Which BK is best?

Spartanman22 · 05/18/2015, 02:15 PM

I'm planning out a new system and this time around I don't want to spare any expense. I'm willing to spend top dollar for the best equipment for my needs (which doesn't always translate to most expensive).

The new tank will be an 80 gallon deep blue rimless with a synergy ss-34 sump. it will be an SPS dominant tank and more than likely stocked on the heavy side.

I'm currently debating on the BK double cone 150 or the BK mini 160. From a cost point the double cone seems to be more economical. My question is do you think there's a noticeable difference in performance between the two models?

I'm well aware that there are many other skimmers out there that would do the job, but for the sake of this discussion lets keep the focus on BK. Thanks!

janes_mw · 05/18/2015, 04:52 PM

I have the double cone 250 on my 300 gallon tank and this skimmer is the best I have had in 25 years + doing this. I think if I was doing an 80 gallon, I would pick the 150 or the 180 with the DC pump. There are some good BK experts on here, hopefully they will chime in.

slief · 05/18/2015, 05:46 PM

^^^Good advice James! You took the words right out of my mouth as far as the choices go. ^^^

I'm not a big fan of the mini's if you have the space largely because I don't like having to dissasemble a skimmer to service the pump. If it were me, I'd go with the double cone 150 or the double cone 180. Your tank size falls right in the middle of those two skimmers. The Cone 150 maxes out at about 90 gallons and the 180's minium suggested size is 80 gallons. If you are going to be truly heavily stocked with fish, then the 180 would be the way to go. You can't beat the RD3 speedy pump on the Double Cone 180. If your fish load is on the medium or lower side, the 150 would likely be more consistent and would work very hard for you which is a good thing. If your load is on the lighter side, the Cone 180 may slow down a bit once it exhausts the dissolved organics (DOC's). Then it will ramp back up once they build back up. If you run the 180 a bit wetter, it will likely perform more consistently under lighter load conditions.

Having said that, the BK's are one of the few skimmers that is truly rated conservatively. As such, you really don't want to get caught up in the whole notion that bigger is better. The BK's have large neck diameter and need DOC's to generate a good foam head. If the DOC's are low, the skimmer will not produce skimmate consistently or will have to be run really wet to get it to produce. That said, like I said, your tank size is borderline and I think you should be safe with either one and the 180 has the better pump that will give you much more finite control. I run a Supermarin 250 on my 480g display that also has a 60 gallon display fuge plumbed in and an overall volume of 650 gallons. I absolutely the RD3 pump. I've had other BK skimmers with the standard Red Dragons and the RD3 Speedy pump is a dream when it comes to really tuning these skimmers.

You will absolutely love the skimmer which ever way you go. I've owned a lot of skimmers over the years and my BK's have been the best all around skimmers in terms of build quality, lack of maintenance, performance, efficiency, consistancy and reliability.

moondoggy4 · 05/18/2015, 11:48 PM

Mini 160 great on a 90 gallon tank, so almost perfect for your tank.

Spartanman22 · 05/19/2015, 07:29 AM

Ok thanks for all of the advice! I do like being able to pull the pump out for cleaning without having to take out the whole skimmer. This builds still a ways out but I want to make sure I get all the information ahead of time! I am NOT re-purchasing any piece of equipment this time around!

How does the Vertex alpha compare to the BK minis and double cones?

slief · 05/19/2015, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartanman22

Ok thanks for all of the advice! I do like being able to pull the pump out for cleaning without having to take out the whole skimmer. This builds still a ways out but I want to make sure I get all the information ahead of time! I am NOT re-purchasing any piece of equipment this time around!

How does the Vertex alpha compare to the BK minis and double cones?

I ran an Alpha 300 for years and have helped a bunch of Alpha owners here with their issues over the years. While the Alpha's are among one of the best full cone skimmers, IMO, the BK's are much more stable and consistent and better overall than the Alpha's. Especially the double cone which is a far superior design and the Double Cone 180 with it's RD3 pump will run rings around an Alpha. When I went to my Supermarin, the Alpha is what i switched from.

janes_mw · 05/19/2015, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartanman22

Ok thanks for all of the advice! I do like being able to pull the pump out for cleaning without having to take out the whole skimmer. This builds still a ways out but I want to make sure I get all the information ahead of time! I am NOT re-purchasing any piece of equipment this time around!

How does the Vertex alpha compare to the BK minis and double cones?

Also in addition to way Slief said, the older Vertex Alphas were build by Royal Exclusive for Vertex and used Red Dragon pumps. They are now built in China and have a Red Dragon pump built for them. Not saying that is good or bad, just that there is a difference between the older vertex alphas and the new ones.

mike

05/18/2015, 02:15 PM	#1
Spartanman22 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oswego Posts: 1,314	Which BK is best? I'm planning out a new system and this time around I don't want to spare any expense. I'm willing to spend top dollar for the best equipment for my needs (which doesn't always translate to most expensive). The new tank will be an 80 gallon deep blue rimless with a synergy ss-34 sump. it will be an SPS dominant tank and more than likely stocked on the heavy side. I'm currently debating on the BK double cone 150 or the BK mini 160. From a cost point the double cone seems to be more economical. My question is do you think there's a noticeable difference in performance between the two models? I'm well aware that there are many other skimmers out there that would do the job, but for the sake of this discussion lets keep the focus on BK. Thanks!

05/18/2015, 04:52 PM	#2
janes_mw Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 1,526	I have the double cone 250 on my 300 gallon tank and this skimmer is the best I have had in 25 years + doing this. I think if I was doing an 80 gallon, I would pick the 150 or the 180 with the DC pump. There are some good BK experts on here, hopefully they will chime in. __________________ 300G 96x24x30, BK250 Skimmer with Avast Swabbie, LED/T5, Geo CaRx with Masterflex effluent cntl, Zeovite User - Avast Marine Tumbler, Archon control, Vortech MP60,Tunze 6125, & Jebao RW20 making waves

05/18/2015, 05:46 PM	#3
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	^^^Good advice James! You took the words right out of my mouth as far as the choices go. ^^^ I'm not a big fan of the mini's if you have the space largely because I don't like having to dissasemble a skimmer to service the pump. If it were me, I'd go with the double cone 150 or the double cone 180. Your tank size falls right in the middle of those two skimmers. The Cone 150 maxes out at about 90 gallons and the 180's minium suggested size is 80 gallons. If you are going to be truly heavily stocked with fish, then the 180 would be the way to go. You can't beat the RD3 speedy pump on the Double Cone 180. If your fish load is on the medium or lower side, the 150 would likely be more consistent and would work very hard for you which is a good thing. If your load is on the lighter side, the Cone 180 may slow down a bit once it exhausts the dissolved organics (DOC's). Then it will ramp back up once they build back up. If you run the 180 a bit wetter, it will likely perform more consistently under lighter load conditions. Having said that, the BK's are one of the few skimmers that is truly rated conservatively. As such, you really don't want to get caught up in the whole notion that bigger is better. The BK's have large neck diameter and need DOC's to generate a good foam head. If the DOC's are low, the skimmer will not produce skimmate consistently or will have to be run really wet to get it to produce. That said, like I said, your tank size is borderline and I think you should be safe with either one and the 180 has the better pump that will give you much more finite control. I run a Supermarin 250 on my 480g display that also has a 60 gallon display fuge plumbed in and an overall volume of 650 gallons. I absolutely the RD3 pump. I've had other BK skimmers with the standard Red Dragons and the RD3 Speedy pump is a dream when it comes to really tuning these skimmers. You will absolutely love the skimmer which ever way you go. I've owned a lot of skimmers over the years and my BK's have been the best all around skimmers in terms of build quality, lack of maintenance, performance, efficiency, consistancy and reliability. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 Last edited by slief; 05/18/2015 at 05:52 PM.

05/18/2015, 11:48 PM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Mini 160 great on a 90 gallon tank, so almost perfect for your tank.

05/19/2015, 07:29 AM	#5
Spartanman22 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oswego Posts: 1,314	Ok thanks for all of the advice! I do like being able to pull the pump out for cleaning without having to take out the whole skimmer. This builds still a ways out but I want to make sure I get all the information ahead of time! I am NOT re-purchasing any piece of equipment this time around! How does the Vertex alpha compare to the BK minis and double cones?