COmbo Skimmer

[montepora]

Guys:

I modified my ETSS 800 skimmer into beckette skimmer but since dual beckettes are too strong for the skimmer to handle, I kept one tower downdraft and the other one beckette. Am I crazy??

The beckette do suck in a lot of air and I need to regulate the air flow in one tower so the skimmer would work properly. Will see how it works in the long run but so far, I down grade the pump back to the Dolphin's DP 1200 which is the original pump recommended by ETSS instead of the Mag 24.

What do you guys think?????

[kevinpo]

I'm going to modify my ETSS Gemini 800 and add beckett valves also. What do you mean that they were too strong for it? I'm using an Iwaki MD55RLT to drive mine.

Regards,
Kevin

[montepora]

Kevin:

This is Mrsandman's site and it is what I followed for my modification.
http://members.cox.net/mrsandman/index.htm

Originally, I was running the skimmer when it was still downdraft with a Mag 24 under Mustang's recommendation. The skimmer handled the pump fine only when I clean the skimmer's bioball then it needs constant adjustment. THis is what prompt the modification.

After installing the two beckette 1048 onto my ETSS, I turn the pump on with no air restriction and the skimmer just flooded. The air bubble was huge and no foam what so ever. I waited for about two hours thinking that the skimmer needs to settle in and it was still the same. Then I start to regulate the air and found that I need to shut off both air intakes completely in order for the foam to form. However, the foam formed right under the edge of the collection cup and it is not dry at all even after a day.

This is when I decided to use the old pump I have from Dolphin. It is originally recommended by ETSS and it is rated at 1200 g/h. It is however, samething as after the beckette modification, the foam formed just below the collection cup with fairely large bubbles. I again, regulate the air of the skimmer then it was great.

This is when the crazy idea pops in, The Two Towers I have could combine the powerful air intake of the Down Draft and Foam Beckette head. In this combo, I still need to regulate the air intake on the beckette side but requires no restriction on the down draft side. I tried to regulate both air intakes, regulate the downdraft side, regulate the beckette said, lower the water level in the sump, raise the water level in the sump, adjust the output rate and came with this conclusion- Beckette sucks in a lot of air. HTH!

[kevinpo]

Thank you for the detailed answer I will install air valves now per your recomendation.

Thanks again,
Kevin