the unofficial bubble magus curve 9 review

lockrookie · #1 08-01-2012, 07:26 AM

so here it is i just received the bubble magus curve 9 skimmer. now i had tried to ask the distributor questions about this skimmer and the best reply was..if you want answers to your questions..review the skimmer. i really dont want to get into the whole conversation. lets just say whatever the outcome this review will be more than honest. and i will try to document every detail through its life of my ownership. or its death.

When i picked up the skimmer from Pats pets today, (thanks again pat), my first inpression of the box was ..hoooooleeeee *sensored*thats a huge box.. then my second thought was did i make a mistake will it fit.... we will get to the last thought in a bit..

first here are some pictures of the unpacking process all in all it was packed very well.

i took all the pieces out and assembled the skimmer a few things i noticed that im leary about is how the skimmer cup connects to the body. it really doesn't seat easily but im sure after a year or so it may losen up a bit. the hose from the air diffuser to the pump is a bit short but they do have a second hose if you want to re position the pump 90 degrees. now this is a nice feature if you want to re position your pump. but they put a cheazy plug in its spot that could accidently get bumped off; and possibly cause the skimmer to fail.. i will have to modify this at the end of the initial review. i will have to use the second longer hose to ensure the hose doesn't pull itself off. will it actually slide off .. unsure but im not willing to take that chance.

here are pics of all parts while i set it together:

base plate:

pump and pump apart

diffuser plate

body and completed

flow adjustment an air diffuser

continued...

lockrookie · #2 08-01-2012, 07:27 AM

top down view

lid

so thats all the bits and pieces next post i make is a bit disheartening but fixable.

lockrookie · #3 08-01-2012, 07:48 AM

i then tested the fit for the skimmer knowing i have to adjust the shelf inside the sump for the recommended water level and dagnabbit the fear came alive the skimmer body is 9" and a stupid cross beam on my stand is in the way and only gives me 8" of clearance so i cant even get the skimmer into the sump at this time. regretfully it will be a few days before i can fire this thing up i have to make all the adjustments to that cross brace and the sump skimmer shelf, by re routing teh water flow and draining skimmer compartment i doubt i will have time to work on it until the weekend. but i am confident once i shave the cross beam i will be good to go and the review will commence.

Bblinks · #4 08-01-2012, 08:03 PM

Nicely done on the review so far, too bad you can put it in the sump yet.

Skimmerking · #5 08-02-2012, 03:38 AM

Jeff you were talking about the skimmer cup being hard to seal and it should take about a year to break in. I know that it was a smart ass remark. however its its a really snug fit that isnt good. this is how parts snap and break.
what type of pump is this on the skimmer?

with this curve is it really going to make a difference ?

what is the stand pipe is it hard to move or is it like the bubble magus CS 220 where you would move it and it would turn back wasn't a good feature on the BM 220.

Jeff try hooking it up in a Rubbermaid container and and running vinegar you will get a feel of how the skimmer will work to a point.

with the skimmer going in vinegar at least u can give a somewhat honest view of how the pump and water level can stay consistent of not and run it in several levels of water to see if its accurate or not.

HTH

lockrookie · #6 08-02-2012, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

Jeff you were talking about the skimmer cup being hard to seal and it should take about a year to break in. I know that it was a smart ass remark. however its its a really snug fit that isnt good. this is how parts snap and break.
what type of pump is this on the skimmer?

with this curve is it really going to make a difference ?

what is the stand pipe is it hard to move or is it like the bubble magus CS 220 where you would move it and it would turn back wasn't a good feature on the BM 220.

Jeff try hooking it up in a Rubbermaid container and and running vinegar you will get a feel of how the skimmer will work to a point.

with the skimmer going in vinegar at least u can give a somewhat honest view of how the pump and water level can stay consistent of not and run it in several levels of water to see if its accurate or not.

HTH

i will check out your questions bud and pick up a container tomorrow to test out all that you asked ..your questions are a few that i asked the distributor and never got the answers to. so hopefully we can find the answers to yours and my questions. i will tell you it has a year waranty lol.. lets keep moving forward and review

lockrookie · #7 08-02-2012, 03:59 AM

thank you i want to be a detailed as possible.. i have to upload a couple more pics of this plug they use for the secondary pump loacation not exactly sure how this would benifit someone to begin with but options are options.. ive just never personally heard with all theresearch ive been doing on skimmers having a secondary hole.. if anyone has please chime in i'd like to know how it works for you.

as for the set back well..lol.. no matter how you plan how you think something will always get in your way... inlife... this hobby.. or the granny who cant see over the dashboard in front of you.. ive always believed if there is a will there is a way. my only concern is banging on a chisel under the umteen pounds of tank water i have to find a bit for my trusty dremel i think if i take out a 2" notch from the cross beam it will all be good. the biggest challenge is a cant make too much noise when the babies are sleeping and since they are walking now i definately cant do it while they are awake..challenges lol

more pics to come shortly

lockrookie · #8 09-11-2012, 08:19 AM

The pump is still loud and biggest downside to the skimmer other than that it seems to do a decent job of things but I will cation you running it at 11" I'm currently running mine in 8" of water but it may be best in 9" so my suggestion to you would be to...if you can add some egg crate or glass under the skimmer to raise it to at least 9" and you should be able to tune it from there. It will take a bit to settle In mine took forever. But once it settles in it will work well for you depending on the size of tank your running. I'm not sure I'd use it on anything over 250-300g

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