Beckett?

[JimD]

For those of you running a Beckett type skimmer, what pump are you using and how do you like the performance? Id like to get better performance out of mine and the Mag 12 just isnt cutting it.

[matt]

If it's a single beckett, 6" tube 12-24" long I'd go with an iwaki MD40RLT or the pan world equivilent, which I think is the 100PX. If it's 36" of tube or more go with the 55RLT or pan world 150PS.

Those are the pumps that worked best on the skimmers I made. There are beckett mods discussed on RC which supposedly increase the efficiency of the beckett and allow you to use a smaller pump. I bet they work, but in any case I think the most important thing for a pump to do well with a beckett skimmer is to have a good pressure curve. Pumps that maintain flow under high pressure make it much easier to keep the beckett skimmers adjusted.

[technomex]

I use a PanWorld 250 on my dual beckett. It skimms like crazy.

[JimD]

Thanks for the reply matt, Id be more than interested in any info regarding the Beckett mod, have a link by chance? Im definately considering all of the pumps you mentioned.

[JimD]

Very impressive techno...

[JimD]

Hey Josh, my skimmer is a single Beckett with a reaction chamber 6" x 25", what pump would you recommend? Let me know how the Panworld 150 works out for ya.

[technomex]

Thanks Jim. I would think that the Panworld 150 (or something comparable) would work well on your skimmer. The Panworld 200 would work with out a doubt. I have read up a bit on the beckett modds, I just have not had time to try it out.

[JimD]

What about the Gen-X MAK4?

[JimD]

Would something like this work?
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/JimD_photo/100_1086.jpg

[JimD]

Guess Ill just hook it up and see for myself...

[JimD]

What a difference!!! First pic is with a Mag 12... Second and third are with the above pump in use..... All I have to do now is figure out how to get rid of the micro bubbles entering the tank... Yeah, I know I know, I need to clean the skimmer...
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/JimD_photo/100_1078.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/JimD_photo/100_1112.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/JimD_photo/100_1113.jpg

[JimD]

Josh, I have the air valve all the way off and Im still getting some bubbles.... A filter sock over the intake?

[matt]

It is amazing what a good external pressure pump will do for a beckett skimmer. Not only do you get much better foam quality, you're going to find that it's much easier to keep the skimmer adjusted. What happens is, when the organic load increases, you get more foam, which increases the friction in the lines. A pressure pump can handle this without slowing down. A mag pump or something like it will slow down; exactly what you don't want to have happen. A good test is to run the skimmer without any air for a while, adjusting the level so the water is about 2/3 of the way up the tube. Then crack open the air. With a good pump you'll see the level rise up to the top of the tube, with a weak pump you'll see the water level drop with the increase in friction.

For a 24" tall tube (6" diameter) I would guess the genX mak4 would work really well, as would the MD55rlt.

[hobogato]

jim/josh - the way the skimmer is built (for ease of cleaning the beckett) you will never get it to pull no air in. that pressure fitting that i used to make the beckett chamber does not seal completely, so you will always get a small amount of bubbles even with the air valve closed. i think that once you get it adjusted correctly, you will not get microbubbles out the drain, you will probably just have to decrease the air valve and bring the water level up in the riser tube.

[JimD]

These freaking bubbles are driving me crazy!!! HELLP!!!!

[LoneStar]

Do you have a picture of where the skimmers drains?

Are you using a sump or is it just discharging into the display tank?

[JimD]

No sump, Ace built this as a prototype quazi hang on. Heres a few pics....
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/JimD_photo/100_1114.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/JimD_photo/100_1117.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/JimD_photo/100_1116.jpg

[LoneStar]

hmm well that may make it harder to fix but not impossible.

The drain with the ball valve and the 90 degree elbow could be modified. Replace the 90 degree elbow with a tee. The top of the tee would have to run as tall as the skimmer so that you would not get any leaking due to pressure. The other side part of the tee would drain into the tank. This may help some of the bubbles to diffuse before entering the tank.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a142/LoneStarSA/Saltwater%20MAAST/solution1.jpg


Or you could double the drain. Still add the tee but then go down and then up into another drain with a tee riser. The idea would be to help the bubbles diffuse as they go up each riser tube. The tees and riser tubes would have to be at the same height or otherwise you may run into a problem with different pressure zones. Also the riser tubes will need to be higher than the skimmer or otherwise it would not drain into the tank, rather just leak out the riser tube.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a142/LoneStarSA/Saltwater%20MAAST/solution2.jpg

I've never tried any of this but it may be something worth doing (for just a few bucks in pvc).


A third option would be to get a acrylic box made that the drain would flow into...inside the tank. The box would be a 1" or 2" above the water line and then the water would flow into there, and diffuse the bubbles as it overflowed the sides of the box. The size of the box would be variable due to how much water will be flowing through it. You do not want too small of a box that would not all the bubbles to diffuse before the water drained back into the tank. ;)

[JimD]

hmmm, looks like a lotta work, lol.... What about using a lesser gph pressure pump? This ones rated at 1125 gph and I have the ball valves right at half., I was thinking maybe something in the 500-700gph range...

[JimD]

Ok, what I did was to seriously reduce the input flow from the pump to the skimmer and added a foam filter to the return, I think Im going to move the ball valve from the input side to the return so it doesnt tax the pump as much. Im still getting great bubble production in the skimmer and notice a great reduction in bubbles getting into the tank...
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/JimD_photo/100_1118.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/JimD_photo/100_1119.jpg

[JimD]

Its amazing what the right pump will do, check it out...
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/JimD_photo/100_1158.jpg

[hobogato]

that is what mine looks like with a mag 12 ;)

[JimD]

Then whoever built this one did something wrong... :P 8)

[hobogato]

hahahaha i knew you would have something to say about that :D

[JimD]

hahahaha i knew you would have something to say about that :D

lol, Seriously though, Im extremely curious why yours works fine with the Mag12 but this one wimps out with the same pump... If both are identicle in construction, theres no reason that I can think of why the Mag didnt work. Got a pic of the foam production on yours? The difference between the Mag and the pressure pump was ridiculous, no comparison.

[hobogato]

i reallly think it is because yours is HOB and the pump has to draw the water over the side of the tank vs mine which is in sump.

cant get to the top to show the foam, but here it is in action
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/projects/collectioncup.jpg
here is 2 weeks worth of skimmate
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/projects/skimmate.jpg

[JimD]

That could very well be, this pressure pump has so much more power, pulling the water over the top doesnt seem to phase it at all, its 1125gph and its probably too much for this skimmer, Im thinking about going with maybe a 700gph pressure pump... Yours seems to be doing a great job for sure! Thats a beautiful sight! You must have a huge bio-load. If you ever get the opportunity to try a pressure pump, I think youd be amazed at the difference.

[matt]

Jim, I think you need an iwaki 40rlt or the pan world equivilent for size skimmer.

[JimD]

That would be the Pan World 100px, Ill check into that,,,.... Thanks matt! Do they make barb fittings that reduce from a 1" barb to 3/4" female threaded?

[BIGBIRD123]

they have adapter fittings

[JimD]

Whos they?

[BIGBIRD123]

plumbing suppliers...maybe even HD

[Ed]

Jim,

I've got a 1" barb to 3/4" female npt elbow. Yours if you want to try it. I always have better luck with plumbing stuff at Lowe's.

[LoneStar]

Jim,

I always have better luck with plumbing stuff at Lowe's.

Really? My Lowes is the most dis-organized store I've ever been to when it comes to plumbing parts ;)

[JimD]

Jim,

I've got a 1" barb to 3/4" female npt elbow. Yours if you want to try it. I always have better luck with plumbing stuff at Lowe's.

Thanks Ed! Lemmee get the pump first and I might take you up on that offer...

[Ed]

Thanks Ed! Lemmee get the pump first and I might take you up on that offer...

Just say the word - old wise one. :lol