Bubble Master Skimmers more info wanted???

[Creetin]

Ooops forgot the pics, As you guys/gals can see the bubbles are up to the top. My skimmate is perfect for me. I would strive for this color in my beckett. It happened to be as dark as i could get it, But its what i wanted. Thats almost 2 inches of skimmate in 18 hrs. I would say about 1/2 to 3/4 of a litre of skimmate.
Never have my old Asm's ever did that. Hell it would take a week with the stand pipe all the way up to get that.

[Kirk_M]

Originally posted by Creetin
These are not beta tests, They have been running in germany for some time. They mad a couple changes for the US because they had to employ a new pump design. I saved over $120 by getting mine first. I dont care if its alfa delta beta i saved 120 bones.
Theres bound to be bad pumps broken parts. Thats life.
I can not say i have never recieved a broken product in my life.
Any who.
BUBBLES!! Sory i wont get tto many pics today as i have the stomach flu. Acckk

Didn't say they were beta tests...note the quotes surrounding it...but in a matter of speaking, whenever a new product, new medication, etc. comes to market, it's always best NOT to be on the forefront and rush to buy into them. As you stated, it's a different pump for the US design...so, UNTESTED in Germany. I'm not bashing the product at all...I'm just going to give it more time before I buy into it, or the Tunze Master DOC.

[UCanDoIt]

Originally posted by Maximus
Hmm, I think I may have found a solution. I just left off the stand pipe altogether and the water level is perfect. At first it seemed like it was too low, then after a few min, the water level rose. It is now producing a much dryer and thicker foam.

Hey Maximus,
This not a solution, it's a workaround.

From day 1, the photos from Creetin shows a lower bubble breaking level that Maximum, which tells me that each skimmer isn't made exactly the same. And what's important is that the waterlevel within the skimmer is adjustable or for those who like to skim dry don't have a choice. I love to skim very wet myself and this is probably a habit I developed from owning ER, AquaC and ASM in the past, but even with what I'm seeing on Maximus's BM250, that would be way to wet for me. I can't imagine emptying the collection cup daily or every other day. My philosophy is that the collection cup and skimmer size should be matched so that one would need to empty and clean the collection cup every 7-10 days and it is almost full at the time of cleaning. Obviously, from all the photos the collection is huge, but the skimmer is also obvious to me that with a fixed output exhaust (non adjustable) it is not balanced for the 2 pumps yet for the USA market. I would think the solution is simple... ATi lower the exhaust T-fitting at the factory and have a ball or gate valve installed after the T. Or, increase the diameter of the exhaust pipe to at least double and put a ball or gate valve after the T would probably work too.

Originally posted by Creetin
These are not beta tests, They have been running in germany for some time. They mad a couple changes for the US because they had to employ a new pump design. I saved over $120 by getting mine first. I dont care if its alfa delta beta i saved 120 bones.
Theres bound to be bad pumps broken parts. Thats life.
I can not say i have never recieved a broken product in my life.
Any who.
BUBBLES!! Sory i wont get tto many pics today as i have the stomach flu. Acckk

I have to disagree here and it is not because this product hasn't been around awhile overseas and working properly there. Every new owner who pre-ordered from the first 2 shipments at the special introductory price less 10% is a beta tester. Why, because a proven product overseas does not mean that it will be a properly working product for the USA market. The body size, impeller and pump needs to adjusted just right to be able to accept USA electrical current, it's not just a matter of change the plugs. H&S and Deltec discovered that when they adapted the Eheim pumps for the USA market that our old faithful, Eheim1260 just ran way too strong with USA electrical current, so the impeller and pump had to be customized to adjust for the USA market as compared to overseas models. My first impression when ATi said they were going to pull the Eheim pump off the USA production models was that it was too strong for such a small body, so they went with the Sicci pumps instead. Of course, I could be wrong, but this was my immediate impression when I saw that posting. I personally was really disappointed as I love the Eheim1260 pump and running at only about 40watts as compared to the 2x Sicci pumps using 80watts total. Just my observation on the BM250 and I am NOT being critical as I really believe ATi is going the right direction and have high hopes for their new skimmer line. The ATi product definitely looks more promising than the changes going on with ER. Time will tell and I sure the owners of the first 2 shipments will have a lot of good feedback for ATi to consider. Hoping that the BM200 (non adjustable) and BM150 (looks like this model is adjustable) will have results soon for everyone to share. Can't wait until my local guy gets his BM200 in for testing... next week.

[Creetin]

The sicci pumps are 28-30 watts a piece. The ehiems required alot of modifications to make it a needlewheel/threadwheel.
If theres any varience its in the threadwheel not the body as i dont see why they would have every one not the same lol.
They are the same parts, The only thing i can see making the result vary is the threadwheel.
I plan on buying a killawatt meter to test.
ATI changed the impellor size if you havnt read that from oliver.
You are correct the higher revs with the american 120/60htz
And lower torq.
These things run much like a beckett, Atleast mine does. I fed the tank again today and seen the bubbles go down to the base of the neck instantly. A couple hrs later stuck my hand in to flip over a frag, and the skimmer lost some bubbles. They are going to be affected much like a beckett because its throwing the same or more as a high powered beckett would.
As for calling us beta testers i still dissagree, Sure with any new product theres bugs, But with what i seen already i dont think theres any that cant be fixed easily. I plan on doing a mod in the next couple weeks. The bubble breaking points vary, when running optimum and when they have foods/oils in the tank are 2 different variences as these things react to the changes around them.
Go in and call the deltec club beta testers, or the euroreef club and call them beta testers for buying their new products.
Also all the tunze nano stream buyers beta testers. Its simply a new product, not a beta test. LOL
ATI was working on the pumps for the usa a while ago.
I will dissagree yes its a new product, and sure there may be a revision to be worked out, But hardly a beta test.
Main Entry: beta test
Function: noun
: a field test of the beta version of a product (as software) especially by testers outside the company developing it that is conducted prior to commercial release
- beta test transitive verb
- beta tester noun

[Roland Jacques]

UCanDoIt,

Good points, 2 things, the Ehiem was dropped from their whole line not just for the US. Oliver explained why, it is posted a few pages back.
And 2, the watts usage is lower than 40 watts for the pumps I've heard 27 watts each on average.

But your right, im sure things will change in the design. ATI seems to be a very progressive company. They are changing even the most subtle things for a little more performance. The inside sleeve ID for one, 2 sicci pumps (more relieable less vibration) , the price decreasing(overseas) ... Some people will look at that as negatives. It is just a different way of looking at things, maybe just less conservative.

I think most manufactures know their skimmers can be improved but choose not to. I think that some skimmer are stuck in not changing moods, it works, it sells, so why improve it? Good or bad it looks that ATI is not that way. But waiting is not a bad idea at all.

[UCanDoIt]

Originally posted by Creetin
..... or the euroreef club and call them beta testers for buying their new products.....

on going beta testers

OK, beta testers is the wrong term for this new ATi skimmer. All owners from the first 2 shipments are guinea pigs. how's that? Hope you know that I'm just kidding here and don't want to offend any ATi owners. I'm just one that likes to sort through all the hype and try to evaluate based on results. I will get a chance to see the BM200 next week and if there's anything happenning, I will take some photos. Glad I don't have to spend the money to try the unit out and my local guy was willing to do that for me. FYI... this is the most exciting thread in a long time on skimmers!!!

[Maximus]

I think with any "newish" product, there will always be kinks. With that said, would I buy this product over again knowing what I do now? In a heartbeat The bubble production is simply amazing. All I need to do to make it optimal is to buy a short piece of sch 80 pvc and cut it to around 1". With the stand pipe completely off, the skimmer is definitely skimming on the dry side. It's a bit too dry for my tastes and I bet the 1" addition on to the skimmer would be perfect. Now, I just gotta find some pvc that will slide over the tube. Btw, I had the opposite problem with my Euroreef cs8-1. When I first received the skimmer, it would skim far too dry, even with the riser pipe fully extended. I found a simple solution. I bought a coupler and added it to the stand pipe, This effectively extended the riser and allowed me to achieve the perfect skimmate. So, a fix is real simple.

[UCanDoIt]

Similar to the old EuroReef sliding exhaust pipe?

[Maximus]

Originally posted by UCanDoIt
Similar to the old EuroReef sliding exhaust pipe?

I wish ATI would have made a sliding pipe. It would have been a simple add on.

[ridetheducati]

The problem or should I say issue soon approaching is many early adopters and especially the legacy users will feel slighted if ATI continues to improve on their products. Why would anyone spend $800 for a product and 30 days later find out that there is another version with better performance or functionality; and the added functionality can not be easily transfered down.

Personally, I do not mind the fact that the product is not perfect. I like the fact that I can personalize the skimmer for my needs. I could have purchased a Deltec or H&S, but what fun is that. ATI is on the verge of something special and I want to be part of the excitement.

[Oliver P.]

Hallo,

it is really a pleasure to read all your thoughts here and i am really impressed. But let me give you some first hand information:

when ATi said they were going to pull the Eheim pump off the USA production models was that it was too strong for such a small body,......the Eheim1260 pump and running at only about 40watts as compared to the 2x Sicci pumps using 80watts total.

Each Sicce Pump is running at 30 Watt (both 60 Watt) and the Eheim was only 10% less.
We found the sicce pump in May this year at Interzoo and we tested the pumps 6 month now. So, it is really a well proven pump and to adapt a pump to the US-Electricity (110 V/ 60 Hz) is only a question of the diameter of the impeller. Because of the higher speed or rpm (60 Hz instead of 50 Hz) you just have to reduce the diameter of the impeller. Nothing more.

ATi lower the exhaust T-fitting at the factory and have a ball or gate valve installed after the T.

the second shipment is with an adjustable Wateroutlet. The T-fitting is a little lower and ended much higher. Please look at the picture.



But it is also very easy to connect a second T-fitting with a ball valve at one end. In this way you can adjust the waterlevel in the skimmer and you don`t have so many splashes. Please dont cut pipes.

And please fell sure :
This is our final Version

One of our goals is to produce powerful skimmers in a compact size. A higher airflow is not possible in this compact construction and every BM-modell is at the limit of the possible airflow and waterflow.

Thanks,
Oliver Pritzel

[Maximus]

Well said ridetheducati! I love being an early adopter due to the excitement factor. When I bought my new car last year, it was a new model (IS 350). A lot of people on the net said it is always best to wait for the 2nd year model for the kinks to be worked out. A year later, my Lexus is still superb and I am extremely happy that I took a chance on it. Life is too short to wait around for the next best thing. There will always be something better around the corner.

[Maximus]

Hi Oliver!
It's great to have your here! I was wondering how easy it would be to add the new fitting? Will you make it available to us?

[UCanDoIt]

Originally posted by ridetheducati
The problem or should I say issue soon approaching is many early adopters and especially the legacy users will feel slighted if ATI continues to improve on their products. Why would anyone spend $800 for a product and 30 days later find out that there is another version with better performance or functionality; and the added functionality can not be easily transfered down.

Personally, I do not mind the fact that the product is not perfect. I like the fact that I can personalize the skimmer for my needs. I could have purchased a Deltec or H&S, but what fun is that. ATI is on the verge of something special and I want to be part of the excitement.

Everyone in the first 2 shipments saved $120 on the BM250, so it won't hurt as bad.

[UCanDoIt]

Originally posted by Oliver P.
Hallo,

..... the second shipment is with an adjustable Wateroutlet. The T-fitting is a little lower and ended much higher. Please look at the picture.

But it is also very easy to connect a second T-fitting with a ball valve at one end. In this way you can adjust the waterlevel in the skimmer and you don`t have so many splashes. Please dont cut pipes.

And please fell sure :
This is our final Version

One of our goals is to produce powerful skimmers in a compact size. A higher airflow is not possible in this compact construction and every BM-modell is at the limit of the possible airflow and waterflow.

Thanks,
Oliver Pritzel

AWESOME!

[Oliver P.]

I was wondering how easy it would be to add the new fitting? Will you make it available to us?

Yes, of course. We have already prepared everything. You just have to plug it in the T-PVC on the BM250. So please don`t invest in Equipment. I will sent this with the next shipment.

regards,
Oliver

[ridetheducati]

The real question is which shipment will my BM250 come from? I missed the October special.

Maximus,

I have the 06 GS300 and love it.

[Maximus]

Originally posted by Oliver P.
Yes, of course. We have already prepared everything. You just have to plug it in the T-PVC on the BM250. So please don`t invest in Equipment. I will sent this with the next shipment.

regards,
Oliver

Thanks Oliver. A few more questions. I think my main problem is the water level height. It seems like it is too high and this causes the skimmer to overflow. Is there anyway to lower the water level in the skimmer? Can the new pipe lower it? Also, it looks like you need to drill a hole in the skimmers pipe in order to accommodate the wing nut. Are we going to have to drill it? Could you please explain the add on kit? Finally, was the 90 degree acrylic elbow on the skimmer body lowered? Or, is it basically at the same height?

[Oscar19]

Oliver, is ATI coming out with external version of the skimmer or mods to make it external?

[Newreeflady]

Originally posted by Oliver P.
Yes, of course. We have already prepared everything. You just have to plug it in the T-PVC on the BM250. So please don`t invest in Equipment. I will sent this with the next shipment.

regards,
Oliver

Will Reefgeek ship these parts free to all of us who get skimmers from the first shipment?

Is this for all models? I ordered the BM150 and it will be here Monday.

Thanks,
Angela

[tentacles]

I just talked to greg at reefgeek, about my pump issue, that will be taken care of. I also asked him about the seal along the bottom of the collection cup, and he said it will be automatically shipped out at no charge. I didn't see the above posts about the adjustable pipe until after I spoke with him, but I bet it will be the same with those.

[Maximus]

Oliver,
You also mentioned this, "the second shipment is with an adjustable Wateroutlet. The T-fitting is a little lower and ended much higher" Could you explain this sentence?

[Mchava]

Oliver do you know the time frame of when the next shippments of skimmer will be sent out? Iam on the second list and cant wait to get my hands on one. If you can let me know that would be great.
Thanks
Mario

[Jim_S]

Oliver,

Thanks for the information.

Will there be any external models in the future?

Thanks,

Jim

[LA-Lawman]

ok, who has a pict of the plastic piece in the pump inlet thats starts the venturi????