Water coming from beckett injector

[mikey98]

I built my first Beckett skimmer. At the moment I am very un happy with it's performance. First It does not make the milky white water I want, which means I don't get the foam I want. One thing I noticed is that water is coming out of the Beckett's air intake holes. Is this normal? Do I have too much restriction after the Beckett? I have two 3/4" 90’s and about 2' of 3/4" PVC. The picture should show it. I can't be getting enough air in through the holes if water is coming out. Also, if I were to shorten the chamber, would that make a more efficient skimmer for the size of pump? I have an Aqua Globe model AQ-6000 running it now but I can also use my Gen-X model PCX-40. The Gen-X is supposed to be the same as an Iwaki 55RTL. Is that right?

In review,

1) Why am I getting water out of the air intake holes in the Beckett?

2) Do I have too much restriction after the Beckett?

3) Could I shorten the chamber and make it more efficient with a smaller pump?

4) Is the Gen-X model PCX-40 the same as an Iwaki 55RLT?

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

hi.
The vent. valve only works with minimal back pressure, and if there any more than it suppose to do, you will see water coming out of the air "intakes" and loss of venturi effect. This should answer your 1, and 2.

 

[mikey98]

So I guess what you mean is, Yes there is too much back pressure after the Beckett. How would you suggest I fix this. It would be very hard to put bigger pipe in.

 

[fungia]

to answer #4, i believe the genx is a md55rlt clone.

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

hi.

It would be very hard to put bigger pipe in.

Why? Hard is not impossible. :wink:
You can try longer (essentially put the valve higher up) pipe and see if that help...

 

[myreef]

I would suspect that the water line in the skimmer is above the beckett "venturi" holes....this will make water come out of the beckett and not cause as much foam as you want. You can either raise the beckett, or lower the water level in the skimmer.

 

[myreef]

Just saw the picture....I didn't wait for it to DL. Anyway, I would definitely lower the water line in the bottom tube....the MAK 4 is an Iwaki 55 clone not the PCX pump.....If you don't have enough pump power it could be trickling out of the beckett, but shouldn't be shooting out.

 

[Acrylic Guy]

All becketts maintain water up to the air intake holes...thats why you had to build an injector housing. Some other skimmers don't have a clear injector housing but I assure you they too have water at the Beckett. It is perfectly normal and there really is no way to avoid this without altering the housing. A guy drilled a small hole at the bottom of his Aerofoamer and installed a small 1/4" hose which was then directed to the sumps and that worked for him but he runs his skimmer with the air valve fully on. If you need to tweek the air normally this modification may be a problem.

You could also add a tee to the air intake ang run one tube to the bottom of the injector and the venturi effect should pull the small amoumt of water out without affecting performance.....George Adams

 

[t gallo]

clean your injector/ beckett, when it gets gunked and cloged water will spue thru the 4 slots.

 

[mikey98]

The injector is brand new! I don't get why it does not work right. I built it as close to the other I have seen as possible.

 

[Acrylic Guy]

I would try a higher pressure rated pump....Iwaki 70 RLT. A mag 24 will also do the job. It looks like the beckett is high enough too so thats not the problem...
As far as 3/4" pipe...everyone uses it going into the beckett...but coming out the exit it must be 1". Thats the problem...once air is added through the injector the pipe size must be increased or the back pressure will flood the Beckett. I did alot of testing and this is what I found...try it, it's whats wrong!

 

[mikey98]

Wow, change the pipe size after the Beckett! :roll: That is going to be kind of difficult. The Beckett housing I built is a billet machined piece and I don't know if I can drill out the 3/4 pipe threads and still have enough material to thread it for 1" pipe. If I can do that then the rest is a piece of cake. I will see what I can do. I will let you guys know if it works.

 

[Acrylic Guy]

Wow, change the pipe size after the Beckett! :roll: That is going to be kind of difficult. The Beckett housing I built is a billet machined piece and I don't know if I can drill out the 3/4 pipe threads and still have enough material to thread it for 1" pipe. If I can do that then the rest is a piece of cake. I will see what I can do. I will let you guys know if it works.

My son in law machined me some busings the perfect size, one for the top to slip into 3/4 and one to slip into 1" PVC. I'll send you one if you need it. George at 315-452-5930. I build the Aqua-Jet foamer skimmer.
www.acrylicreefsolutions.com

 

[mikey98]

Can PVC be glued to acrylic safely and have it not leak?