BECKETT SKIMMER- DESIGN "WHATS NEXT"?

[adamsaquatics]

YES, they are great skimmers, they perform wonerful, maybe 5- 10 times better than the best downdraft style out there,but should it stop there? I introduced my own Beckett skimmer to reefers who were sold on other decent units, and they came back with question like,'What happens when the water level drops, does the level in the skimmer drop too"? and,"What about those tiny bubbles that end up in my fish tank"? So why hasn't the big companies addressed these problems?
So I ask the reefer community who own a Beckett design, "What would you like changed to make this the design the ultimate skimmer?" Is cleaning a pain, that needs to be addressed. Odors? Noise? Set-up? UP-KEEP? Durability, Cost? Energy consumption, Water evaporation? Maybe they work too good?
I've addressed some of these problems, nows your chance to voice your opinion.
Thanks Geo

[ April 23, 2002: Message edited by: adamsaquatics ]</p>

 

[SteveP]

Of course everyone's for lower prices, but what I'd like to see is if a modification that could be made to the Beckett valve that would remove the requirement for an Iwaki 100 RLT to drive it aqdequately. Right now, I'm driving mine with an LG 4MDQ-SC, and it works OK, but I know the Iwaki really kicks it into overdrive.

Steve
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[adamsaquatics]

Hi Steve, Thanks for your question. The Beckett runs better with the big pumps because of one thing, Pressure. These pumps have about 12 psi.
I'm not exactly sure how much pressure the iwaki 100 has, but like the mag 24 it does the job. I've done tests with the mag 24 and I've come up with the conclusion that only so much can be shoved through that valve at its given pressure, and you could run two becketts and increase the amount of foam and flow going through the skimmer.
Still with me? I believe there is alot of energy wasted in electicity because the pump is only pushing 1200 gph through the valve. Compared to 1800 gph if two becketts are used. I wouldn't have known this if I didn't do these gph tests.
Many Thank for checking in, GEO.

 

[Jeff Hood]

I noticed everybody uses a collection cup at the top of these skimmers as does mine.

These skimmers are sealed so all the air leaving the skimmer leaves through the drain line pushing the gunk down to the waist collector.

Why do you need a collection cup in this case? Why not just have a tapered end going to a single small diameter pipe that goes down to the floor to a collection bucket with the ping pong ball to keep in from overflowing like most do already. You don't realy need the collection cup on top if you are using the one below. Its redundant. It also seems to me that it would be more efficient at getting rid of the column of foam at the top that is sufficiently dried because once it reaches the top the velocity speeds up, sucking out the concentrated foam. you remove one of the steps the foam has to take and goes straight out the top and not just one side of the collection cup.

Not sure if this would make any differance but should work well.

What would help that large column of concentrated foam get out? Any way to keep the stuff from sticking to the sides? Charged or polar coatings? Not sure.


Just a thought.

 

[kipreefer]

Does anyone happen to have a picture of the design of one of these. I ahev been wanting to build one but havent figured our how to.

 

[adamsaquatics]

Jeff, Glad someone out there is thinking. I've been doing some observations today while using my new adjustable cup I came up with monday.The inner pipe slides up and down to adjust where ever you want it, pretty neat. While playing around with this feature I put the pipe all the way down and that when I observed what you just asked. Well, it still skims somewhat without the inner cup, but the tube being up more allows the foam to fall over and get extracted much better.
Just hold on Jeff, it gets better. You talked about dry foam, I've just today put the final touches on the First BECKETT WITH AN AUTO CLEAN CUP, and it works perfect.NO more taking the skimmer apart. just push the lever and 1000 gph blasts the cup perfectly clean. Anyways, if your getting dry foam the your skimmer water level is too low. So what do you guys think about the latest improvement? THANKS George