ATI Bm160 help. noise and mesh material

[ecvernon]

I got a used bm160 from a friend. while he was running it on his system it was pretty loud. right now i have it and the pump makes more noise(a humming, vibrating noise) than my previous skimmer aqua c ev 180 with mag 9.5. that was held back with a ball valve. i read that these skimmers were among the most quiet.
i didnt find any manuals for setup online. i trimmed the mesh to try to cut down the noise and it did help alittle but still loud. the mesh i now a little past the yellow part of the impellar i dont think i can trim any more. now in result of the trimming it is still the loudest thing on the tank and it produces less bubbles and now i have to close the gate valve almost all the way so that i can get the bubble to come to the top.
i think i have to get more mesh and do it over again. where do i get it from?
Eric

 

[DevIouS]

The mesh should not past the yellow disc.

How does the magnet on the impeller look? Scrapes or wear?
Check the grommets on both ends of the impeller as well.
Should be real snug.

 

[JLAudio]

I got a used bm160 from a friend. while he was running it on his system it was pretty loud. right now i have it and the pump makes more noise(a humming, vibrating noise) than my previous skimmer aqua c ev 180 with mag 9.5. that was held back with a ball valve. i read that these skimmers were among the most quiet.
i didnt find any manuals for setup online. i trimmed the mesh to try to cut down the noise and it did help alittle but still loud. the mesh i now a little past the yellow part of the impellar i dont think i can trim any more. now in result of the trimming it is still the loudest thing on the tank and it produces less bubbles and now i have to close the gate valve almost all the way so that i can get the bubble to come to the top.
i think i have to get more mesh and do it over again. where do i get it from?
Eric

Im currently using the octopus extreme 160 (which is a dead copy of the BM 160, same pump, shape, etc. Mine to is very loud after mesh modding it. I dont believe the extra noise is just from the mesh making contact, but rather the extra pulling, strain on the pump causes it to vibrate more making that noise.

The thing is on this particular pump it makes night and day difference to do it, so you have to decide: Better performance or Quieter skimmer? I know it sux but I dont think trimming will make much difference,but Ihope im wrong and I will follow your lead

 

[Killerdrgn]

Hmmm I mesh modded my nw-200 and it didn't seem like there was any more noise to it. That is until I modded the air intake to a 3/4" vinyl tube then the air intake became frickin loud! Good thing I have it in my basement.

 

[JLAudio]

Hmmm I mesh modded my nw-200 and it didn't seem like there was any more noise to it. That is until I modded the air intake to a 3/4" vinyl tube then the air intake became frickin loud! Good thing I have it in my basement.

The NW 200 uses the ocean runner pumps, when I meshed that I also didnt notice any more noise from pump but just from venturi, However with the Sicce its 3 times louder and its not the air line because mine comes with a silence, its an annoying humming and vibrating from the pump.

 

[DevIouS]

I know it sux but I dont think trimming will make much difference

It will JL...

If the mesh mod is not done correctly the impeller will not run "balanced" causing the vibration.
Check the magnet for scrapes or wear to see if it is hitting the sides of the pump & also check that the rubber grommets are not worn.
Continuous runs will cause the mesh to loosen up which is the reason it needs to be trimmed.

 

[JLAudio]

It will JL...

If the mesh mod is not done correctly the impeller will not run "balanced" causing the vibration.
Check the magnet for scrapes or wear to see if it is hitting the sides of the pump & also check that the rubber grommets are not worn.
Continuous runs will cause the mesh to loosen up which is the reason it needs to be trimmed.

When I first set up I trimmed it to perfection, because I couldnt get it to run with the mesh and it was brand new. Every time I restart it I have to Blow into the airline. Im going to check other things you suggested, to see if mesh got loose or one of the other things you mentioned

 

[DevIouS]

Maybe you used too much mesh making 1 side of the impeller too heavy??

 

[qy7400]

I'm running a BM200 with the mesh, skimmers runs real quite. I do get the stutter on some restarts but pump starts after a few seconds, never and to help it along.

 

[JLAudio]

Maybe you used too much mesh making 1 side of the impeller too heavy??

I dont think so. I tried to do 2 layers but it wouldnt start than I reduced it to one layer and trimmed it crazy tight. I think my problem might have to do with the magnet or somethingelse in there, being that fact that I bought it new and did the mesh mod on multiple skimmers and never had a problem with it.

 

[ecvernon]

wow thanks guys i will check on all this stuff later tonight.

but before i do anything permanent i will take some pictures and get some advice.

another question i wanted to buy some more mesh material. what do yall guys think of this website?
http://www.meshmod.net/
I want to place an order so i could have on hand in case i screw up.
and which mesh should i go with ? the PF4 or the PF5?

 

[ecvernon]

i read somewhere else that i should get the flatback pf4 mesh....i ordered it and i will wait till it arrives before i try to take a look at the pump. i will def keep you guy posted. Thanks

 

[GQ22]

what mesh mod are people referring to? I have the same skimmer, came with the pump and the mesh and the thing is dead silent.

 

[ecvernon]

checking out the pump for problems

i got the new mesh in so i could replace it.

i did find two potential problems.

1st on the yellow part of the impeller there is some wear like something was rubbing on it but i found no obstructions.
2nd the ceramic shaft has a a gap in it im not sure if its supposed to be this way

 

[ecvernon]

so far i have changed the mesh with new ones i used 3 layers this time its making alot more bubbles now but still same noise.

let me know if a picture would be needed so you guys can give me some advice

 

[Killerdrgn]

oh you should have used fishing line instead of the zip ties.

 

[ecvernon]

ohh i think i came accross that while reading alot of people did not reallty see much of a difference. i believe it comes brand new with zipties right?

oh you should have used fishing line instead of the zip ties.

 

[DevIouS]

oh you should have used fishing line instead of the zip ties.

ATI skimmers have Zip ties on their mesh from the factory. Those pics are before he did the mod to it..


The way the mesh is (in the 1st pic), seems to be ok. A little more timming but nothing major. I don't think it needed replacing but something is causing the impeller to run imbalanced, as it has the wear mark.
What was your outcome on the rubber grommet condition (rubber on both ends)?

Any wear inside the pump?

Also, let the impeller dry out & take a look at the magnet. Any scratches or gashes?

Run the pump alone in a bucket. Still rattling?

The gap between the impeller & shaft is normal, but honestly I can't recall if the impeller can easily move up & down...:scratch: