Is the BK Worth it?

sditch · 05/03/2008, 08:35 AM

Im looking for a new in sump skimmer for my 240 gal. probagation and treatment system. I was looking at the BK 200 SM but $1500 is kind of step and replacement parts are pretty expensive.

Any guys switch from H&S or Deltec or any other nice working skimmer and seen improvments switching to the BK?

I want a skimmer that is easy to clean and can pull out some serious gunk. Im looking more for value then price at this point.

mfinn · 05/03/2008, 08:52 AM

Not sure $1500 for skimmer is worth it, but I have never seen anyone complain that they spent too much on their BK.

I happen to really like my Bubble Master.

PRINCE_NAMOR · 05/03/2008, 10:08 AM

I'm going thru the same thing. The deltec I'm looking at has 4 pumps and cost a little less than the BK 500, but I keep hearing how good the BK is.

just dave · 05/03/2008, 12:13 PM

I guess we would have to define "worth" and that would be different depending on our needs /desires.

I would have a hard time believing that it performed in a manner that would justify its cost. In other words would it perform twice as well as a skimmer costing half as much?

ConcreteReefer · 05/03/2008, 12:18 PM

Is it worth it?

If you have the $$, yes.

edwing206 · 05/03/2008, 02:09 PM

Lots of people seem to think that the MSX skimmers are they best bang for you buck. I really can't say though as I don't have one.

tbone28 · 05/03/2008, 02:46 PM

I have a BK SM250. I REALLY like it. I like it because it skims well, is silent, and doesn't draw much electricity. However, is it worth $1600? I'd say no. My previous ER RS250 skimmed very well, too. The BK doesn't skim *a lot* better, but the silence and low wattage are pluses.

I think when you start shopping high end skimmers, it's more about what features you want and less of "will it skim well". I think they will all skim well.

I live in CA, where electricity bills kill me. I CANNOT put on a skimmer that runs 4 pumps!

I analogize a high-end skimmer to a luxury car. Do you need it? Is it worth it? Nah. But, do you want it? Yes, because it has features that are desirable.

sditch · 05/03/2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tbone28
I have a BK SM250. I REALLY like it. I like it because it skims well, is silent, and doesn't draw much electricity. However, is it worth $1600? I'd say no. My previous ER RS250 skimmed very well, too. The BK doesn't skim *a lot* better, but the silence and low wattage are pluses.

I think when you start shopping high end skimmers, it's more about what features you want and less of "will it skim well". I think they will all skim well.

I live in CA, where electricity bills kill me. I CANNOT put on a skimmer that runs 4 pumps!

I analogize a high-end skimmer to a luxury car. Do you need it? Is it worth it? Nah. But, do you want it? Yes, because it has features that are desirable.

Good point, so In turn the BK gives you good skimming, near slilent operation (Could be worth it for my show tank in the living room

)energy effient pmp and great craftmanship. Did I leave anything eles out?

GSMguy · 05/03/2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sditch
. Did I leave anything eles out?

Companionship,

Terry is closer with his skimmer than he is with his Woman.

tbone28 · 05/03/2008, 03:24 PM

The BK isn't near silent. It IS silent. My tank is in the family room, and so silence is a must - per wifey. BTW, my wife thinks the BK costs 500 buck-a-roos only

GSMguy · 05/03/2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tbone28
The BK IS My family

see what i mean.

tbone28 · 05/03/2008, 03:33 PM

I think I'm seeing things!

wtac · 05/04/2008, 12:40 AM

IME, the BK SMs are well worth the $$$. Myself and friends that have "upgraded" from H&S and Deltec, the skimmate is much darker and smellier as well as overall more skimmate volume in comparison.

Of my group, we are more than happy with the purchase of the BK skimmer. For our future system(s), we will be using BK skimmers.

JME/2C

Roland Jacques · 05/04/2008, 02:15 AM

I think the newer BKs are worth the money, when comparing to to the price of Deltec or H&S. For what you get,(IMO, the best design, reliability, quietness, efficiency, air volume, performance) The price difference is not that great. I even think the newer BKs are a better value Deltec or H&S.
But if you compare the performance / value of BK to MSX, the extra cost/value, is not there IMO. The down side to the MSX is you may have to do some DIY fine tuning.

Dejavu · 05/04/2008, 04:01 AM

I think tbone has it nailed! A few other thing that played in my choosing of BK was it reliable and there is no need to mod to make it work well.

PRINCE_NAMOR · 05/05/2008, 08:23 PM

What about the ATB's I keep reading about lately?

Shawn D · 05/05/2008, 08:39 PM

Both are very expensive and therefore not the best bang for your buck, but what makes them valuable is that the are phenomenal skimmers out of the box and you won't have to constantly play with them, also I needed my skimmer to be completely silent.Also customer service was a huge factor for me (I got screwed by reeflo) and Victor from ATB is as good as they come. It's like tbone said it's all about what features you want.

GQuinn · 05/05/2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shawn D
Also customer service was a huge factor for me (I got screwed by reeflo) and Victor from ATB is as good as they come. It's like tbone said it's all about what features you want.

I have to second this. Victor is as good as they come.

Gary

tbone28 · 05/05/2008, 10:20 PM

Victor's a cool cat. I like him

Maximus · 05/05/2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GSMguy
Companionship,

Terry is closer with his skimmer than he is with his Woman.

DOH! This man speaks the truth!

sditch · 05/05/2008, 11:28 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like the value would be there for me if I put the skimmer on my show tank in the living room

Would you call the US reseller for support on the BK's? How is the support if anyone has used it? Any news if they will be using the RD II on the skimmers in the future?

tbone28 · 05/06/2008, 12:37 AM

sditch - support will come through the retailer you bought the skimmer from. But you can get quick advice through the proline forum here. Chris is a great guy. RD2 will be availble after Interzoo, which is soon. It will probably be an upgrade for the skimmers.

reefsahoy · 05/06/2008, 05:09 AM

IMHO, if you surf rc alot you almost never see anyone selling their BK and you always see others "upgrading, moding,replacing, ect" their skimmers. I for one has done all that and then i bought a BK. I wish i had done that from the get go cause then i would have saved all the head ache, heart ache, and $ not to mention from all those experiences. I've owned at least 10 different skimmers since the start of keeping reefs and i can now say the BK is going to be the last because i bought one way bigger than my 90 gallon tank requirements and is big enough if i ever decide to upgrade my tank to my "ideal size" tank.

05/03/2008, 08:35 AM	#1
sditch Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston,Texas (USA) Posts: 750	Is the BK Worth it? Im looking for a new in sump skimmer for my 240 gal. probagation and treatment system. I was looking at the BK 200 SM but $1500 is kind of step and replacement parts are pretty expensive. Any guys switch from H&S or Deltec or any other nice working skimmer and seen improvments switching to the BK? I want a skimmer that is easy to clean and can pull out some serious gunk. Im looking more for value then price at this point.

05/03/2008, 08:52 AM	#2
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	Not sure $1500 for skimmer is worth it, but I have never seen anyone complain that they spent too much on their BK. I happen to really like my Bubble Master. __________________ 240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank

05/03/2008, 02:09 PM	#6
edwing206 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Shoreline,Washington Posts: 4,518	Lots of people seem to think that the MSX skimmers are they best bang for you buck. I really can't say though as I don't have one. __________________ The name's Luis. :) Current Tank Info: 50G cube

05/04/2008, 02:15 AM	#14
Roland Jacques Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,848	I think the newer BKs are worth the money, when comparing to to the price of Deltec or H&S. For what you get,(IMO, the best design, reliability, quietness, efficiency, air volume, performance) The price difference is not that great. I even think the newer BKs are a better value Deltec or H&S. But if you compare the performance / value of BK to MSX, the extra cost/value, is not there IMO. The down side to the MSX is you may have to do some DIY fine tuning. __________________ Roland

05/03/2008, 10:08 AM	#3
PRINCE_NAMOR Moved On Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 120	I'm going thru the same thing. The deltec I'm looking at has 4 pumps and cost a little less than the BK 500, but I keep hearing how good the BK is.

05/03/2008, 12:13 PM	#4
just dave 11th in '11 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cordova, TN Posts: 4,394	I guess we would have to define "worth" and that would be different depending on our needs /desires. I would have a hard time believing that it performed in a manner that would justify its cost. In other words would it perform twice as well as a skimmer costing half as much?

05/03/2008, 12:18 PM	#5
ConcreteReefer Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SW FLA Posts: 996	Is it worth it? If you have the $$, yes.

05/03/2008, 02:46 PM	#7
tbone28 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,503	I have a BK SM250. I REALLY like it. I like it because it skims well, is silent, and doesn't draw much electricity. However, is it worth $1600? I'd say no. My previous ER RS250 skimmed very well, too. The BK doesn't skim a lot better, but the silence and low wattage are pluses. I think when you start shopping high end skimmers, it's more about what features you want and less of "will it skim well". I think they will all skim well. I live in CA, where electricity bills kill me. I CANNOT put on a skimmer that runs 4 pumps! I analogize a high-end skimmer to a luxury car. Do you need it? Is it worth it? Nah. But, do you want it? Yes, because it has features that are desirable.

05/03/2008, 03:24 PM	#10
tbone28 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,503	The BK isn't near silent. It IS silent. My tank is in the family room, and so silence is a must - per wifey. BTW, my wife thinks the BK costs 500 buck-a-roos only

05/03/2008, 03:33 PM	#12
tbone28 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,503	I think I'm seeing things!

05/04/2008, 12:40 AM	#13
wtac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto and Calgary, Canada Posts: 377	IME, the BK SMs are well worth the $$$. Myself and friends that have "upgraded" from H&S and Deltec, the skimmate is much darker and smellier as well as overall more skimmate volume in comparison. Of my group, we are more than happy with the purchase of the BK skimmer. For our future system(s), we will be using BK skimmers. JME/2C

05/04/2008, 04:01 AM	#15
Dejavu ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,423	I think tbone has it nailed! A few other thing that played in my choosing of BK was it reliable and there is no need to mod to make it work well.

05/05/2008, 08:23 PM	#16
PRINCE_NAMOR Moved On Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 120	What about the ATB's I keep reading about lately?

05/05/2008, 08:39 PM	#17
Shawn D Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 725	Both are very expensive and therefore not the best bang for your buck, but what makes them valuable is that the are phenomenal skimmers out of the box and you won't have to constantly play with them, also I needed my skimmer to be completely silent.Also customer service was a huge factor for me (I got screwed by reeflo) and Victor from ATB is as good as they come. It's like tbone said it's all about what features you want.

05/05/2008, 10:20 PM	#19
tbone28 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,503	Victor's a cool cat. I like him

05/05/2008, 11:28 PM	#21
sditch Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston,Texas (USA) Posts: 750	Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like the value would be there for me if I put the skimmer on my show tank in the living room Would you call the US reseller for support on the BK's? How is the support if anyone has used it? Any news if they will be using the RD II on the skimmers in the future?

05/06/2008, 12:37 AM	#22
tbone28 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,503	sditch - support will come through the retailer you bought the skimmer from. But you can get quick advice through the proline forum here. Chris is a great guy. RD2 will be availble after Interzoo, which is soon. It will probably be an upgrade for the skimmers.

05/06/2008, 05:09 AM	#23
reefsahoy I can see thru you! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Milky Way Galaxy 3rd planet from the sun, in a country called USA! Posts: 2,685	IMHO, if you surf rc alot you almost never see anyone selling their BK and you always see others "upgrading, moding,replacing, ect" their skimmers. I for one has done all that and then i bought a BK. I wish i had done that from the get go cause then i would have saved all the head ache, heart ache, and $ not to mention from all those experiences. I've owned at least 10 different skimmers since the start of keeping reefs and i can now say the BK is going to be the last because i bought one way bigger than my 90 gallon tank requirements and is big enough if i ever decide to upgrade my tank to my "ideal size" tank.