300 gal reef re-do

[sherm71tank]

Glad you went with the dual injectors.

 

[jnarowe]

Are you following me?

 

[pcostanzo]

Thanks guys. I'll post some pics by the end of the weekend when its hooked up.

 

[pcostanzo]

I water tested today and after fixing a small leak I hooked it up. Its incredible how fine the bubbles are and how they fill the chamber compared to my old skimmer.

Here is the pump. A Sequence Marlin.

 

[jnarowe]

Beautiful job Paul. That skimmer is sweet. Is the Marlin modded with a NW? That would be cool if you could feed it with a NW.

What are you doing about auto-shut off? Like for an over-skimming event? Do you have a float switch in the collection bucket?

What are you going to do about ventillation for your pumps? They seem to be in a fairly confined space. Are you going to mount a fan/blower to keep them cool?

Live that manifold dude! Just need to get busy with the Brother P-Touch and label it all for tank sitters! :lol:

 

[sherm71tank]

Can I get some closer shots of the beckett riser tubes? They don't look to be filled with bubbles the right way to me. More pics!

 

[jnarowe]

Paul, watch out for Sherman...he really knows skimmers and becketts in particular. And if yours is making enough noise that you can hear it inside, Sherman has a great design for a muffler.

The head looks good though, don't you think Sherman?

 

[sherm71tank]

It is a beauty of a skimmer! Head looks nice as well. IME with becketts that have large "down draft" tubes they fill completely with bubbles and look very turbulant. They don't have the "stream" of bubbles down the center of the tube that yours at least appear to have.

 

[pcostanzo]

You're right. I wasn't sure if thats because it was breaking in or not but the down tubes are not filling with water. If I start to close the output valve the water level goes into the cup. Any ideas?

 

[sherm71tank]

Can you try running just one of them?

 

[pcostanzo]

Here are some close ups. The water level in the mixing box stays the same if I open or close the output valve just the height of the water column changes. Also doesn't make a difference if I reduce the pump volume. No easy way for me to shut down one of the becketts. Maybe I can plug up the hole on one and try it. The pump should put out enough volume for 2. It was actually recommended on Barrs website for this size skimmer.

 

[jnarowe]

based on the picture of the foam in the riser, I am not sure anything needs to be corrected yet. maybe give it some time?

 

[erics3000]

Wicked..

 

[jnarowe]

hey paul, what kind of thumb screws are you using? Are they PVC?

 

[pcostanzo]

They are nylon. Mcmasters Part Number: 94323A322

 

[pcostanzo]

I tried something this morning. I noticed when I first turn on the pump air pressure forces the water thats in the central column up even before water fills it. I remember Zeph talking about an air lock in the injector tubes. I loosened the injector chamber to release the air and the tube instantly filled with foam. I tightened it back up and the foam continued.

I had to cut the air back as soon as I did this. It was sucking way more air than before and the bubbles were getting too big.

 

[ReefingBuddha]

Wow... great job... very nicely done, congrats!

 

[steve the plumb]

very nice work.To bad I don't have the tools or the skills to do this.If I had a drawing then maybe I would think of attempting something like this but I would be to afraid that I would screw it up.You have done such a clean job.I am thinking you could make skimmers for people as a side job.Its not a bad way to make extra money and its something that you like to do.The only problem may be time.Seems no one has enough of that.

 

[jnarowe]

Ahhh...there it is. Sherman will be proud!

I used to use nylon but I had problems with them breaking so I switched to SS screws and use a drill to run them in and out.

 

[sherm71tank]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10776032#post10776032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pcostanzo
I tried something this morning. I noticed when I first turn on the pump air pressure forces the water thats in the central column up even before water fills it. I remember Zeph talking about an air lock in the injector tubes. I loosened the injector chamber to release the air and the tube instantly filled with foam. I tightened it back up and the foam continued.

I had to cut the air back as soon as I did this. It was sucking way more air than before and the bubbles were getting too big.

There's the money shot! I wonder if you can turn the air valves off when you are first turning it on?

Here's where I'll part with the pack on tuning your beckett so you can take it or leave it. I run my DIY beckett with 3/8" fittings and airline wide open. It is called "foam fractionation " right? Maybe give it try sometime and see what you think. Just remember you will have to lower the water level considerably or it will volcano on you. Good luck!