Bubble King Double Cone... Red Dragon 3 pumps

125mph · Nov 17, 2021

Just ordered a BK double cone 180 on the black friday sale.

I noticed the pump included is the Red Dragon 3 with the controller.. I noticed some BK skimmers use the Red Dragon 3 while others use the Red Dragon X... Strangely, some super marin's use the 3 and others use the X..

Is one on newer models and one on older models or is it just random?

PBar · Nov 17, 2021

Hello,
Step by step Royal Exclusive is releasing all of its skimmer versions with the new Red Dragon X.
Anyway, if it helps, both pump versions are very similar in quality…
Congrats on the new skimmer, you’ll definitely like it!
Cheers

ssdawood · Nov 17, 2021

I prefer RD3 pumps. I have it on my return, my BK 200 skimmer and one I ordered today for black friday sale, 100w pump and Supermarin 200.

X might be just as good. I don't know. RD3 has been out for a long time.

ssdawood · Nov 17, 2021

One more thing RD3 pumps costs 640 to replace for 50w on skimmer
X pump costs 300.

125mph · Nov 17, 2021

Thanks guys.. I actually just canceled the Double Cone 180.. I just realized it says only for aquariums up to 132gallons.. Strange, the 180 BK's usually do much more...maybe the double cone design doesnt get as much.

I ended up going with a Bubble King Supermarin 160 instead. I have a 180gallon but only 6 fish in there, and I do have a rollermat (Kilr fleece filter) instead of filter socks so I think maybe that lessons my bio load.. Hope the 160 works out.. It says it can go up to 200gallons.

Apparently this one comes with the RDX pump...

Snoopy 67 · Nov 17, 2021

With a fleece roller Scott recommends going smaller on the skimmer so you should be OK.

ssdawood · Nov 17, 2021

The skimmers are all good. You would be happy with double cone too.
But yes supermarin has more capacity than double cone. Finish is a lot better. Hand welded seams etc.
But it also costs a premium.

biecacka · Nov 17, 2021

They are very conservative on their ratings. I have the double cone 200 on my 240 cube. It had 30 fish in and I fed 5 times daily via auto feeder and the skimmer kept up extremely well. I honestly think I could have added more fish. Maybe 15 or so. The skimmer is a beast!
you will enjoy it.

corey

Yodeling · Nov 18, 2021

Super interesting. I didn’t know about these new pumps for BK. The Red Dragon X appear to be rebranded Platinum DC Blue pumps. The price difference is huge! Great news for anyone having to replace a failed RD3 or the original Aksoll pump.

125mph · Nov 18, 2021

Yodeling said:
Super interesting. I didn’t know about these new pumps for BK. The Red Dragon X appear to be rebranded Platinum DC Blue pumps. The price difference is huge! Great news for anyone having to replace a failed RD3 or original Aksoll pump.

Can you replace any a BK
using RD3 with RDX?

Yodeling · Nov 18, 2021

125mph said:
Can you replace any a BK
using RD3 with RDX?

Looks like it would work for a lot of models. Mine is a BK Deluxe 300 and I should be able to use the 60 Watt model. I might buy one just to have on hand.