Bubble magus just got serious!

mrhasan · #1 12-03-2013, 05:34 PM

Leaked photos show a controllable skimmer (with DC pump....duh!) and a wavemaker which looks like a ripoff of vortech. Not surprising since Jebao already took care of tunzi ripoff. Well, I can't wait for the wave maker

http://reefbuilders.com/2013/12/03/l...-skimmer-pump/

ashr · #2 12-03-2013, 06:01 PM

I hope the price is better than the vortech! We need more options that are not 300.00+. I'm happy to see more companies going after the big name boys

FishyFishy! · #3 12-03-2013, 06:04 PM

Thats sweet. I have to say that bang for the buck, Bubble Magus always impresses me. It's nice to see cheaper options out there for us reefers that can't buy the expensive stuff.

Ron99 · #4 12-03-2013, 06:16 PM

Hmmmm. It does look a bit Vortech like from the pics but not sure if they will be able to sell that in the US. Ecotech have a patent on the magnetically coupled pump design like that.

Proteus · #5 12-03-2013, 07:25 PM

How long has ecotech had the pm power heads. I though but can be very wrong. THat patents were limited to 10 years

Ron99 · #6 12-03-2013, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proteus

How long has ecotech had the pm power heads. I though but can be very wrong. THat patents were limited to 10 years

20 years from the filing date and it looks like it was filed in 2010. Here's a link if you're curious:

https://www.google.com/patents/US819...ed=0CDkQ6AEwAA

Looks like they have a couple earlier patents too.

Ron99 · #7 12-03-2013, 08:23 PM

Actually, after looking at the pictures again I don't think it is an Ecotech style pump. Looks like it's fully in tank, just two colours of plastic (maybe for the prototype).

uniboob · #8 12-04-2013, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron99

Honestly, I don't see the point of a controllable pump on a skimmer. The pump's output should be matched to the skimmer. Making it adjustable just gives the end user one more setting to get wrong and have to balance with other settings. I prefer just an adjustable output (wedge pipe/gate valve etc) to get your water level in the skimmer right and maybe an adjustable volute/venturi to adjust the air draw. That's all you need. Why add another complication?

Also you can buy a skimmer that will suit your tank now, and still use same skimmer in an upgrade with all that needs to be done is turn up controller. I have heard many people using this feature currently on other controllable skimmers, as there bio load grows, they just then turn up skimmer.

Ron99 · #9 12-04-2013, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uniboob

Also you can buy a skimmer that will suit your tank now, and still use same skimmer in an upgrade with all that needs to be done is turn up controller. I have heard many people using this feature currently on other controllable skimmers, as there bio load grows, they just then turn up skimmer.

I'm still not sold. I don't think that's the way to adjust and balance a skimmer. The amount of flow should match the size of the body etc. to maximize dwell time and removal of DOC. So the flow should be matched to the skimmer and you can adjust skim by adjusting air draw for more or less bubbles and the water level in the skimmer for where the foam breaks. That's my understanding anyhow.

Skimmerking · #10 12-04-2013, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron99

I'm still not sold. I don't think that's the way to adjust and balance a skimmer. The amount of flow should match the size of the body etc. to maximize dwell time and removal of DOC. So the flow should be matched to the skimmer and you can adjust skim by adjusting air draw for more or less bubbles and the water level in the skimmer for where the foam breaks. That's my understanding anyhow.

Ron exactly you hit the nail on the head... having a skimmer with a controller pump. isn't going to give you a bigger skimmer
you need
1. Contact time caused by
A. wider Chamber or B. Taller Chamber.
2. air bubbles to be finer this will be caused be the air you are letting in and the type of wheel to chop up.
3. yes a pump will help. However if your body isnt matched to the skimmers pump then you are not doing but pushing the skimmer to overflow. And allow the skimer to be inconsistant. turning up the pump on the skimmer will not cause a increase in performance. it will help alittle but in the end if you chamber is not big to keep the bubbles going for contact time. Then you are doing Crap.