ATI Bubble Master Skimmer? - Page 3

cobbobby · 11/03/2009, 07:47 PM

You should run the skimmer with a pw so that doesn't happen again. this will give you no start up problems and nearly the same air pull anyhow.

flameangel88 · 11/03/2009, 08:03 PM

Thanks for the quick replies and info. Does anyone know when I can get the pump with pw cheap or alternative pump that's very good that I can use for future upgrade if I spend $150 today?

Thanks!

chads120 · 11/07/2009, 05:26 PM

I upgraded to the purple pin wheels for my BM 250. No start up issues. TONS of small bubbles. I recommend you do the same!

If you look on rc for a used psk 2500 they are about $75. With mesh. The ppw is $30.

flameangel88 · 11/09/2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobbobby

You should run the skimmer with a pw so that doesn't happen again. this will give you no start up problems and nearly the same air pull anyhow.

cobbobby,

I wasn't able to send PM to you so hopefully you'll see this.

I got the new pump in and the old one back from the lfs. The lfs told me there's nothing holding the mesh down and that's the reason the pump is not pushing water out. I took the new nw and inserted into the old pump and it's working. I got the plastic epoxy to glue the rubber damper to the pump and waiting for it to dry before putting it back into the tank.

Here are the pictures and hopefully someone can tell me what should be there to hold the mesh down. Anyway, I'm going to get a extra nw for the future if I ever get a skimmer kit and I'll have the pump (spare for now). Which one is better the purple nw or the Red Dragon nw?

nothing is holding the mesh to the rod therefore the mesh is not spinning

Thanks again for all the help!

Kevin

Arati · 11/09/2009, 08:08 PM

Im still runing my Gen1 BM200 with the original pump and skimwheel. No Problems. It still cranks.

chads120 · 11/09/2009, 09:32 PM

They use small zip ties to hold it one the plate.

chads120 · 11/09/2009, 09:38 PM

Thread the zip tie through two holes and into the mesh. DFo the same with the other side. 4 holes= 2 zip ties. Make sure to put the end of the zip tie on the mesh side of the wheel. Easy to do, no worries! It will work great.

I've read that the two are almost the same as far as performance, with the red dragon slightly better. If you get the ppw make sure you get the large one. I have the ppw on mine and it works great.

flameangel88 · 11/09/2009, 10:12 PM

Got it and thanks for the reply & info.

flameangel88 · 11/09/2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chads120

Thread the zip tie through two holes and into the mesh. DFo the same with the other side. 4 holes= 2 zip ties. Make sure to put the end of the zip tie on the mesh side of the wheel. Easy to do, no worries! It will work great.

I've read that the two are almost the same as far as performance, with the red dragon slightly better. If you get the ppw make sure you get the large one. I have the ppw on mine and it works great.

Just finished with 2 small zip ties and it ran for few second fine then a loud vibration sound. The flow slowed dramatically and back to before with loud noise.

Please bear with me as I don't play with pumps often. I think the yellow mesh plate is messed up so how do I get it off the magnet? Does a new pw comes installed on a new magnet or I need to install it on the old magnet?

Thanks!

stonecold · 11/10/2009, 11:27 AM

I'm about to p/u a used ATI 250, please advise as to where the water level should be set in order to achieve the best performance.

Thank you.

bag151 · 11/10/2009, 04:14 PM

I received one of the first BM300's and ran it for a year on my 400gal system. It did pull a good amount of skim, but in the end I couldn't stand the restart problems with the Sicce pumps. Just be aware of the issues, even after trimming them down you still will run into problems as more threads work their way out of the mesh. I shut down my skimmer every time I feed and I just got sick of blowing into the pumps to get them to restart. Also be very aware of your water height, if it fluctuates at all you will have problems with a stable bubble column. Talk to Greg over at ReefGeek and he will give you some good advice on getting setup. I ended up switching to the Bubble King Supermarin 250 and it was the best decision I ever made, vastly superior skimmer, but then again it is almost 2k in price and not everyone can justify the cost.

gigiba · 11/10/2009, 07:20 PM

I have a BM250 for 2 years now and it has been running great. I am always looking to improve my reef toys and I was looking at the BK SM250 and wondering how much to replace the pump if it died and out of warranty?

bag151 · 11/12/2009, 08:05 PM

$850, Red Dragon pumps are the best in trade and you pay for it. I don't foresee replacing my RD pumps anytime soon that's for sure. They run like a dream.

flameangel88 · 11/12/2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigiba

I have a BM250 for 2 years now and it has been running great. I am always looking to improve my reef toys and I was looking at the BK SM250 and wondering how much to replace the pump if it died and out of warranty?

I just paid $125 plus $10 shipping for one PSK2500 Sicce pump with pw and you're looking at $250 for 2 pumps.

chads120 · 11/16/2009, 07:30 PM

The pin wheels do not come with the magnet. Just the wheel, you pop the old one off and install the new one. There is a plastic key ring on the impeller side that you take off.

chads120 · 11/16/2009, 07:32 PM

I am also curious about the water level that you guys have your skimmers in. I have mine in 8" of water, but have been told that a lower level will increase the air draw.

flameangel88 · 11/16/2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chads120

The pin wheels do not come with the magnet. Just the wheel, you pop the old one off and install the new one. There is a plastic key ring on the impeller side that you take off.

Thanks for the info.

Quote:

I am also curious about the water level that you guys have your skimmers in. I have mine in 8" of water, but have been told that a lower level will increase the air draw.

I've read various replies stating 7" being the ideal setting. I somehow mis-calculated on the build-stand for in-tank use and ended up with only 6" but it was pull great till the mesh went. The new pump with the pw is definitely not pulling even 1/3 of what it used to with the mesh. I don't know if there's a break-in period for the pump but the new pump been running for a week now.

I'm going to look for another pw for the old pump. Any suggestions on which is the best one out there?

chads120 · 11/16/2009, 08:50 PM

I think there is a break in period but don't know how long. Did you get a large purple pinwheel?

flameangel88 · 11/16/2009, 09:02 PM

No, still finalizing to see which is the best one I can buy where I don't want to have to do this again.

So far from all the reading the purple wheel is up there.

brasa · 11/16/2009, 09:22 PM

How's the atb 840 skimmer works on 180 gal tank dos anybody know's?

reefer96 · 11/16/2009, 10:39 PM

I just installed 2 Large Purple Pin Wheels on my ATI BM 250, and I have to say that I should of done this a long time ago. Each pump is hooked up to its own Air Meter and each pump is hovering at 38-40 SCFH, in a depth of 7.5 inches of water. I've been running Meshwheels for 1.5 years

flameangel88 · 11/16/2009, 10:59 PM

Purple pw it is.

chads120 · 11/17/2009, 12:32 AM

I think you will be happy with the ppw. Much better than the stock pin wheel. Plus you don't have to worry about start up issues. I shut my pumps off every day after feeding for two hours and they start up every time.

rkaires · 11/17/2009, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brasa

How's the atb 840 skimmer works on 180 gal tank dos anybody know's?

It may be better to ask in the ATB forum.

11/09/2009, 08:08 PM	#55
Arati Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LI,NY Posts: 670	Im still runing my Gen1 BM200 with the original pump and skimwheel. No Problems. It still cranks. __________________ I wasn't planning on keeping the turtle until it could pull me around under water. ~RV7AFlyer Current Tank Info: 150 ish gallons of Reef

11/10/2009, 04:14 PM	#61
bag151 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 226	I received one of the first BM300's and ran it for a year on my 400gal system. It did pull a good amount of skim, but in the end I couldn't stand the restart problems with the Sicce pumps. Just be aware of the issues, even after trimming them down you still will run into problems as more threads work their way out of the mesh. I shut down my skimmer every time I feed and I just got sick of blowing into the pumps to get them to restart. Also be very aware of your water height, if it fluctuates at all you will have problems with a stable bubble column. Talk to Greg over at ReefGeek and he will give you some good advice on getting setup. I ended up switching to the Bubble King Supermarin 250 and it was the best decision I ever made, vastly superior skimmer, but then again it is almost 2k in price and not everyone can justify the cost. __________________ -Brett Current Tank Info: 336g Penninsula Reef Tank

11/12/2009, 08:05 PM	#63
bag151 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 226	$850, Red Dragon pumps are the best in trade and you pay for it. I don't foresee replacing my RD pumps anytime soon that's for sure. They run like a dream. __________________ -Brett Current Tank Info: 336g Penninsula Reef Tank

11/03/2009, 07:47 PM	#51
cobbobby Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: At a Tea Party Posts: 414	You should run the skimmer with a pw so that doesn't happen again. this will give you no start up problems and nearly the same air pull anyhow.

11/03/2009, 08:03 PM	#52
flameangel88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,829	Thanks for the quick replies and info. Does anyone know when I can get the pump with pw cheap or alternative pump that's very good that I can use for future upgrade if I spend $150 today? Thanks!

11/07/2009, 05:26 PM	#53
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 141	I upgraded to the purple pin wheels for my BM 250. No start up issues. TONS of small bubbles. I recommend you do the same! If you look on rc for a used psk 2500 they are about $75. With mesh. The ppw is $30.

11/09/2009, 09:32 PM	#56
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 141	They use small zip ties to hold it one the plate.

11/09/2009, 09:38 PM	#57
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 141	Thread the zip tie through two holes and into the mesh. DFo the same with the other side. 4 holes= 2 zip ties. Make sure to put the end of the zip tie on the mesh side of the wheel. Easy to do, no worries! It will work great. I've read that the two are almost the same as far as performance, with the red dragon slightly better. If you get the ppw make sure you get the large one. I have the ppw on mine and it works great.

11/09/2009, 10:12 PM	#58
flameangel88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,829	Got it and thanks for the reply & info.

11/10/2009, 11:27 AM	#60
stonecold Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ashburn, VA Posts: 317	I'm about to p/u a used ATI 250, please advise as to where the water level should be set in order to achieve the best performance. Thank you.

11/10/2009, 07:20 PM	#62
gigiba Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 264	I have a BM250 for 2 years now and it has been running great. I am always looking to improve my reef toys and I was looking at the BK SM250 and wondering how much to replace the pump if it died and out of warranty?

11/16/2009, 07:30 PM	#65
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 141	The pin wheels do not come with the magnet. Just the wheel, you pop the old one off and install the new one. There is a plastic key ring on the impeller side that you take off.

11/16/2009, 07:32 PM	#66
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 141	I am also curious about the water level that you guys have your skimmers in. I have mine in 8" of water, but have been told that a lower level will increase the air draw.

11/16/2009, 08:50 PM	#68
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 141	I think there is a break in period but don't know how long. Did you get a large purple pinwheel?

11/16/2009, 09:02 PM	#69
flameangel88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,829	No, still finalizing to see which is the best one I can buy where I don't want to have to do this again. So far from all the reading the purple wheel is up there.

11/16/2009, 09:22 PM	#70
brasa Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: new jersey Posts: 3	How's the atb 840 skimmer works on 180 gal tank dos anybody know's?

11/16/2009, 10:39 PM	#71
reefer96 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: lake st louis Posts: 486	I just installed 2 Large Purple Pin Wheels on my ATI BM 250, and I have to say that I should of done this a long time ago. Each pump is hooked up to its own Air Meter and each pump is hovering at 38-40 SCFH, in a depth of 7.5 inches of water. I've been running Meshwheels for 1.5 years

11/16/2009, 10:59 PM	#72
flameangel88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,829	Purple pw it is.

11/17/2009, 12:32 AM	#73
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 141	I think you will be happy with the ppw. Much better than the stock pin wheel. Plus you don't have to worry about start up issues. I shut my pumps off every day after feeding for two hours and they start up every time.