ATI Bubblemaster 250

[Clownaholic]

NOT A POOR MAN'S SKIMMER! At $820 after sales tax, this is not for someone on a budget... but what a bang for the buck!!

I drove up to LA to pick up mine, I didn't want it broken in shipping. YEAH RIGHT, this thing was packed very well and would handle the abuse dished out by any carrier.

Construction and craftsmanship was superior in every facet. Fit and tolerances were all exact. Assembly was fairly easy, adjusting the pump connections took a minute because they are soft fit. (meaning they insert a piece of flexible hose into the skimmer body then into the pump and then the pump rests on a rubber cup.) While it sounds complicated, it isn't and the mounting reduces skimmer hum/noise dramatically. I had to check to ensure it was on. In fact, I woke up several times the first night thinking the power was out because I couldn't hear my skimmer.

Skimmate production was impressive. It filled the generous collection cup in under 4 days. The attached photo was after just 12hrs of operation. Keep in mind, I was running a 12" diameter Recirculating Needlewheel skimmer with a needlewheel pump feed. The ATI Bubblemaster 250 destroyed my impression of the previous skimmer.

My only complaint was with the silencer for the air lines. The hole was too small and restricted the air intake. I drilled several small holes around the perimeter of the silencer cap and relieved that problem. I'm very impressed with this skimmer and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high-end unit to maintain their SPS tank (currently running on a 270gal, 340gal total system volume including sump and refugium).

[FishBulb]

Looks gorgeous. It's great that it's silent too.

[GoTakuF1]

In fact, I woke up several times the first night thinking the power was out because I couldn't hear my skimmer.

PTSD from loud skimmers?

Excellent review on a nice product!

[Retzius]

good write up, would you mind taking a close up of the pump? I believe ATI uses the Sicce right?

I have the Extreme 160 (uses the sicce pump) and while I have been happy with skimmate the noise does bug me. Just want to see what your pump has that mine doesnt, aside from that rubber mount to quiet it.

[FishBulb]

good write up, would you mind taking a close up of the pump? I believe ATI uses the Sicce right?

I have the Extreme 160 (uses the sicce pump) and while I have been happy with skimmate the noise does bug me. Just want to see what your pump has that mine doesnt, aside from that rubber mount to quiet it.

I think you would also want some shots of the inside volute and impeller assembly. I think these pumps are all modified but at marinesolutions it's done with a dremel or hammer and at ATI it's a bit more of a precision process.

[Retzius]

Good point FB, volute pics would be nice.

Just found out that this other guy over at RC used the ATI impellar with mesh on his Extreme skimmer and it worked on the MS unmodded and modded Sicces. He says it worked perfectly dont know about noise.

The ATI impellar should look like this and the major difference with the one I have and this one pictured is that the drilled holes are larger maybe adding more clearance to the zipties.



Maybe JJfly can confirm his ATI impellar looks like this

[odyssey07]

Mine supposedly came with the newly machined pumps, but it still has restart problems. Waiting to hear back from Rob.

Let me know if you decide to get the ATI impellar; I might go in on it with you

[Retzius]

You know, I think I might. I am going to call tommorrow and find out the price. Let me know if you want one.

[odyssey07]

Please PM me when you find out the price. Thanks!

[davocean]

I got the BM200 about a month ago, and was a little worried because a couple people told me the sicce made noise, but I gotta say, it's VERY quiet.
And this thing sure does skim well.
Only complaint is the soft connection, but once it's set no big deal.
Mine did startup backwards at first, very similar to my Tunze nano's, but just like those I just put my hand in front of intake and it kicks in.
An awesome skimmer, and nice for sump area w/ height limitations.

[lth03]

I just check the web for those pump use in ATI skimmer http://www.sicce.co.uk/.Their price is very good.Should we do a group order of them to save on shipping fee?
I pick up couple thing from another member last month and He has ATI 150.I am very impress with the performance of it and how quiet it is.

[Retzius]

Thats exactly how mine (extreme 160) started up but now I dont have to put my finger in the restrictor to get it going. Only thing that bugs me is the noise.

Dave can you confirm if your ATI impellar looks like the pic above? I may have to buy that impellar and give it a shot.

[davocean]

From what I was told from the guy I bought mine from (used, and for$350 ) it has that meshwheel.
This is mine w/ 3 days of skim after setup.

[low]

thanks for the review. i wouldnt mind picking up a 160 for my setup - for some reason i just like watching skimmers skim..call me weird, yes, i know

[Retzius]

looks good Dave