Comments on: ATI Bubble Master 200 – First Impressions

By: JD

JD — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:34:45 +0000

Nice! I inherited a BM160 from the previous owner of my aquarium and I’m trying to get it to skim. I’m also trying to figure out what pre-filter to put on the intake of the pump so it doesnt suck up my stray chaeto and sand in there.

I heard these things skim really well. BTW, nice site reefiris site. Im signing up now.

By: Keith

Keith — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:10:24 +0000

i also have in my notes about the pump coming unattached. it happened a few weeks ago, but only once.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:46:24 +0000

I have had this skimmer for a year now. I agree with you on the gate valve, it is not designed well imo. The handle was not working well and I ended up taking it off completely. Now I have to adjust the gate valve by pushing it up and down by hand. For the skimming, it does a good job though. I do have to blow air into the floss cylinder when it starts because the pump rattles. The other issue I am seeing lately is that the pump sleeve that connects with the skimmer body is coming out on its own sometimes. Im happy with this skimmer except the pump is loud lately, the rubber foot of the pump came unglued and I have to glue that back on as well.

By: Keith

Keith — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:14:27 +0000

I’m planning a more extensive review post, but not until i’ve run the skimmer through its paces for a few more weeks. (my bioload is still very low)

otherwise it skims great, but the knife gate valve did not live up to my expectations. it seems to get stuck when coated in biofilm and salt spray.

i’m probably going to give the skimmer a good cleaning, dial it a little wetter, and then let it do its business.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 05:25:43 +0000

So how’s the skimmer working now? I need to buy another skimmer because my Euro Reef CS 8/2 has been a complete failure; it would not skim. My ER CS 5/3 out skims it. I have a 150 gallon total mixed reef with 100PPM nitrates.

By: Keith

Keith — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:08:52 +0000

charles: i’m not familiar with that store. what is the full name?

By: Charles

Charles — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 09:16:28 +0000

Keith, just wondering, how come you didn’t buy the skimmer from Ed at KMA? Hes located at SF.

By: Curvball

Curvball — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:13:13 +0000

Awesome looking skimmer. Looking forward to hearing how it performs for you.

And nice music selection you got there – be sure to check out distortedmagazine.com ;)

By: glassbox-design.com » ATI Bubble Master | The skimmer that changed the online hobby?

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:49:54 +0000

[...] and blogger Keith Thornhill recently purchased an ATI Bubble Master 200 skimmer for his new rimless AGE build. (If you have not [...]

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:20:32 +0000

i’m hoping to stay in my apartment as long as possible :]

good eye on the tshirt. yes, fire eagle is a brickhouse project. but we do multiple projects at a time so i’m not actively coding on it.