beckett enclosure

[slug]

I was having trouble getting the tiny bubbles I wanted with my diy beckett skimmer because the enclosure for the fountain head leaked air. While looking for ideas to make it better I came across a perfect pre-built enclosure. The beckett fits in it perfectly, anyone know what it is?

 

[slug]

apart

 

[geo]

Hi,
That is a PVC span coupling. It is used to repair broken PVC pipe. I like to use them on the output of protein skimmers.

 

[Bryan]

What is the size of the fitting.

-=Bryan=-

 

[slug]

It is 1"

 

[thesaent14]

i have 1??? after you make this does it need to be clean at some point

 

[slug]

Eventually something will get caught in your beckett and you'll want to take it out and clean it...

 

[thesaent14]

do you have any pics and does it work really good for you have any one built one skimmer as a diy with 4 of this and how it works i am intrest in making a skimmer with this type

 

[stugray]

I built this same encloseure, and it works pretty good ( once you figure out how to make the beckett fit inside ).

I have one issue: The becket is leaking from the seam above the air holes. The leak is big enough that water leaks out of the air hole in the enclosure. The only thing I could think of was to glue the beckett together with model airplane glue, and tape it good. I wasnt positive if the plastic of the beckett was the proper type for the glue, but I'll know tonight when I see if it bonded.

Anyone else have this problem with a beckett?

I tested the beckett all by itself with the parts that came with it, and it still leaks, so it's not how I fit it in the enclosure.

I am using a MAG 9.5 to drive it.

I am wondering if it is a cheap knock-off, and not the real thing....

Stu

 

[slug]

Better pictures

I can't imagine this thing leaking water. Originally the reason I put the beckett in this thing is to reduce the amount of air it sucks in.

 

[thesaent14]

do you have some type of plan or anyting i can built a similar skimmer like the mrc i have the tools and material just need to see some pictures of the actual skimmer or detales and what i have to do in the inside of the skimmer any one is crazy like me but i am trying to built one i have the idea but dont know how is it in side the contaener thanks please help

 

[stugray]

slug,

Thanks for the link.

I built mine almost the same.

I dont have any rubber o-rings. One end ( the smaller ) still has the beckett factory 'sleeve' to keep it together, it slipped into the upper portion with little sanding.

The lower I removed the factory piece & just wraped with teflon tape until it fits snugly into the bottom of the fitting.

I also got the exact same air valve to fit in with no Tap. I drilled it to 1/2, then expanded the hole with my dremmel until the valve would just barely fit, the threads will 'catch' just fine and hold water tight ( I would never try that with 40 PSI water supply however ).

As I stated, I took the Beckett with all factory pieces, and I stuck it into a 1" Vinyl tubing ( It fit perfectly, I had to cut the tubing off to get it loose ). I then connected the 1" vinyl to my Mag 9.5.

Next I dipped the 'output' side of the beckett into the surface of my sump & turned on the pump. It blew bubbles like crazy, but there was major leakage from the seam between the two halves above the air holes ( the pressurized side ).

The glue appeared to hold, so I will tape the outside of the beckett with some space-flight teflon tape for added insurance and stick it back in.

I'll post if it works. ( BTW this is for my 5 Gallon Bucket Skimmer thread on rocky Mountain Reef Central Forum ).

As I said, I bet I got a cheap knock-off, and not a real Beckett ( it still says Beckett - Made in china on the lower bushing face )

Stu