ATI Bubble Master 250 question

[MAXreefer]

I am going to setup a full blown SPS 90 gallon tank and looking into my options for a good skimmer.

The ATI Bubble Master 250 skimmers are going on sale as they will come out with a new model.
I wouldn't mind getting this one if you can tell me from experience it is a workhorse and does a real good job.

Any suggestions welcome
Thanks
Michael

 

[Reefwizard]

ATI have a name and following. but if you want bang for your buck look at SWC skimmers from Luke33. They rock and half the price of ATI.

 

[MAXreefer]

ATI have a name and following. but if you want bang for your buck look at SWC skimmers from Luke33. They rock and half the price of ATI.

Thanks for your input.
Are you talking about their cone or extreme skimmers?

 

[LILBUDDHA]

Thanks for your input.
Are you talking about their cone or extreme skimmers?

My guess is the cones . I have the smallest one . No complaints. Easy to clean ,fully dismantled. It's a cone .Quiet . If you did find a ati 250 I would upgrade the impellers for that sicce. EG " purple , red devil /demon etc. BTW Luke is a great guy to deal with .
Why not get the new power cone? The smallest model is not out yet and msrp is 399.00 ? up to 150 gallons.

 

[reefsmokinFOOL]

I regret getting that same ATI 250 skimmer. The SWC will performe better from what i have heard. Call Luke and he will explaine it to ya.

 

[Troylee]

I haven't heard many complaints about ati skimmers... A friend of mine owns one and it kicks butt!!!!!

 

[Reefwizard]

Yepper the cone

 

[mfinn]

I've had a BM 250 for about 4 years. When I first bought, I was so excited to finally one of the better skimmers under a $1000. ( $879).
However over the few years I've had mine, I've gone through a couple sets of pumps, using mesh mods, different pin wheel/reducer combos.
I have to say that I am very tired of the sicce pumps.
What I do like is the amount of skimming it does in a shorter skimmer. It fits perfectly in my sump/ stand.
I would look at another skimmer with different a pump.

 

[LILBUDDHA]

@ mfinn .I had the chance to buy one or two years ago but passed on it . Mesh issues with pump .New pinwheels were not out yet or hard to get . Did you ever get a small leak /salt creep issue around the neck area. ?

 

[Maximus]

I actually bought the first BM250 from Reefgeek years ago. While I thought it was a good skimmer at the time, I agree that I would not buy another one when there are much better skimmers available on the market today. I just cannot stand mesh modded skimmers anymore. Too much trouble with them. I would definitely look into the newer ATI Powercone skimmers if I were you. They look very promising and come in at an attractive price. The air draw on them is just insane!

 

[mfinn]

@ mfinn .I had the chance to buy one or two years ago but passed on it . Mesh issues with pump .New pinwheels were not out yet or hard to get . Did you ever get a small leak /salt creep issue around the neck area. ?

I don't remember the leaking issue when I first bought it. I just know there is a constant small stream of water coming from where the cup and body meet.
Since it is a in sump skimmer, I have never really bothered with it. I suppose if I wanted, I could find a thin rubber bushing, but don't see it as really necessary.
I did forget to mention, that I did get two new pumps from Luke at Reefiltration that had the new reducers and new white pin wheel.
That was about 5 months ago, I guess. Maybe the one reason I forgot about that buy was the fact that I have had no issue with the pumps/skimmer.


What I do like about the skimmer is the fact that it is just a few inches shorter that many of the newer cone skimmers for bigger tanks. I my case those few inches are critical.

 

[tureefik87]

I'm in the process of setting up my 150 gal reef. I have a BM250 and have read mixed reviews on it.

To all, what is the optimal water level the skimmer needs to be in.

 

[mfinn]

I'm in the process of setting up my 150 gal reef. I have a BM250 and have read mixed reviews on it.

To all, what is the optimal water level the skimmer needs to be in.

I have mine in 6-1/2".
I was going to drop it to 7-1/2" but never did. Seems to be working just fine.

 

[tureefik87]

I have mine in 6-1/2".
I was going to drop it to 7-1/2" but never did. Seems to be working just fine.

Thank you Mfinn!

 

[mfinn]

I'm in the process of setting up my 150 gal reef. I have a BM250 and have read mixed reviews on it.

To all, what is the optimal water level the skimmer needs to be in.

What pumps are on yours?

 

[tureefik87]

What pumps are on yours?

I have two Sicce 2500. I did see your previous response saying you were having alot of issues with Sicce pumps.. What pumps are you currently running on your skimmer?

 

[mfinn]

I have two Sicce 2500. I did see your previous response saying you were having alot of issues with Sicce pumps.. What pumps are you currently running on your skimmer?

After using the sicce 2500's for a number of years and dealing with the startup issues, I gave the sicce psk 1000 pumps a try.
Much better pumps IMO.

 

[tureefik87]

After using the sicce 2500's for a number of years and dealing with the startup issues, I gave the sicce psk 1000 pumps a try.
Much better pumps IMO.

I will give those a try, are you running a dual psk 1000? If you say those work better and have a longer life I'll just have the Sicce pumps as a back up.

-galvin

 

[mfinn]

I will give those a try, are you running a dual psk 1000? If you say those work better and have a longer life I'll just have the Sicce pumps as a back up.

-galvin

I waited until the last set of 2500's craped out on me before buying new ones.

 

[xcorallusx]

Does anyone have a collection cup with lid for the BM250 they want to sell?