days before i can fire this thing up i have to make all the adjustments to that cross brace and the sump skimmer shelf, by re routing teh water flow and draining skimmer compartment i doubt i will have time to work on it until the weekend. but i am confident once i shave the cross beam i will be good to go and the review will commence.

Bblinks
08-01-2012, 07:03 PM
Nicely done on the review so far, too bad you can put it in the sump yet.

Skimmerking
08-02-2012, 02:38 AM
Jeff you were talking about the skimmer cup being hard to seal and it should take about a year to break in. I know that it was a smart ass remark. however its its a really snug fit that isnt good. this is how parts snap and break.
what type of pump is this on the skimmer?

with this curve is it really going to make a difference ?

what is the stand pipe is it hard to move or is it like the bubble magus CS 220 where you would move it and it would turn back wasn't a good feature on the BM 220.

Jeff try hooking it up in a Rubbermaid container and and running vinegar you will get a feel of how the skimmer will work to a point.

with the skimmer going in vinegar at least u can give a somewhat honest view of how the pump and water level can stay consistent of not and run it in several levels of water to see if its accurate or not.

HTH

lockrookie
08-02-2012, 02:59 AM
thank you i want to be a detailed as possible.. i have to upload a couple more pics of this plug they use for the secondary pump loacation not exactly sure how this would benifit someone to begin with but options are options.. ive just never personally heard with all theresearch ive been doing on skimmers having a secondary hole.. if anyone has please chime in i'd like to know how it works for you.

as for the set back well..lol.. no matter how you plan how you think something will always get in your way... inlife... this hobby.. or the granny who cant see over the dashboard in front of you.. ive always believed if there is a will there is a way. my only concern is banging on a chisel under the umteen pounds of tank water i have to find a bit for my trusty dremel i think if i take out a 2" notch from the cross beam it will all be good. the biggest challenge is a cant make too much noise when the babies are sleeping and since they are walking now i definately cant do it while they are awake..challenges lol

more pics to come shortly

lockrookie
08-02-2012, 03:12 AM
Jeff you were talking about the skimmer cup being hard to seal and it should take about a year to break in. I know that it was a smart ass remark. however its its a really snug fit that isnt good. this is how parts snap and break.
what type of pump is this on the skimmer?

with this curve is it really going to make a difference ?

what is the stand pipe is it hard to move or is it like the bubble magus CS 220 where you would move it and it would turn back wasn't a good feature on the BM 220.

Jeff try hooking it up in a Rubbermaid container and and running vinegar you will get a feel of how the skimmer will work to a point.

with the skimmer going in vinegar at least u can give a somewhat honest view of how the pump and water level can stay consistent of not and run it in several levels of water to see if its accurate or not.

HTH

i will check out your questions bud and pick up a container tomorrow to test out all that you asked ..your questions are a few that i asked the distributor and never got the answers to. so hopefully we can find the answers to yours and my questions. i will tell you it has a year waranty lol.. lets keep moving forward and review

sphelps
08-02-2012, 03:31 AM
The second hole should just allow for an alternate pump orientation, although more common on external pump skimmers like BK-SM-200&250, it allows a little more clearance one way or the other.

lockrookie
08-02-2012, 03:47 AM
The second hole should just allow for an alternate pump orientation, although more common on external pump skimmers like BK-SM-200&250, it allows a little more clearance one way or the other.

im sure the idea is as you say alternate orientation. my only concern really is the cheasy plug for the hole. there are better ways to seal a second hole position. i have to take thepics and post themright away here so you can see what i mean.. now i can be overly picky but there are automotive hole plugs made of plastic/rubber that would seal it better and not chance it popping out.

lockrookie
08-02-2012, 04:29 AM
ok so here are the pics of the plug. it may work fine we will see. i just personally feel the need to glue it in place.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6713.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6715.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6714.jpg

and skimmer king these are the blowup diagrams of the skimmer.. it seems they have o rings on the outlet tube to add friction in order to stop it from moving on its own.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6720.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6722.jpg

lockrookie
08-02-2012, 06:24 AM
i was sitting here and reading over what i have written thus far and also wanted to mention the body is seamless and all in all the skimmer looks to be a mean crap sucking machine. im really crossing my fingers for its performance.

lockrookie
08-03-2012, 09:01 AM
due to a slight case of insomnia and mere determination the skimmer is in the sump. not easily mind you. i will say that the fact that the skimmer comes apart into so many pieces was slighlty helpful but i do forsee doing most my maintenance to the skimmer in sump rather than taking it out and apart... maybe once a year task a full cleaning..if i drink enough first



here is a video of the start up. the pump isnt too quiet .. i rate it a touch quieter than my 1n-180 with a rusted blistered impeller. i was hoping it would be a bit more silent than it is. it is what it is



click picture for video



http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/th_102_6726.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/?action=view&current=102_6726.mp4)



now i know i should have done a vineger bath before runing this thing, and im sorry mike i wa sgoing t just didnt have time to go pickup a rubbermaid container but i was so thrilled to actually get it in the sump after 20 min of manipulation that i decided tod eal with it. cause shortly afteri stoppedthe vid it decded to puke fom and i couldnt get it to stop until i restrictd thinletto the pump.. will see what happensinthenxtcouplef day

Skimmerking
08-03-2012, 11:04 AM
Jeff question for ya ok with regards to the sump how big is it? Are u able to take thebsump out and make a drawer that u can pull out? This would allow u to get at the skimmer easier and faster along with monthly cleaning

lockrookie
08-03-2012, 01:19 PM
Jeff question for ya ok with regards to the sump how big is it? Are u able to take thebsump out and make a drawer that u can pull out? This would allow u to get at the skimmer easier and faster along with monthly cleaning

regretfully no i cannot make a drawer for the sump great idea tho. the skimmer is in there and can be removed its just not a quick process. my main concern is tryng to get it to calm down and settle in. i think its going crazy due to my oldskimmer reall wasnt working well and my tank is essentially full of crap atm. big water change tonight already started mixing water last night.

Aqua-Digital
08-03-2012, 03:51 PM
The seond hole is for an upgrade option to a Sicce pump should you ever wish to, with us now distributing Sicce to go with the new CSC range of skimmers this was a natural choice.

sphelps
08-03-2012, 04:15 PM
My BKSM250 has a similar style plug, never popped off or caused any issues so I wouldn't be concerned. I wonder if the pump noise is due to everything being pretty rigid, nothing to absorb vibration from pump to skimmer connections. Might be worth investigating a dampener between the installation board and skimmer base. I guess worst case as well there is a pump upgrade which I assume is quieter.

lockrookie
08-03-2012, 04:31 PM
The seond hole is for an upgrade option to a Sicce pump should you ever wish to, with us now distributing Sicce to go with the new CSC range of skimmers this was a natural choice.

i would like to point out to you there is no mention of the in the bad english instructions and do not want ppl reading the review to think this is the case. it states the reason for the second hole is i quote "Tapered plug, aslo can change inlet position of pump via circumgyrate body if necessary" it does not mention anything about this being used only fro sicce pump upgrades. although that was one of the questions i had asked you before purchase about replacement parts which was not answered until now ..thanks i think. ps i thought you where going to cntact me when the skimmers arrived..oh well back to my review.

i also wish to mention the instructions as well as the website recoment 9 to 11 inches for the skimmer to sit in the water or 25 to 27 cm from the sheet. i found this morning at about 5 am with lots of frustration that infact raising it to 7 to 8" its no longer spewing bubbles everywhere and im starting to get a wet light green liquid. i think i have to raise it up just a touch more inorder to be able to tuneit to my liking

lockrookie
08-03-2012, 04:37 PM
My BKSM250 has a similar style plug, never popped off or caused any issues so I wouldn't be concerned. I wonder if the pump noise is due to everything being pretty rigid, nothing to absorb vibration from pump to skimmer connections. Might be worth investigating a dampener between the installation board and skimmer base. I guess worst case as well there is a pump upgrade which I assume is quieter.

it may still need that breaking in period who knows.. there really is no vibration causing the noise as such just the hum of the pump. i was concerned about this pump before i purchased it but there is no information on the web and no one really seemed to know much about it. just have to take it day by day and see how it goes.. as for the plug by the time i finally got the skimmer inthe sump even if the plugg wiggled a bit it wont go far lol thanks for the info tho.

sphelps
08-03-2012, 04:41 PM
To me pump hum would suggest vibration/rigid connection issues but I guess such things are hard to describe.

lockrookie
08-03-2012, 04:45 PM
you may be right i just dont feel alot of vibration my in-180 now that had vibration..hehe i spend to many long nights with my tank....

lockrookie
08-03-2012, 04:52 PM
i also wish to mention the instructions as well as the website recoment 9 to 11 inches for the skimmer to sit in the water or 25 to 27 cm from the sheet. i found this morning at about 5 am with lots of frustration that infact raising it to 7 to 8" its no longer spewing bubbles everywhere and im starting to get a wet light green liquid. i think i have to raise it up just a touch more inorder to be able to tuneit to my liking

adding to this i really cant go to much higher or general cup removal will be a challenge i may have to. not that i want to.. lower my water level in the sump...

lockrookie
08-05-2012, 04:26 AM
ok so i've finally got the curve 9 to settle in and im decently pleased... still have to tune it in to where im happy i tend to have my skimmers run some what dry. here is a pic after a days worth of skimming(in cup). i have to clean the neck already but thats from day one and numerous water levels..

also i have found the skimmer actually seems to work best in 8" ofwater rather than the recommended 9.5 to 11". my tank is looking cleaner and healthier already. RIP vertex in-180

pic of the skimmate after one day

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/180g%20tank/102_6729.jpg

toolmanbmw
09-11-2012, 06:46 AM
Great review. Now that you had it running for a while now... does the pump seems more quiet? I just received mine and put it all together... I find the pump to be pretty loud. I am going to be running it in 11" of water.... We will see how that goes.

lockrookie
09-11-2012, 07:19 AM
The pump is still loud and biggest downside to the skimmer other than that it seems to do a decent job of things but I will cation you running it at 11" I'm currently running mine in 8" of water but it may be best in 9" so my suggestion to you would be to...if you can add some egg crate or glass under the skimmer to raise it to at least 9" and you should be able to tune it from there. It will take a bit to settle In mine took forever. But once it settles in it will work well for you depending on the size of tank your running. I'm not sure I'd use it on anything over 250-300g


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