[alrha]

Quote: Originally Posted by kimoyo The needlewheel, becketts, venturis all use this effect in some fashion. Becketts use the effect after the pump outlet whereas the deltecs, bks, etc. use it before the pump inlet.

Russ, doesnt the Bermuda add the air AFTER the pump (considering that i am just adding any pump onto the skimmer)?

[kimoyo]

Quote: Originally Posted by alrha Russ, doesnt the Bermuda add the air AFTER the pump (considering that i am just adding any pump onto the skimmer)?

Like Pierce, Im interested in seeing Russ's new skimmer when he get its. I've only seen really large bermuda's but they seem like they kinda got an aquac thing going on.

The beckett head is a specific (different) type of a venturi, it has 4 holes and a specific design, needs to be placed in an enclosed chamber, and both draws air in and fractions it (creates bubbles). Becketts also are usually placed high above the mixing chamber adding to the head pressure required to operate them. But a venturi can just have one hole going directly into it to draw air (like the deltecs, euroreefs).

AquaC's, which also use a separate pump, has a chamber thing going on where the water is injected thru one port and air thru another. Attached to the air inlet is a spary injector that creates bubbles. So while it needs pressure, it doesn't need as much as a beckett. I think the bermudas are kinda similar (not exactly) but I haven't seen them yet.

[alrha]

very confusing.
Russ, when you getting yours in?

[masterswimmer]

Quote: Originally Posted by cali_reef The BK, Deltec, and H&S have an air port on the intake side of the pump to suck air into the needle wheel, the needle wheel then chops up that air into tiny little air bubbles. The venturi on these skimmers are not the primary bubble making device, just a way to get air into the pump\needle wheel.

^^^^^^ That's what I was referring to.
It can be confusing. Thanks for the clarification.

Albert, we're just finalizing the order as we speak. If you're not in a rush (do your research) and can wait till ours comes in, then you can see one operating first hand. The first one we get will be going on our fish system at Jim's. The next one will go on the system at my place.

I'll keep you updated.
Russ

[alrha]

26 pages, and just now we start to actually discuss skimmer types

ok, some things i want to clear up / understand better include:

1) Recirculation / Low-Flow / etc - these both are with the intention of allowing the water to remain in the skimmer longer and be cleaned better before exiting? why is that any better than introducing new (dirtier) water to the skimmer to be cleaned? It seems like we are spending more time to get say another 10 parts of organics out of the already skimmed water rather than introducing fresh water into the skimmer loaded with organics that can remove say 50 parts of organic (i realize this is not a scientific term, just meant to give an idea). And in reality, the entire sump, or entire system is recirculating anyway. so why would it be different if 2xtank volume goes through it in an hour or if 10x goes through in an hour, in essence each gallon of water will still have spend the same amount of time in the skimmer at the end of an hour, only it got cleaned of organics 10 times rather than twice.

2) beckett - these require high pressure pumps, is it because the chamber is more pressurized (restricted drain) and a non-pressure pump would not be able to keep up with the required gph?

3) needlewheel - can a needlewheel pump be used on a skimmer that already has a venturi? and would it add efficiency to the skimmer? (for ex, the bermuda pump requires only a regular pump, would a nw pump overdrive it? or just mess it up?)

[spykes]

old school venturi sure draws air through water pressure at high velocity. This form of method i think draws to many big bubbles which mean a lost of surface area.

ETSS and Aqua C uses downdraft and spray injection which allows bubbles to be form bombarding the surface of a water column.

Bubbleking, deltec, H&S, DAS etc.... uses a venturi but unlike the classic venturi mentioned above, this venturi is utilize air intake with compensation of water. The pump sucks in the same amount of water but instead this venturi restricts the water intake and allows to venturi to compensate air for the lost of water. This air is chopped up with a needle wheel which form tiny bubbles unlike a mazzi venturi.

Becketts are modified venturis that utilizes water pressure like the classic venturi(mazzi) but it has air intakes from all the way around. This allows fine air with the need of great pressure.

[twinreef]

cali reef do you still have your barr aquatics or did you switch to the BK. if did switch are you happy with your decision. i ask because i need to cut down on my insane electric bill.

Jorge

[cali_reef]

Quote: Originally Posted by twinreef cali reef do you still have your barr aquatics or did you switch to the BK. if did switch are you happy with your decision. i ask because i need to cut down on my insane electric bill. Jorge

That is the reason I did it too

I sold the Barr and have my Bk skimming the FOWLR with about 350 gallons of water and the 150gallon reef tank is awaiting a H&S needle wheel skimmer. My third tank (approx 140 gallon but yet to be set up) will be reef and skim by a Deltec AP701.

Having the FOWLR connected to my reef was a bad idea, I can't get the NO3 to below 50ppm, even with weekly 35-70 gallon water changes. The Barr with the sequence 6000 were too big for just one of my tanks, it sucks too much power. I do miss the skimming power it provided.

[twinreef]

hey Cali reef thanks for the response. but have one or two more q's. which skimmer would you prefer out of those three now. do you feel that the bk is worth the money. which bk do you have. i have a 180 gallon reef if that help. thanks
Jorge

[cali_reef]

Quote: Originally Posted by twinreef hey Cali reef thanks for the response. but have one or two more q's. which skimmer would you prefer out of those three now. do you feel that the bk is worth the money. which bk do you have. i have a 180 gallon reef if that help. thanks Jorge

Do I think the BK is worth the money? well, I don't think any of the imported skimmers are worth the big $$$ but we are limited in possibilities. It makes it a little better if you can get one with some discount or a used one like I did.

The DAS is a copy of the deltec but with cheaper material(not like the plastic on Deltec is expensive enough to justify the cost to begin with) and really crappy craftsmanship. I think I like the deltec stuff better but the price is just too high, that is why I am thinking of getting a H&S next.