Skimmer bubble plate, worthwhile mod?

das75 · 09/19/2007, 07:24 PM

See high-end skimmers such Bubble Kings have a plate with holes drilled which I understand is to prevent turbulence.

Though this seems to go against the other mods of putting 45 and 90Ã‚Â° elbows inside the skimmer body, wondering if anyone who has done the plate mod (say for a ASM G3) comment here.

Drone · 06/17/2010, 02:18 AM

TTT.

HAha 3 years later.

Kevin

RokleM · 06/17/2010, 07:17 AM

You're probably not going to see a lot of people doing more advanced mods to the ASM series anymore beyond maybe recirc. They are pretty much just "oldschool" technology, and while they work still, they're blown away wattage/SCFH/etc wise by newer technology.

You could possibly cut it up, replace the pump, install a bubble plate, etc. However, it is likely more cost efficient to sell that skimmer to someone who can use it and purchase something more effective or sized a little more specific to your system.

outy · 06/17/2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by das75

See high-end skimmers such Bubble Kings have a plate with holes drilled which I understand is to prevent turbulence.

Though this seems to go against the other mods of putting 45 and 90Ã‚Â° elbows inside the skimmer body, wondering if anyone who has done the plate mod (say for a ASM G3) comment here.

cutting down turbulence in the skimmer body will always help but the amount it will help isnt always worth the time to do the mod.

I have a old oct 250 recirc and with mesh modded pumps there is a huge amount of turbulence, despite it only helping a little I will do this mod just to get the most out of what I have.

the new skimmers have just used all the best mods with the best pumps and then put a stupid price tag on them.

fishoutawater · 06/18/2010, 12:57 AM

Do you mean like this?

It makes a huge difference. That and a little dremel work to the pump, it's pulling around 15-17scfh. The bubble plate drastically reduced turbulence, as well as filling much more of the body with bubbles. I did not have to do anything to the body for this mod and if I wanted to could change it back to stock, but that would be silly. This is a G1x btw.

scubasteve06 · 10/24/2010, 06:57 PM

Fishout of water did you just get a piece of acrylic or pvc and cut it a few inches less than the diameter of the body and set it down on the bottom of the skimmer? I have already added a 90 degree elbow onto the pump output of my G2 since the stock setup just shoots it straight into the side of body creating tons of turbulence. I have my elbow pointing to the right and it creates a nice vortex of rising bubbles but no where near as calm and as 'straight up' as yours. My swirls in one steady motion at least instead of crashing into each other and disturbing the foam head as it used to but it could still be improved drastically. I think I will get something cut to fit in my skimmer body in the shape of a circle and fashion it to where the output is coming into this mini chamber inside the body of the skimmer and use something as a diffuser so the bubbles rise straight up. What did you use to drill the holes with? Dremel or a drill bit?

09/19/2007, 07:24 PM	#1
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	Skimmer bubble plate, worthwhile mod? See high-end skimmers such Bubble Kings have a plate with holes drilled which I understand is to prevent turbulence. Though this seems to go against the other mods of putting 45 and 90Ã‚Â° elbows inside the skimmer body, wondering if anyone who has done the plate mod (say for a ASM G3) comment here.

06/17/2010, 07:17 AM	#3
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	You're probably not going to see a lot of people doing more advanced mods to the ASM series anymore beyond maybe recirc. They are pretty much just "oldschool" technology, and while they work still, they're blown away wattage/SCFH/etc wise by newer technology. You could possibly cut it up, replace the pump, install a bubble plate, etc. However, it is likely more cost efficient to sell that skimmer to someone who can use it and purchase something more effective or sized a little more specific to your system. __________________ -Eric-

06/18/2010, 12:57 AM	#5
fishoutawater Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: salt lake city, ut Posts: 577	Do you mean like this? It makes a huge difference. That and a little dremel work to the pump, it's pulling around 15-17scfh. The bubble plate drastically reduced turbulence, as well as filling much more of the body with bubbles. I did not have to do anything to the body for this mod and if I wanted to could change it back to stock, but that would be silly. This is a G1x btw. __________________ 40 Breeder DIY external overflow, closed loop, skimmer, sump, dosers,.... Current Tank Info: 29gal reef w 20 gal sump/40gal reef w 20gal sump

06/17/2010, 02:18 AM	#2
Drone Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pgh, PA Posts: 562	TTT. HAha 3 years later. Kevin

10/24/2010, 06:57 PM	#6
scubasteve06 Jeeper Reefer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 1,171	Fishout of water did you just get a piece of acrylic or pvc and cut it a few inches less than the diameter of the body and set it down on the bottom of the skimmer? I have already added a 90 degree elbow onto the pump output of my G2 since the stock setup just shoots it straight into the side of body creating tons of turbulence. I have my elbow pointing to the right and it creates a nice vortex of rising bubbles but no where near as calm and as 'straight up' as yours. My swirls in one steady motion at least instead of crashing into each other and disturbing the foam head as it used to but it could still be improved drastically. I think I will get something cut to fit in my skimmer body in the shape of a circle and fashion it to where the output is coming into this mini chamber inside the body of the skimmer and use something as a diffuser so the bubbles rise straight up. What did you use to drill the holes with? Dremel or a drill bit?