Bubble Magus Skimmers?, Help me decide Options

[sammy113]

Hi guys, I usually don't like to make new threads just to ask stuff but couldn't find much about this bubble magus skimmers. I'm in the process of re designing my sump. I actually have the basic cube done without baffles until I decide which skimmer am I gonna upgrade to. Found this and seems like good quality (at least on manufacturing) but still have my doubts. This are the prospects:

NAC7 Cone Skimmer $197





NAC6A $174





Marine Color (Also Conical) $ 181





And my other option is this ATI Bubble Master used for $200 Shipped


Any help will much appreciated

[schg]

I've heard nothing but good things about either company, and was going to go with a BM myself. I decided to go with the tunze for space reasons but will probably go with a magus on our next tank.

Be prepared to pay a ton for shipping though, they don't even ship to the US cheap.

[finksmart]

I had a BM160 on a 90g and it was a workhorse. Very well built.

[bluenassarius]

i was looking at the bubble magus nac7 for my next setup unless some better comes along the line. i'll probably go w/ that one.

[disaster999]

i would be all over the nac7 if i hadnt bought the nac6a already. the nac6a is a great skimmer as well. i think performance wise shouldnt lag much behind the NAC7. its just cylindrical design vs conical. if you dont care much for the conical, then the nac6a would be a good choice. and just to make you jealous, i paid $100 bucks for it new the nac7 is only slightly more expensive.

theres a aquabee version for the nac7 which is a beast of a pump and would produce more bubbles. should look into that as well...but the price is definitely gonna go up a lot more.

But then if you can get the ATI shipped for 200. that wouldnt be a bad choice as well as you know that thing WILL perform. not much chances you can get an ATI skimmer for that price.

This post has been edited by disaster999: Nov 2 2009, 08:12 PM

[sammy113]

Thanks for the review disaster! I know the NAC6A has a wider neck so should work slightly better. The cone is just cool cause is a cone lol. Where did you got that for $100? That ATI sound good, my only concern is that it has a crack (that was repaired) and supposed not to leak and works fine.

[schg]

Go with the BM, this guy has the smallest one (BM-QQ) on his 14g and has had success:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.p...nano&page=7

I think if you went with anything bigger than that you'd be happy.

[disaster999]

Thanks for the review disaster! I know the NAC6A has a wider neck so should work slightly better. The cone is just cool cause is a cone lol. Where did you got that for $100? That ATI sound good, my only concern is that it has a crack (that was repaired) and supposed not to leak and works fine.

look at my location and you know why =)

if i was in your shoes, im not really sure what i would choose. BM skimmers are known for its performances, good build and relatively low price. you wont be disappointed with it. sure there are other skimmers that performs better, but for the price you cant complain.

ATI on the other hand you know its a quality skimmer with good pumps and good design. for 200 bucks its really not a bad deal. but the crack is really a put off esp if it cracks again later on either during shipping or somewhere down the line.

[bluenassarius]

watch out for the bubblemasters they skim well but are very sensitive to sump water level. i had the bm200 and always had to tweak it to keep it skimming.

[sammy113]

forgot that disaster lol.

Thanks for the advice Nassarius. Thats an important thing to know. So far I think Bubble Magus is winning. I also prefer new stuff over used equipment. They also look very nice. Now the thing is the NAC6A or the NAC7? Cone or Cylinder?

I just found this wan wanted to share with you guys. I think is awesome

http://theprodigalcube.blogspot.com/2009/0...ne-skimmer.html

[lajz9]

Definitely a nice DIY...personally I'd rather spend the $ but then again I am a lazy a$$...

[sammy113]

yeah I know. I DIY 2 skimmers so far. They both work but I want something better. I'm not a lazy a$$ though but still want a nice skimmer lol

[disaster999]

i actually know the guy who did the DIY. hes a mod in my local forum. pretty handy dandy with DIY stuff. i thought about trying it out on a smaller scale, but then realized the time and money he spent making it, i could of just bought the bubble magus instead. haha

i honestly dont know if you should go with cone or cylinder. mojo over in RC (if you dont know who he is, he has done lots of testing and reviews on skimmers before) said the smooth transaction from a cone reduces the pressure inside the skimmer allowing the pump to pull more air creating more bubbles.

i guess if budget allows, wouldnt hurt to try it

[mrbigshot]

when the bm's first hit america with 110v pumps they were they rage. so cheap and they worked well, now the price has almost doubled due to shipping and the falling amerian dollar. there are a few places that sell bm in the us and they offer free shipping but its still a touch under $200. as long as the pumps are holing up now (first ones were problematic) they work well. a cone for $200 IS A STEAL. i would buy one and get a better pump for it. the bubble master will work very well, perhaps better than the bubble. for $200 it would be worth buying to just weld-on the crack. it will be stronger than new.

for me it would be between the cone and a better pump and the ati. all skimmers are sensitive to water level. thats why your fist chamber in you sump will be sectioned off to provide the correct water level.

[sammy113]

i actually know the guy who did the DIY. hes a mod in my local forum. pretty handy dandy with DIY stuff. i thought about trying it out on a smaller scale, but then realized the time and money he spent making it, i could of just bought the bubble magus instead. haha

i honestly dont know if you should go with cone or cylinder. mojo over in RC (if you dont know who he is, he has done lots of testing and reviews on skimmers before) said the smooth transaction from a cone reduces the pressure inside the skimmer allowing the pump to pull more air creating more bubbles.

i guess if budget allows, wouldnt hurt to try it

Cool! Thats what I first though... that the cone will allow better transaction than a cylinder with the reducer.
Thanks Again

when the bm's first hit america with 110v pumps they were they rage. so cheap and they worked well, now the price has almost doubled due to shipping and the falling amerian dollar. there are a few places that sell bm in the us and they offer free shipping but its still a touch under $200. as long as the pumps are holing up now (first ones were problematic) they work well. a cone for $200 IS A STEAL. i would buy one and get a better pump for it. the bubble master will work very well, perhaps better than the bubble. for $200 it would be worth buying to just weld-on the crack. it will be stronger than new.

for me it would be between the cone and a better pump and the ati. all skimmers are sensitive to water level. thats why your fist chamber in you sump will be sectioned off to provide the correct water level.

Thanks a lot for the input. I'm gonna have to think about it now space wise cause my sump is a little tight (15.5" x 14.5" x 14") and still need some extra space for fuge, pump and filter sock. Buying the cone skimmer and upgrading it with an aquabee pump would be awesome.

Now what works better, Mesh impeller or Pinwheel?

[mrbigshot]

mesh would work better if done properly, maintence becomes an issue with meshwheels as well as sometimes starting problems or pump wear. if you dont mind remeshing and dont mind getting your lips a little wet from blowing to start the skimmer i say meshmod all the way. if you do a half assed job they wont work as well as a good pinwheel.

idealy a pinwheel would be the best because it does not promote wear of the pump and will start everytime but its not as efficent as the meshwheel. a pinwheel is a long lasting alternative. some of the newer pinwheels work very very well (like the purple's). they achieve near mesh performance without the negatives. even a good meshjob may not work as well.


an octo extreme with a large purple pinwheel would be somthing worth looking at if you can get one. they work very well for the money. may be a little large, it depends on the sump. you may need around a 20l or larger sump for some of these skimmers to fit.

[bluenassarius]

mesh would work better if done properly, maintence becomes an issue with meshwheels as well as sometimes starting problems or pump wear. if you dont mind remeshing and dont mind getting your lips a little wet from blowing to start the skimmer i say meshmod all the way. if you do a half assed job they wont work as well as a good pinwheel.

idealy a pinwheel would be the best because it does not promote wear of the pump and will start everytime but its not as efficent as the meshwheel. a pinwheel is a long lasting alternative. some of the newer pinwheels work very very well (like the purple's). they achieve near mesh performance without the negatives. even a good meshjob may not work as well.


an octo extreme with a large purple pinwheel would be somthing worth looking at if you can get one. they work very well for the money. may be a little large, it depends on the sump. you may need around a 20l or larger sump for some of these skimmers to fit.

good call on the meshwheel. i had to put the mesh on the bubble master a few times i had it. i simply don't have the time to adjust products frequently to get them to work efficiently. for instance, i have the vortech mp20.. this thing has locking issues every week to month or so. this started about 2-3 months ago. i spend about 20mins to over a hour adjusting it so it runs. its a great pump when it runs but ugh, i don't feel comfortable leaving for several days bc this is the primary source for water flow in my tank.