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01/18/2009, 02:28 PM | #101 |
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Rouselb-
Would it be a safe assumption to say if the water level is around 7" I should screw the water intake in all the way if my skimmate is too wet? My sump was designed for a Deltec and haven't modified it yet. But I just can't seem to get a drier skimmate no matter how I adjust the air intake. |
01/20/2009, 04:13 PM | #102 |
Moved On
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Just got mine!!!!! 300 External....
Check it out! http://www.buckley1.com/iWeb/Site/Bubbleking%20300.html |
01/20/2009, 06:41 PM | #103 | |
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What water level height are you running yours at? My water line comes up to the line (essentially where the cone starts) Seems like you are running yours lower than the recommendations? Is this true?
My skim is definitely not that dark. Quote:
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01/20/2009, 07:06 PM | #104 |
reef addict
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How did you got that skimmer in there?
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01/20/2009, 07:27 PM | #105 |
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Also, I've noticed when I feed the tank, the water level inside the skimmer drops and quits skimming for awhile. This doesn't make any sense as I feed with a turkey baster, any ideas? Do I have the water level too high in the sump for the skimmer?
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01/21/2009, 12:05 AM | #106 |
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bmilleraz: I think your water level is too high. just my .02
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01/21/2009, 09:08 AM | #107 |
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I just raised the skimmer so the water level is now about 1" below the seam where the body meets the cone. Should I raise the skimmer up more. I'm still noticing that when I feed the water level inside the skimmer drops.
Also, how many turns should the red dragon pump be open? |
01/21/2009, 09:16 AM | #108 |
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bmilleraz==== I think the issue you are experiencing is normal. It happens to all my skimmers even if I have my hands in there. Something is changing the surface tension of the water. Cyclopeze and Mysis make my skimmer drop most of the time but not always. I also use Prodibio Reef Booster and it cuts skimming for almost half a day.
Just my experience. Food for thought. Kc3
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01/21/2009, 01:40 PM | #109 |
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the pump (ideally) should only be set to one round until the black dots line up. you can have it more or less depending on your preference.
as far as the water level, read what it says on your manual (what BK model you got??) you should usually follow the recommended water level height. you gotta play around with it to see where exactly you should have it, I played around with mines for quite some time, I actually just raised my water level yesterday about a 1/2" to see what it would do. Let you skimmer sit where it is now for a couple of days. then if it's still skimming we, raise it a little more (the skimmer not the water level)
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Elos 160xl | Profilux 3.1Nex ultimate | BK DC200 | (5)Mitras 6200s |(4) Vortech MP40QD | 3155 ATO | Schuran CaRx | Carbon-Doser | Red Dragon return | 500G Starphire FOWLR | BK SM200 | (6) Tunze 6105 |
01/21/2009, 03:11 PM | #110 |
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Is any one looking at leaving the BK club, in other words selling your BK? I am looking for a 300d or SM
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01/21/2009, 04:41 PM | #111 |
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Maybe someone can help me with my issue. I have a 200S.M. in about 7 inches of water. No matter where I adjust the pipe I can not get a dark, dry foam. I end up emptying the collection cup every three days but the skimmate looks like weak tea. The tank is less than four months old and I have a total of seven fish (6 anthias and one small wrasse) which I feed every day. I've even tried allowing more water into the skimmer and it still isn't very dark. What do you guys think?
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01/22/2009, 12:44 AM | #112 |
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so i recently purchased a used bk mini 180 from this site. I finally got it to a nice spot where i was getting some decent dry form but i just noticed tonight that when my ATO is on, the skimmer starts over (losing all fine bubbles and back to the waterline). My ATO dumps about .25 gallon into my sump (29gallon, 9 inches full of water). is this a common issue?
any help will be great! thanks, |
01/22/2009, 01:17 AM | #113 | |||
Super Saiyan
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Quote:
Quote:
In your case, seems like you may have the level too high that's why the wet skim. try lowering the water level with the pipe first, if that doesn't help try lowering the level of the sump water by 1/2" increments until you get a dry thick foam. hope this helps. From my understanding, cone skimmers (SM), have to have a lower water level than regular round skimmers. Quote:
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01/22/2009, 06:19 AM | #114 |
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jthao- my sump level is actually 2 inches lower(7") than what B.K. suggest. I've turned the pipe to just about every position with the same results. With my sump level @ seven inches you still think I should lower it? Thanks for your help
Clint |
01/22/2009, 06:52 AM | #115 |
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thank you guys for all your help. I raised the skimmer in my sump, so the water level is now about 1" to 1.5 inches below the seam where the body meets the cone (neck) on my BK 250 SM. Holy cow what a difference! It is skimming dry thick dark foam. I've never had a Nitrate problem in the past when this thing was running good, and then a few weeks back I had to go and tinker with the darn thing. Raised the water level in the sump and for the past few weeks it just hasn't been skimming properly and now I'm noticing elevated nitrate issues. Now I'm hoping since it's adjusted back to where it should be it will start lowering those levels.
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01/22/2009, 08:06 AM | #116 | |
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Quote:
Also check the pump intake for adjustment. Make sure its screwed all the way in and turned out 1 revolution. If all else fails i would lower the water .5 inches like jthao reccomended.
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If only common sense was common. Current Tank Info: 300 gal marineland deep |
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01/22/2009, 09:12 AM | #117 |
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Where would I find an air flow meter?
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01/22/2009, 09:31 AM | #118 |
Limestone Cowboy.
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I see them on ebay all the time. You can probably get it it cheaper there than from dwyer itself. I posted a link on prolines forum here.
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If only common sense was common. Current Tank Info: 300 gal marineland deep |
01/22/2009, 11:56 AM | #119 |
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Quick question- When I cover the air intake with my finger should the water in the skimmer rise or drop? Mine drops and I thought I remember reading where it should rise. Would this indicate a blockage?
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01/22/2009, 12:28 PM | #120 |
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It should rise mine does.
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01/22/2009, 12:46 PM | #121 |
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Okay so if mine doesn't I have either a bad pump or there is blockage?
Just to clarify I'm talking about the intake on the top of the riser tube. |
01/22/2009, 12:57 PM | #122 |
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yea as soon as you plug that intake the pump should start pulling all water instead of the mix and the level in the body should rise noticeably. If it doesn't then I'd definitely check the pump intake, where is that turned to ie all the way in 1 turn out...
How long have you been running this skimmer, is it possible it's just still breaking in?
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01/22/2009, 01:05 PM | #123 |
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When I plug it up the mix stops and it's just water however the level starts to lower. I'm positive the black dots line up but it wasn't quite one full turn. Should I start taking the skimmer apart?
The tank is fairly new and the skimmer has been running for over a month. Thanks for the help! Clint |
01/22/2009, 01:07 PM | #124 | |
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which skimmer? my 160 mini and 180 mini gen 2 - when i block the air intake the water level rises - in the 180 it rises real fast!!! this was right out of the box or later - break in is not a factor IME.
I have had skimmers in the past that did the opposite - that is why I asked which BK are we talking about. Quote:
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01/22/2009, 01:10 PM | #125 | |
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black dots? - must be other than a mini so ignore all my recent dribble
One thing I never did was try this and adjust the water level down, etc - it may make a difference - everytime I clean my skimmer - after I start it back up I put my figure over the intake to get it to get going faster - I want to walk away and know it is around where it needs to be. So my conclusions as to bubbles rising only applies to the water level being around where it is suppose to be not lower. Quote:
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