It is still my 300, just different

[charlie]

IT'S ALIVE............................................. .......................

Well, it isn't new, and it isn't improved, but those of you who have known me and my system for a while will recognize this.

And Michael, just subscribe to this and enjoy

[lostcreekreefer]

Much different skimmer....is it a double skimmer or 2 stages (skimming the skimate?) or what the heck is it?

[charlie]

It is a Barr Aquatics SK4200, dual beckett skimmer. I don't think there are too many left Kevin, the company, I believe, is out of business.

Search around on the net about beckett skimmers, there is a ton of info about them.

[Original Fin]

Lost Creek Reefer, I was curious about that skimmer as well. Here's the wiki on it:

Beckett skimmer
The Beckett skimmer has some similarities to the downdraft skimmer but introduced a foam nozzle to produce the flow of air bubbles. The name Beckett comes from the patented foam nozzle developed and sold by the Beckett Corporation (United States), although similar foam nozzle designs are sold by other companies outside the United States (e.g. Sicce (Italy)). Instead of using the plastic media that is found in downdraft skimmer designs, the Beckett skimmer uses design concepts from previous generations of skimmers, specifically the downdraft skimmer and the venturi skimmer (the Beckett 1408 Foam Nozzle is a modified 4 port venturi) to produce a hybrid that is capable of using powerful pressure rated water pumps and quickly processing large amounts of aquarium water in a short period of time. Commercial Beckett skimmers come in single Beckett, dual Beckett, and quad Beckett designs. Well engineered Beckett skimmers are quiet and reliable but the powerful pumps used in larger Beckett skimmer designs can take up additional space, introduce additional noise, and use more electricity than less powerful pumps. Unlike the Downdraft and Spray Induction skimmers, Beckett skimmer designs are produced by a number of companies in the United States and elsewhere and are not known to be restricted by patents.

[charlie]

Lost Creek Reefer, I was curious about that skimmer as well. Here's the wiki on it:

Beckett skimmer
The Beckett skimmer has some similarities to the downdraft skimmer but introduced a foam nozzle to produce the flow of air bubbles. The name Beckett comes from the patented foam nozzle developed and sold by the Beckett Corporation (United States), although similar foam nozzle designs are sold by other companies outside the United States (e.g. Sicce (Italy)). Instead of using the plastic media that is found in downdraft skimmer designs, the Beckett skimmer uses design concepts from previous generations of skimmers, specifically the downdraft skimmer and the venturi skimmer (the Beckett 1408 Foam Nozzle is a modified 4 port venturi) to produce a hybrid that is capable of using powerful pressure rated water pumps and quickly processing large amounts of aquarium water in a short period of time. Commercial Beckett skimmers come in single Beckett, dual Beckett, and quad Beckett designs. Well engineered Beckett skimmers are quiet and reliable but the powerful pumps used in larger Beckett skimmer designs can take up additional space, introduce additional noise, and use more electricity than less powerful pumps. Unlike the Downdraft and Spray Induction skimmers, Beckett skimmer designs are produced by a number of companies in the United States and elsewhere and are not known to be restricted by patents.

Thanx

[lostcreekreefer]

Lost Creek Reefer, I was curious about that skimmer as well. Here's the wiki on it:
Beckett skimmer...and so forth....

Wow! I never really thought of wiki-ing an aquarium subject or piece of equipment. That is almost TMI on the subject, but very complete looking at the whole reference, so thanks OriginalFin. Now I know more about my skimmer (mesh wheel)!

I do so hate to make a verb from a noun.

[Original Fin]

You bet.

If I had gotten into this hobby before the internet took off, I'm certain I would have quit. Unless you happened to be, or know a marine biologist, I can imagine that all you had to go by were books (imagine that) the LFS, and the reefer community's tribal knowledge.
Anyone who's been in the hobby for more than 10 years, is an automatic Rock Star in my book.

I've had a lot of different hobbies come and go in my youth. Some I still tinker with, and others I've totally lost interest in. Rocketry, RC, Mobile Audio, etc...Hobby mags were always my primary source of inspiration and how-to, but they could only take you so far.
The thing I enjoy most about any hobby, besides friendships and rivalries they foster, is reaching the point where where you understand the fundementals, and your can begin to use your own creativity to do something that no one has ever done before. That's a kind of satisfaction like no other. I got to touch on that recently with the design of my first sump/fuge system.
I especially enjoy reading the DIY forums in this hobby. They provide insight as to the future of the hobby, as well as it's past. They are the most powerful think tanks out there, and they've led to most of the methodology and equipment improvements that make it possible for someone like myself to just pick up the hobby and have any degree of success.
While I'm thankful for the internet, it is really just another tool in the box. The actual magic comes from the small handful of passionate people that have been doing it for so long, so I'm especially thankful for them.

[lostcreekreefer]

So...in it's proper place in the order of the universe, what differences are you noting in your system with the Beckett on (back on)?

[charlie]

Kevin, I am not real sure if it is the skimmer, or the increased flow with the 4 eductors on my returns, but I cleaned the glass on Sunday, and that lovely film that usually comes back on Mondays, is non-existent, and today is Thursday. Now, I don't know about you, but something is goin on, don't you think? What would your thoughts be?

[lostcreekreefer]

nice question ... which one?
I mean when you were using the Beckett skimmer before, did the film return Mondays after the Sunday cleaning?
I know you've always been a proponent of MORE FLOW...I did not change anything in my tank earlier this year except the flow with the addition of 2 more Tunze power heads. Virtually all of my algae on the rocks disappeared over time. Maybe the same principle only on the glass (moving too fast to stick???)?
Interesting question!

[charlie]

To be honest Kevin, I can't really recall how often I cleaned the glass. I know it was last October when I changed skimmers, and again, I never really paid attention to how often the glass got done. I wish I hadn't had to change 2 things so close together, because, you know me, I do like to keep track of things.
It may be a guess as to what is going on. All I know is that I am returning to what got me here, so much for new and improved

[lostcreekreefer]

when did you add the eductors and how are they pointed?

[charlie]

I added them Monday, if you look at post 1556 in my other thread, the first pic shows the way the eductors are. Those things will rip the lips off of an sps coral if I am not careful. The guy that told me that a Sequence Barracuda won't drive 4 eductors is full of crap!!!!

[lostcreekreefer]

yeah I bet those things really move some water!! looks like you're setting up mostly ( 3 of 4) front to back circulation along the top & then down the back, left side alogn the top then down the side? does it swirl around that way?

Do the fish smash into things???

[charlie]

With the sea swirls in there, it pretty much turns into chaos Kevin. I know that the flow in the front of the tank has increased by maybe 5 times what it was.

It took the fish a full 1/2 day to come out of hiding after I got done messing around, but they got used to it and they don't seem to be affected to much by it. They still have their lips, and that is a good thing.

[lostcreekreefer]

yeah, i need to get up & see that in action!

[charlie]

yeah, i need to get up & see that in action!

Yeah you do

[DevonM]

Looking good!

[charlie]

Looking good!

Still on for Saturday around 2??

[lostcreekreefer]

With the sea swirls in there, it pretty much turns into chaos Kevin. I know that the flow in the front of the tank has increased by maybe 5 times what it was.
It took the fish a full 1/2 day to come out of hiding after I got done messing around, but they got used to it and they don't seem to be affected to much by it. They still have their lips, and that is a good thing.

So is it more like a tidal zone or surf zone with this much flow? It looks like the surface is really getting disturbed in one of the views.