DIY Beckett Skimmer

[elliottb]

That looks fantastic! If I were to do the same, but make the skimmer rated for only a....say....200g tank, think I would end up saving any money?

[JWarren]

That's friggin sweet Frankie!

[Frankie]

Sure Elliott. The original only has one Beckett tube. I made it out of the most expensive material also. I could have built this thing for under $400 easy if i used pvc.

[boozeman]

beautiful !!!!

looking foward to seeing it pulling out tons of skimmate

[fishnu]

I could do that. It would just take me 1500 years and would come out upside down.

[framerguy]

Thanks for the purchase locations and cost Frankie. I have the tools and really think I could build this so I'll give it a shot. Awesome quality workmanship, it actually sparkles!

[deaclauderdale]

Originally Posted by Frankie

300 to 1000 gallons i am told. Should do well on my 120

I think I speak for everyone when I say that we want pics of it running.

[Triggerjay]

Uhmm..... thats not a skimmer... Its a peice of art! Shame you have to gunk it up with skimmate! Great job!

Jason

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by framerguy

Thanks for the purchase locations and cost Frankie. I have the tools and really think I could build this so I'll give it a shot. Awesome quality workmanship, it actually sparkles!

go for it Greg! If i can help in any way let me know.
Thanks everyone for the kind words.

[sasquatch]

Hey Frankie! great job! couple of questions, the injection tubes are 1 1/2 id? Im wondering how thats going to affect output from a single pump ie seesaw effect? what size air lines are you using to supply the becketts? will you be using an airflow meter to balance them? and finally what did you set the distance at for the riser neck to lid, is there any adjustment possible or will you be adding something? Beautiful job of everything hook it up already!

[Frankie]

Thanks Sas.
The injector tubes are 2" OD 3/16" 1 5/8" ID.
The original tubes in the design are 2 1/2" OD. There was a problem with this causing the tubes to air lock. I worked this problem out with Paul on RC who followed Barr's to the spec and had this problem. I tested it out with a lower pressure and it foamed right up, so it fixed the flaw. the very first Beckett skimmer had a 3" down draft!
The pump will be plumbed up to a Tee that will balance out the flow to the two injectors.
The air lines are 1/4". This is spec from the original. No, I don't think i will need the meters. Yet.
The riser neck in the cup is 9". I will be tapping it for a remote waist collector.
Great questions! Keep them coming!

[sasquatch]

hmmmm I never found 1/4 airlines sufficient, thats an easy fix if needed, so its a 9'' riser, whats the distance to the lid? any idea on the psi for your pump or gph? couldnt find the size of your gate valve?

[PEMfish]

[XBwlr]

Nice work Frankie!

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by sasquatch

hmmmm I never found 1/4 airlines sufficient, thats an easy fix if needed, so its a 9'' riser, whats the distance to the lid? any idea on the psi for your pump or gph? couldnt find the size of your gate valve?

I read a thread on the airline tubing because i felt it was not big enough also. according to the results a 1/2" gate was to big and was a pain to tweak. The people who redesigned it and now mass produces it use 1/4" standard on all Ultras and under skimmers they sell. Good enough for me
There is 4 1/4" space from lid top to riser tube. Plenty for a nice head fall off imo. I considered cutting the riser on an angle to direct the foam to the drain hole but want to see how it works with the flat top first.
1 1/4" gate valve. I posted it where the picture of it is.
I don't have the pump yet. I read up on recommended pumps and the best results for this skimmer are either

copied from Barr home page:

• Requires a pump that can put out 2000+ GPH such as dual Iwaki MD-70RLTs.
• 1000+ gallon systems may need dual Iwaki MD-100RLTs or similar for best performance.

or

copied from Austin Oceans home page:

• We recommend the PanWorld 250PS or dual PanWorld 250PS pumps for larger bioloads. If minimizing pump noise is a requirement, we recommend the quieter Reeflo Marlin for this skimmer. Pay attention to plumbing, i.e. minimize unnecessary turns or adapters between the sump and the pump and between the pump and the Beckett injectors.
• For systems over 1000, heavy bioloads, or the ultimate in low organic levels we recommend dual pumps if using one of the above or a Reeflo MantaRay.

Paul, the other guy to build this and who helped me with certain issues has great results with the Reefflo Marlin.