Video of my new Skimmer!

MJD 1 · 02/10/2007, 07:51 PM

Good evening,

I was wondering if my skimmer is working properly. This is my first beckett style skimmer, so I practically know nothing about how they look when they run. My main concern is how violent the bubbles appear to be. They are huge and rush to the top of the water level very fast, making quite a disturbance.
There are two video's the second especially portrays the violent bubbles.

So the quetion is: Is my skimmer working properly?

Thanks,
MJD

Ehgemus · 02/10/2007, 07:57 PM

no something is wrong the bubbles should be very small, is that saltwater or fresh water? it looks like fresh to me and a skimmer will not work right with freshwater.

Hop · 02/10/2007, 07:59 PM

Even with fresh water I would expect more bubbles

MJD 1 · 02/10/2007, 08:15 PM

yeah its fresh. Could that be the problem....

MJD

Bobby417919 · 02/10/2007, 08:19 PM

That is not a problem but it is the reason you are not getting any mirco bubbles.

MJD 1 · 02/10/2007, 08:40 PM

Just keep in mind that this is the first day the skimmer is running. Also it is being run with just (now saltwater), no LR or LS, just water.
Here are a few of the specs. It is the the Trigger Systems TS 150, rated to use a pump with 700-1000 gph. I am running a quiet one 4000 with 1017 gph. But there is about 3.5 feet of vertical head...Should this be okay?

Here is the video of it with saltwater.

Thanks,

MJD

Tang Salad · 02/10/2007, 09:13 PM

Yes it should be fine with that pump.
But something is definitely wrong. AFAIkK it shouldn't have those large single bubbles gurgling out the reaction chamber tube.

But sorry, I'm not very familiar ith Beckatts. Have you tried fiddling with all the adjustments?

Bobby417919 · 02/10/2007, 09:20 PM

What is the salinity and temp. of the water?

sherm71tank · 02/10/2007, 09:31 PM

I've done a lot of work with becketts and have never seen one operate like that. I don't think the Quiet One pump is a very good choice, what is its GPH @ 12' head pressure? You need 800 gph @ 12' to run a beckett to potential. Also check your connections, air valve setting, etc..

klasiksb · 02/10/2007, 09:34 PM

From the video, it looks like you aren't getting any air to the beckett.

Bobby417919 · 02/10/2007, 09:39 PM

MJD is using a Quite One 4000 which has a max heading of 10'2" or so. Is does not even reach 12'.

sherm71tank · 02/10/2007, 09:43 PM

If that's the case a new pump is needed. I saw reelbadfish had a Dolphin DP-1200 for sale in the used equipment forum the other day. It is perfect for your application. I'll pm him about this thread.

MJD 1 · 02/10/2007, 09:44 PM

Thanks for the quick resposnes,

There is plenty of air getting into it. The air valve is fully open. The temp is "cold" the salinity is 1.025.

10.2 ft is the max height according to Premium acquatics.com. I fiddled with a lot of the adjustments only to the same result. Is everything going right in the becket chamber? Could someone show me how a beck is supposed to run, that would help alot.

Thanks

MJD

sherm71tank · 02/10/2007, 09:49 PM

A properly tuned beckett will be a solid white tube filled with small bubbles. I pm'ed reelbadfish and gave him this link. You need a better pump before you start worrying about anything else.

ssbreef · 02/10/2007, 09:59 PM

Maybe youâ€™re just letting in WAY to much air. I'm not sure but what I am sure of is that something is definitely wrong with that skimmer. Try restricting 100% of the air going in and then slowly opening up the air valve. See what happens.

jim.l · 02/10/2007, 10:26 PM

FWIW the quiet one series are not known as pressure rated pumps. Beckett style skimmers usually run with something comprable to an IWAKI pressure pump. What does the manufacturer recommend?

MJD 1 · 02/11/2007, 11:47 AM

Thanks everyone,

The manufacturer reccomends something from 700-1000 gph. Would a mag12 work here? i tried letting the air in slowly to no avail.

So everyone thinks its the pump? If so what is a nice pump that is around the hundred dollar mark?

MJD

sherm71tank · 02/11/2007, 12:04 PM

The Dolphin DP-1200 will work great for that skimmer. The Mag 12 is not a good pump for becketts. You would need the Mag 18, and it uses more electricity than the DP-1200 with about the same results.

MJD 1 · 02/11/2007, 12:06 PM

sherm71 can you get me the link for the Dolphin DP- 1200,
Thanks.

MJD

sherm71tank · 02/11/2007, 12:13 PM

reelbadfish has one for sale. Shoot him a pm.

http://www.islandaquatics.com/produc...roduct_id=462#

You can also check out the peformance curve on it there.

MJD 1 · 02/11/2007, 12:26 PM

thanks sherm,
how do they compare to the GENX pumps. The dolphin is a submersible pump, and the GENX are external. I want to run the pump external, so would using the Dolphin be the same as the GENX.

MJD

klasiksb · 02/11/2007, 12:30 PM

MJD, do yourself a favor and don't even consider a non-pressure rated pump. While they will work, they will be inconsistant and need constant tuning.

Spend more and get a pressure rated pump and enjoy the skimmer.

1badbrd · 02/11/2007, 12:42 PM

pressure is important and try backing down the air intake flow, that made a difference too me

MJD 1 · 02/11/2007, 12:43 PM

Is the Dolphin Dp 1200 a pressure rated pump?

Thanks

MJD

boxfishpooalot · 02/11/2007, 01:48 PM

Is the becket injector upside down inside the becket? Because if you take apart the injector and put it back together the wrong way it will do that. Inside there is an arrow thing I believe it should be pointing up IIRC. Or down, I cant remember.

02/10/2007, 07:51 PM	#1
MJD 1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 110	Video of my new Skimmer! Good evening, I was wondering if my skimmer is working properly. This is my first beckett style skimmer, so I practically know nothing about how they look when they run. My main concern is how violent the bubbles appear to be. They are huge and rush to the top of the water level very fast, making quite a disturbance. There are two video's the second especially portrays the violent bubbles. So the quetion is: Is my skimmer working properly? Thanks, MJD

02/10/2007, 07:59 PM	#3
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	Even with fresh water I would expect more bubbles __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

02/10/2007, 08:19 PM	#5
Bobby417919 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 28025 Posts: 261	That is not a problem but it is the reason you are not getting any mirco bubbles. __________________ Started December 1, 2005 29 Gallon Display 29 Gallon Sump 250SE MH Mag 7 Sump Return CSS 125 Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Display/29 Gallon Sump

02/10/2007, 09:13 PM	#7
Tang Salad Algae skeptic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 78702 Posts: 3,098	Yes it should be fine with that pump. But something is definitely wrong. AFAIkK it shouldn't have those large single bubbles gurgling out the reaction chamber tube. But sorry, I'm not very familiar ith Beckatts. Have you tried fiddling with all the adjustments? __________________ Your algae is not special. Current Tank Info: TBD ADA 120-P SPS NLPS

02/10/2007, 09:20 PM	#8
Bobby417919 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 28025 Posts: 261	What is the salinity and temp. of the water? __________________ Started December 1, 2005 29 Gallon Display 29 Gallon Sump 250SE MH Mag 7 Sump Return CSS 125 Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Display/29 Gallon Sump

02/10/2007, 07:57 PM	#2
Ehgemus Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Central City Ky Posts: 1,585	no something is wrong the bubbles should be very small, is that saltwater or fresh water? it looks like fresh to me and a skimmer will not work right with freshwater.

02/10/2007, 08:15 PM	#4
MJD 1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 110	yeah its fresh. Could that be the problem.... MJD

02/10/2007, 08:40 PM	#6
MJD 1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 110	Just keep in mind that this is the first day the skimmer is running. Also it is being run with just (now saltwater), no LR or LS, just water. Here are a few of the specs. It is the the Trigger Systems TS 150, rated to use a pump with 700-1000 gph. I am running a quiet one 4000 with 1017 gph. But there is about 3.5 feet of vertical head...Should this be okay? Here is the video of it with saltwater. Thanks, MJD

02/10/2007, 09:31 PM	#9
sherm71tank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,670	I've done a lot of work with becketts and have never seen one operate like that. I don't think the Quiet One pump is a very good choice, what is its GPH @ 12' head pressure? You need 800 gph @ 12' to run a beckett to potential. Also check your connections, air valve setting, etc..

02/10/2007, 09:34 PM	#10
klasiksb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,281	From the video, it looks like you aren't getting any air to the beckett. __________________ Just a girl looking to build a little piece of heaven on earth, without killing it!

02/10/2007, 09:39 PM	#11
Bobby417919 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 28025 Posts: 261	MJD is using a Quite One 4000 which has a max heading of 10'2" or so. Is does not even reach 12'. __________________ Started December 1, 2005 29 Gallon Display 29 Gallon Sump 250SE MH Mag 7 Sump Return CSS 125 Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Display/29 Gallon Sump

02/10/2007, 09:43 PM	#12
sherm71tank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,670	If that's the case a new pump is needed. I saw reelbadfish had a Dolphin DP-1200 for sale in the used equipment forum the other day. It is perfect for your application. I'll pm him about this thread.

02/10/2007, 09:44 PM	#13
MJD 1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 110	Thanks for the quick resposnes, There is plenty of air getting into it. The air valve is fully open. The temp is "cold" the salinity is 1.025. 10.2 ft is the max height according to Premium acquatics.com. I fiddled with a lot of the adjustments only to the same result. Is everything going right in the becket chamber? Could someone show me how a beck is supposed to run, that would help alot. Thanks MJD

02/10/2007, 09:49 PM	#14
sherm71tank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,670	A properly tuned beckett will be a solid white tube filled with small bubbles. I pm'ed reelbadfish and gave him this link. You need a better pump before you start worrying about anything else.

02/10/2007, 09:59 PM	#15
ssbreef Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 862	Maybe youâ€™re just letting in WAY to much air. I'm not sure but what I am sure of is that something is definitely wrong with that skimmer. Try restricting 100% of the air going in and then slowly opening up the air valve. See what happens. __________________ 180g inwall, 89Xturnover, Deltec Ap1004 Skimmer, Deltec PF1001 CR, Deltec KM 500S KS, Octopus 3000, AquaZone Ozone, 1218Watts-MH+VHO+T5, 120g sump, 77g Refuge Current Tank Info: 180g inwall SPS, 225G Softy

02/10/2007, 10:26 PM	#16
jim.l Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SE. Florida Posts: 608	FWIW the quiet one series are not known as pressure rated pumps. Beckett style skimmers usually run with something comprable to an IWAKI pressure pump. What does the manufacturer recommend? __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 150 reef, soft, hard, SPS

02/11/2007, 11:47 AM	#17
MJD 1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 110	Thanks everyone, The manufacturer reccomends something from 700-1000 gph. Would a mag12 work here? i tried letting the air in slowly to no avail. So everyone thinks its the pump? If so what is a nice pump that is around the hundred dollar mark? MJD

02/11/2007, 12:04 PM	#18
sherm71tank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,670	The Dolphin DP-1200 will work great for that skimmer. The Mag 12 is not a good pump for becketts. You would need the Mag 18, and it uses more electricity than the DP-1200 with about the same results.

02/11/2007, 12:06 PM	#19
MJD 1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 110	sherm71 can you get me the link for the Dolphin DP- 1200, Thanks. MJD

02/11/2007, 12:13 PM	#20
sherm71tank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,670	reelbadfish has one for sale. Shoot him a pm. http://www.islandaquatics.com/produc...roduct_id=462# You can also check out the peformance curve on it there.

02/11/2007, 12:26 PM	#21
MJD 1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 110	thanks sherm, how do they compare to the GENX pumps. The dolphin is a submersible pump, and the GENX are external. I want to run the pump external, so would using the Dolphin be the same as the GENX. MJD

02/11/2007, 12:30 PM	#22
klasiksb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,281	MJD, do yourself a favor and don't even consider a non-pressure rated pump. While they will work, they will be inconsistant and need constant tuning. Spend more and get a pressure rated pump and enjoy the skimmer. __________________ Just a girl looking to build a little piece of heaven on earth, without killing it!

02/11/2007, 12:42 PM	#23
1badbrd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Middletown,Ohio Posts: 281	pressure is important and try backing down the air intake flow, that made a difference too me

02/11/2007, 12:43 PM	#24
MJD 1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 110	Is the Dolphin Dp 1200 a pressure rated pump? Thanks MJD

02/11/2007, 01:48 PM	#25
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	Is the becket injector upside down inside the becket? Because if you take apart the injector and put it back together the wrong way it will do that. Inside there is an arrow thing I believe it should be pointing up IIRC. Or down, I cant remember. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.