My new skimmer Video! With new pump!

MJD 1 · 02/19/2007, 04:05 PM

Alright,

I posted a video here about my Trigger Systems TS 150 beckett protein skimmer. I was told to upgrade the pump from a quiet one 4000 to a better one. So I bought the GenX PCX 40. I plumbed it on to the skimmer and since I have no knowledge about a beckett skimmer I am not sure if it is working correctly.

When observing the video's please keep in mind that the skimmer is running on 15 gallons of fresh saltwater, nothing else. Also it has only been running for a couple hours.

The first video is the skimmer with the Quiet one 400. The second is with the GenX PCX 40.

Comments are greatly appreciated,

Thanks,
MJD

Beenalongtime79 · 02/19/2007, 04:34 PM

MJD... the mak4 performs far better than the quiet one as its pressure rating is far higher and that's very clear from the videos comparing the two.

One thing I would suggest is to gang down on the airvalve a little bit to decrease the size of the bubbles (thus decreasing the turbulence). I would also raise the water height to the neck of the skimmer and drop the bubbles down in size by restricting airflow. Wait a day and see where that gets you. You shouldn't see much of anything if that is fresh saltwater with no sand, rock, or livestock. You can only really tell how to calibrate it once you've got livestock in there or something that produces waste and organics for the skimmer to skim.

Once you've reached that perfect balance, then just remember your settings, clean out the airvalve and beckett every other week and you should be set.

You've definitely taken a step in the right direction by using that much better pump.

Good luck!
John H.

MJD 1 · 02/19/2007, 04:56 PM

Thanks rufio,

According to the skimmer manual... I should run the water level where it is, and also have the air valve open all the way.

I definitely noticed a power difference in water movement in favor of the GenX. I guess I can can only be sure if its working when i have the Live sand and LR in the tank...

All comments are welcome,

MJD

klasiksb · 02/19/2007, 04:59 PM

From my experience with Becketts, you won't have your air close to open to get the smallest bubble size. Probably half way open or less.

Beenalongtime79 · 02/19/2007, 05:11 PM

Well... I'm not a huge proponent of becketts anymore (used to be a big fan back in the day) as I feel NWs have now taken the throne for undisputed king of skimming.

Anyways, klasiksb is right... unless you are slamming that one beckett with like an iwaki md 70rlt or even md100rlt, you'll need to gang down on that air valve to get bubbles the right size to decrease turbulence at the surface where your skimmate will begin to form. However, you are also right in that you will only know once you've got junk in the system to skim.

The more junk in your tank, the tighter and smaller the bubbles become irregardless of whether you are messing with the valve or not.

I'm sure it will work well once you've got all things setup.

Cheers,
John H.

MJD 1 · 02/19/2007, 05:40 PM

Thanks rufio,

that helps alot and is pretty reassuring.

Is there anyone else who can back these two up?

MJD

MJD 1 · 02/19/2007, 06:44 PM

Its not that I dont trust rufio or klasik, its just that I would prefer a more broad opinion.

Anyone?

MJd

02/19/2007, 04:05 PM	#1
MJD 1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 110	My new skimmer Video! With new pump! Alright, I posted a video here about my Trigger Systems TS 150 beckett protein skimmer. I was told to upgrade the pump from a quiet one 4000 to a better one. So I bought the GenX PCX 40. I plumbed it on to the skimmer and since I have no knowledge about a beckett skimmer I am not sure if it is working correctly. When observing the video's please keep in mind that the skimmer is running on 15 gallons of fresh saltwater, nothing else. Also it has only been running for a couple hours. The first video is the skimmer with the Quiet one 400. The second is with the GenX PCX 40. Comments are greatly appreciated, Thanks, MJD

02/19/2007, 04:59 PM	#4
klasiksb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,281	From my experience with Becketts, you won't have your air close to open to get the smallest bubble size. Probably half way open or less. __________________ Just a girl looking to build a little piece of heaven on earth, without killing it!

02/19/2007, 04:34 PM	#2
Beenalongtime79 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 4,437	MJD... the mak4 performs far better than the quiet one as its pressure rating is far higher and that's very clear from the videos comparing the two. One thing I would suggest is to gang down on the airvalve a little bit to decrease the size of the bubbles (thus decreasing the turbulence). I would also raise the water height to the neck of the skimmer and drop the bubbles down in size by restricting airflow. Wait a day and see where that gets you. You shouldn't see much of anything if that is fresh saltwater with no sand, rock, or livestock. You can only really tell how to calibrate it once you've got livestock in there or something that produces waste and organics for the skimmer to skim. Once you've reached that perfect balance, then just remember your settings, clean out the airvalve and beckett every other week and you should be set. You've definitely taken a step in the right direction by using that much better pump. Good luck! John H.

02/19/2007, 04:56 PM	#3
MJD 1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 110	Thanks rufio, According to the skimmer manual... I should run the water level where it is, and also have the air valve open all the way. I definitely noticed a power difference in water movement in favor of the GenX. I guess I can can only be sure if its working when i have the Live sand and LR in the tank... All comments are welcome, MJD

02/19/2007, 05:11 PM	#5
Beenalongtime79 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 4,437	Well... I'm not a huge proponent of becketts anymore (used to be a big fan back in the day) as I feel NWs have now taken the throne for undisputed king of skimming. Anyways, klasiksb is right... unless you are slamming that one beckett with like an iwaki md 70rlt or even md100rlt, you'll need to gang down on that air valve to get bubbles the right size to decrease turbulence at the surface where your skimmate will begin to form. However, you are also right in that you will only know once you've got junk in the system to skim. The more junk in your tank, the tighter and smaller the bubbles become irregardless of whether you are messing with the valve or not. I'm sure it will work well once you've got all things setup. Cheers, John H.

02/19/2007, 05:40 PM	#6
MJD 1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 110	Thanks rufio, that helps alot and is pretty reassuring. Is there anyone else who can back these two up? MJD

02/19/2007, 06:44 PM	#7
MJD 1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 110	Its not that I dont trust rufio or klasik, its just that I would prefer a more broad opinion. Anyone? MJd