A Different Beckett Housing Design
- Thread starter weatherson
- Start date
weatherson
Premium Member
clutchcargo: Thanks and I will shortly. It still seems to be breaking in even with a full day of running.
SUMMERS: Thanks. It is relatively heavy but I don't plan to move it about much so this is fine.
With the extension tube in place, the overall height is 51". Without, it's 42". The pump is an Iwaki 100. I have no plans for a bigger tank as the 240-gallon is plenty large for the moment.
Kimo: Thank you very much. It's nice to hear someone appreciate the artistic values as well. There's no reason why all this equipment needs to be lacking in this regard. As stated above, it's only been up and running for a day but it's foaming quite nicely so far. It is still improving so I'm pleased. My old skimmer, while not up to this versions abilities, did a good job so it's not as if the tank has become a cesspool. I do feed heavily though so it has its work cut out for it.
platapus: Thanks for the kind words. As above, an Iwaki 100 and I will get some working photos posted shortly.
steve68: Several words... Thank you very much.
Joseph
SUMMERS: Thanks. It is relatively heavy but I don't plan to move it about much so this is fine.
With the extension tube in place, the overall height is 51". Without, it's 42". The pump is an Iwaki 100. I have no plans for a bigger tank as the 240-gallon is plenty large for the moment. Kimo: Thank you very much. It's nice to hear someone appreciate the artistic values as well. There's no reason why all this equipment needs to be lacking in this regard.
As stated above, it's only been up and running for a day but it's foaming quite nicely so far. It is still improving so I'm pleased. My old skimmer, while not up to this versions abilities, did a good job so it's not as if the tank has become a cesspool. I do feed heavily though so it has its work cut out for it.platapus: Thanks for the kind words. As above, an Iwaki 100 and I will get some working photos posted shortly.
steve68: Several words... Thank you very much.
Joseph
weatherson
Premium Member
shaw & aesop: Thanks for the kind words.
So, it's been up and running a day and a half and it's starting to produce some good quality gunk. I decided to put the extension on, as you will see in the photos. I still need to get the proper size plastic bolts and some more wing nuts. I raised the whole skimmer on a platform of two cinder blocks I painted. This is so I can utilize the drain better when needed. You can see how the foam lays over to the short side of the top cylinder. This worked well on my old skimmer and continues to do so with this version. In addition, if you look closely, you can see the water level in the indicator rod at the front. I altered this slightly with the tube running up beyond the top of the skimmer.
Enough jabber, here's the shots. First, a full shot and then slightly closer for better gunk viewing.
Joseph
So, it's been up and running a day and a half and it's starting to produce some good quality gunk.
I decided to put the extension on, as you will see in the photos. I still need to get the proper size plastic bolts and some more wing nuts. I raised the whole skimmer on a platform of two cinder blocks I painted. This is so I can utilize the drain better when needed. You can see how the foam lays over to the short side of the top cylinder. This worked well on my old skimmer and continues to do so with this version. In addition, if you look closely, you can see the water level in the indicator rod at the front. I altered this slightly with the tube running up beyond the top of the skimmer. Enough jabber, here's the shots. First, a full shot and then slightly closer for better gunk viewing.
Joseph
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weatherson
Premium Member
dattack: I'm running it with an Iwaki 100.
Dazureus: Thanks. I appreciate your comments.
Diatom: Thanks and I have no definate idea of how many hours as it was done over many different days. If I had to guess, I would say about 30 hours total.
Joseph
Dazureus: Thanks. I appreciate your comments.
Diatom: Thanks and I have no definate idea of how many hours as it was done over many different days. If I had to guess, I would say about 30 hours total.
Joseph
weatherson
Premium Member
Kimo: That was a simple addition and definitely helps to prevent a smelly room. It's simply a cup shaped cylinder with a hose barb at the bottom, egg-crate suspended above the bottom inside and nylon screen on top of this. Then carbon fills the top portion. I am running ozone and do so through the air inlet (valve) on the rear Beckett injector. Although, with the control settings where I have them, it rarely comes on. My ORP stays steady at around 450. Thanks for your comments.
Joseph
It's simply a cup shaped cylinder with a hose barb at the bottom, egg-crate suspended above the bottom inside and nylon screen on top of this. Then carbon fills the top portion. I am running ozone and do so through the air inlet (valve) on the rear Beckett injector. Although, with the control settings where I have them, it rarely comes on. My ORP stays steady at around 450. Thanks for your comments.Joseph
weatherson
Premium Member
Kimo: I do use ozone safe hose from the generator to the skimmer. For the amount of ozone I use, I'm not worried. I've run it through my previous skimmer for almost 8 years with no ill effects. It was made of like materials as on the new version. I believe that the concentration levels are so low that it's not an issue.
Joseph
For the amount of ozone I use, I'm not worried. I've run it through my previous skimmer for almost 8 years with no ill effects. It was made of like materials as on the new version. I believe that the concentration levels are so low that it's not an issue.Joseph
purplehaze
New member
How many mg/l of ozone do you inject into your skimmer?
weatherson
Premium Member
purplehaze: I run an Ozotech 150 mg/hr ozone generator with cold corona discharge. It has a variable level control of which I leave set at 2 on a scale of 0 to 10. My AquaController handles the on/off control with an on at an ORP reading of anything less than 400. As I mentioned above, my tank rarely drops below 450. So, the short answer is anywhere between very little and I don't know.
Joseph
Joseph
purplehaze
New member
I mean mg/hr
Has your tank shown a big improvement with the ozone?
Has your tank shown a big improvement with the ozone?
weatherson
Premium Member
purplehaze: I can't say as I've always run ozone on my tank. I can say that I've noticed how the tank looks brighter just after the ozone generator was on for some time. It definitely removes color and clarifies the water. I also ran it heavier than usual during a brief battle with ick (long story) along with garlic and Beta Glucan mixed in with the fish food. I won the war but I couldn't tell you specifically that the ozone contributed or not. I just tried everything I could and in the end, eliminated all signs of disease and stress.
Joseph
Joseph
weatherson
Premium Member
Gujustud: Thanks and there's no secret. It's just that most everyone chooses not to do what it takes. That is preparation, preparation and preparation. All too often, this is bypassed in search of instant gratification. Unfortunately, the result from this thought process is usually less than spectacular. So, sanding and scraping are mandatory. I typically start with 120 grit for descent surfaces and 80 for the severely marred. Then 240 and finally 320. I use a buffing wheel on a stand-mounted grinder with proper plastic buffing compound. It takes about four passes to achieve perfect clarity. The areas not accessible by the buffer I flame smooth. This is a bit more difficult to master but with practice can prove to be equal to buffing. I just prefer to heat the plastic as little as possible so when not absolutely mandatory, I will go to the buffing wheel. Flaming takes great attention and a steady hand with eye-hand coordination. There's a point just after achieving the smooth finish where it all turns ugly. Let's just say that it's easier to ruin a piece than it is to get it right.
Joseph
All too often, this is bypassed in search of instant gratification. Unfortunately, the result from this thought process is usually less than spectacular. So, sanding and scraping are mandatory. I typically start with 120 grit for descent surfaces and 80 for the severely marred. Then 240 and finally 320. I use a buffing wheel on a stand-mounted grinder with proper plastic buffing compound. It takes about four passes to achieve perfect clarity. The areas not accessible by the buffer I flame smooth. This is a bit more difficult to master but with practice can prove to be equal to buffing. I just prefer to heat the plastic as little as possible so when not absolutely mandatory, I will go to the buffing wheel. Flaming takes great attention and a steady hand with eye-hand coordination. There's a point just after achieving the smooth finish where it all turns ugly. Let's just say that it's easier to ruin a piece than it is to get it right.Joseph
