dual beckett skimmer plans

[Joey French]

I have found a site which gives a fairly good explanation and pics of a good looking and (hopefully) effective skimmer for my next project. If a skimmer expert could take a look at this site-
http://bluechunks.net/reef/skimmer2/
and let me know what they think of the design, it would be greatly appreciated. This is not my site or plans- I have found this site while researching diy projects, and appreciate the description from the builder. I have the equipment and the workspace available to build it, just haven't ever built a beckett skimmer. I know the modification that I would make to the plan is to use 1" pvc after the injectors, instead of the 3/4" this project uses. Also, if you don't think that this is a sound project, or could give a more efficient example, please, I do need the advice. I have been researching dual beckett skimmers for some time and would really like to get one done for my new tank, but don't want to make a costly mistake. Thanks to all!
Joey

 

[dgasmd]

That is an awesome design with some major flaws in my view that defeated the purpose. First off, I would make the riser chamber 8", then, make the pvc after the injector 1" as you pointed out, then make the raiser tube 60" tall. I would run it with an iwaki 100 split to 2. I wouls also split each of the returns to the mixing chamber into 2 to make it a total of 4. That should really run an extremely packed and populated 1200 gal system!!!

 

[Joey French]

Whoa...this was for a 180 :roll:. If I were to make the changes to the design, you suggest a 8" riser tube and 60" tall? That is a big leap, as I still want it to fit under my stand! Thanks for the input. Anyone else?

 

[dgasmd]

If it is for a 180, then the 2 beckets is an unnecessary and wastted overkill. Asingle with a pressure rated pump should be more than plenty. :lol:

 

[Joey French]

Uh, oh... well, I already have the box built and cut for everything....Anyone see any reason why I can't run the dual on the 180? Bad idea?
Joey

 

[Anonymous]

i think it is a fine skimmer and am somewhat jealous of it.

if it is overkill then don't run it all the time. it would probably be nice not to have all that racket all the time, eh?

 

[dgasmd]

Well, if you started, then by all means finish it. What I meant by overkill is that you'll notice no more skimmate from one vs two beckets.

 

[Joey French]

So, it may be loud then? hmmmmmmm....... :?

 

[68fj40]

I am also in the middle of building a beckett skimmer using the same as a guide. I have a question as to the bow construction.

It appears to have a baffle or supprt piece running to the side or the riser hole. Is this a baffle or just support?

Is a baffle neccesary in the style of build?

 

[68fj40]

Sorry that was supposed to say "box construction"

 

[liquid]

FWIW, keep watching http://www.reefs.org/maco/index.php as we just recently had an Acrylic Fabrication class on building a beckett skimmer. We may be running it again sometime.

Shane

 

[Reef55]

odd question... i've looked at a lot of skimmers and plans for ones... one of the common items is the drain hose for the skimmate. Why not put the collection chamber crooked? By this I mean have the hole for the collection chamber off center, in fact as close to a side of the collection chamber as possible. Then have the bottom of the collection chamber slanted down away from the side the riser comes up from. At the lowest point, put the drain hose. This way your skimmate always flow down to that point and out the drain