[64Ivy]

I've been using an MTC Power Pro IV (Venturi type) skimmer on my 500g for the past five years with very few problems. Lately, however, it seems as if at least one of the venturis gets clogged every week, which obviously affects effiency. Some reefkeeper friends of mine have been pushing me to go with a downdraft type skimmer, specifically the E.T.S.S. 1000 driven with an Iwaki 100RLT. They tell me they are far more efficient. True? I also understand the E.T.S.S. utilizes bio-balls, albeit just a few. Nitrates? I've never been a proponent of change for change's sake, but the fact that MTCs website has been down for awhile makes me nervous too.

[Reefland]

Michael,

I think the way to go these days is with an injector style skimmer, whether it be an AquaC or a beckett injection skimmer, like the MR models. I have an MR-1 for our tank and am very pleased with the skimmer.

Here is a link to some of their skimmers for large tanks:
http://www.myreefcreations.com/pslarge.htm

Scott Z.

[kevinpo]

Hi Michael,
I run 8 skimmers currently. An ETSS being one of them, and I like the Beckett style ones the best. I had a couple of dual beckett ones custom built. I'm only using one right now. It uses a Iwaki MD100RLT. It runs 1,600 GPH through it. I'm very happy with its performance. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to run the other one on my new 450 or not. IMO a skimmer that can run 1.5-2 times your tank volume is sufficient. I can take some pictures for you if you're interested.

Regards,
Kevin

[64Ivy]

Thanks guys. The Becketts certainly seem to be the favorites of the day so I guess I'll be giving Andy a call on Monday. In the meantime, is there anyplace I can find a quick primer on exactly what a Beckett injector is and how it works versus venturis and downdrafts?

[kevinpo]

Hi Michael,
I will take one apart and post some pictures tonight when I get home. I run 4 of the Barr Aquatic ones SK1000, SK1600, and SK4200.

Regards,
Kevin
PS:There are some pictures of them here but I don't know about any beckett close-ups.
http://barraquatic.com/index.html

[kevinpo]

Michael,
I could send you my spare one for you to test out. If you like it you could keep it and pay for it or send it back if you don't. I just ask that you pay for the shipping.

Regards,
Kevin

[64Ivy]

What size is the spare? Coincidentally, I'm also using Brent (Barr) to design a sump for me and I was hoping to do one big 'transplant' of sump and skimmer sometime in the late summer or early fall. I start the research a little early though. So, provided that it's the right size (my tank is 500g so I'd want something rated between 900g and 1500g that I can run with an Iwaki 100RLT) and still available, I'd be glad to take you up on the offer.

[zhenya]

Hi Michael,

I am also running one of Andy's skimmers,an MR-2 powered by mag-18 pump.
Over the 6 years span I had used Venturi type and the needle weel type skimmers(like the Euroreef type) and so far the beckett injector type skimmer had been my favorite(and the most efficient). So,I'd definately give them a nod as well.

[kevinpo]

Here is a picture of an assembled Beckett.

Regards,
Kevin

[kevinpo]

And the three components....


Regards,
Kevin

[Reefland]

Kevin,

How easily do these disassemble and how often do you take them apart and clean them?

Scott Z.

[kevinpo]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Kevin,

How easily do these disassemble and how often do you take them apart and clean them?

Scott Z.

Scott,
In this design you just loosen the 4 thumb screws and pull the Beckett out. There is an O ring on each end holding the assembly together. I clean mine once every few months except the skimmer on the liverock tank which I clean every week.

Regards,
Kevin

[acropora]

I can also recomend the MRC Beckett style skimmers. I did run an ETS-800 ,which is also a down draft skimmer for quit a few years on a 220 SPS tank.I now use an MR-4 on my 450 tank and I am very pleased with its performance. I also use the MR-1 on a prop tank.The performance of the MRC skimmers surpasses the ETS even on the smaller and less expensive models.The major difference is that the ETS reliess on the downdraft effect to suck air into the down tube.In the MRC skimmers the beckett(s) introduce much more air/bubbles into the skimmer.Michael on your tank, I would recomend the MR-4.
You can see it here after only three days.http://www.acropora.net/new_arrival_450.htm
Regards,

[DukeDog]

Kevin thanks for showing and letting us know that you can take the beckett apart and clean it. I had no idea. I had never cleaned mine other than soaking in vinager and water.
thanks
Jeff

[miareefer]

WOW
Did i hear Downdraft someone actually intrested in using one these days WOW i get the impression that most certainly of had there day most have been retired or put out of service . Saying that i still use one over my venturi skimmer but boy did i have to modify it to make it work anything like a modern day skimmer. It takes so much volume of water to make them really boogie and a lot of tinkering with air injection to make them work anything like a modern day skimmer so in reality they are really inefficent when compared with pump size to scum sucked out . My Downdraft runs on a pro SPA pump rated at over 1200 litres a hour and it sounds like a steam train the skimmer is a monster compared to some of the small compact as effective skimmers used these days but i made this baby myself and i find it hard to put her out of service and put her in the basement ..