What About These Skimmers?

PRINCE_NAMOR · 06/05/2007, 10:28 PM

Has anyone used any of the MRC beckett style skimmers, how do these rate to the others on the market? I'm looking for a large skimmer, and I noticed that they are a lot cheaper than a lot of the other large skimmers.

hahnmeister · 06/05/2007, 11:55 PM

They are becketts, and solid ones at that. Others to compare to would be the Reef Concepts Aerofoamer, Trigger Systems, Barr Aquatics (Austin Oceans), and Precision Marine. There are others as well, but these are the major players. The Barr is by far the best built and quality of crafstmanship, the the PM is the least... but functionally, they are all about the same. They all use the beckett foaming head for air intake, and the reason that the skimmers are a bit cheaper is for two reasons... One, unlike a needlewheel where the pump is a custom part of the system, you must buy the pump seperate, and this is usually in the $150-300 range depending on the skimmer. Two, these pumps are going to be pressure rated pumps, as becketts are not very efficient at making air for the wattage they run at, so they are rather high wattage pumps as well. If you use a mag-drive or other internal to power it, it will add heat to your system. If you run an external pump to feed one, you will simply pay more for the pump. With either, the wattage is much higher than a needlewheel though. At one time, say, 5 years ago, becketts were all the rage... but not so much anymore. Needlewheels have taken much of their market for efficiency reasons.

PRINCE_NAMOR · 06/06/2007, 12:36 AM

Thanks, I'm trying to weigh all of my options before I run out and buy something.

06/05/2007, 10:28 PM	#1
PRINCE_NAMOR Moved On Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 120	What About These Skimmers? Has anyone used any of the MRC beckett style skimmers, how do these rate to the others on the market? I'm looking for a large skimmer, and I noticed that they are a lot cheaper than a lot of the other large skimmers.

06/05/2007, 11:55 PM	#2
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	They are becketts, and solid ones at that. Others to compare to would be the Reef Concepts Aerofoamer, Trigger Systems, Barr Aquatics (Austin Oceans), and Precision Marine. There are others as well, but these are the major players. The Barr is by far the best built and quality of crafstmanship, the the PM is the least... but functionally, they are all about the same. They all use the beckett foaming head for air intake, and the reason that the skimmers are a bit cheaper is for two reasons... One, unlike a needlewheel where the pump is a custom part of the system, you must buy the pump seperate, and this is usually in the $150-300 range depending on the skimmer. Two, these pumps are going to be pressure rated pumps, as becketts are not very efficient at making air for the wattage they run at, so they are rather high wattage pumps as well. If you use a mag-drive or other internal to power it, it will add heat to your system. If you run an external pump to feed one, you will simply pay more for the pump. With either, the wattage is much higher than a needlewheel though. At one time, say, 5 years ago, becketts were all the rage... but not so much anymore. Needlewheels have taken much of their market for efficiency reasons.

06/06/2007, 12:36 AM	#3
PRINCE_NAMOR Moved On Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 120	Thanks, I'm trying to weigh all of my options before I run out and buy something.