Beckett Skimmer Gurus-

[Tigé21v]

I recently picked up a used MRC MR3 with dual becketts and a Mag 24 on the cheap. I've always wondered about Becketts, so I figured what the heck.
I currently have the skimmer in a satellite 15 gallon tank being fed from a reactor containing Warner Marine EcoBak , about 125 gph. (Needless to say, it's reprocessing a good deal of water.) And I'm pretty sure I don't have the skimmer fully dialed in yet.
Even in the less-than-optimum conditions, with the less-than-optimum pump, I'm really impressed with the amount of crud it's pulling out. So much so that I'm really contemplating going with a Beckett on my next tank .
I'm wondering though if there is anything I can do to increase a MR3's performance, beyond the obvious two- a better pump and a reaction chamber extension. A couple of things that come to mind-
The U-tube mod to direct the flow up into the skimmer body. Worth it or not?
The other is increasing the beckett mixing tube height and/or diameter. They're currently entering the skimmer box immediately after the beckett housing through 1" MPT fittings. If I were to lengthen the tubes to 4' (or more) would there be any performance gain?
How about increasing the lenghtened tubes from 1" to 1 1/4" or 1 1/2"? Or would the bottleneck caused by reducing it back to a 1" feed at the skimmer box cause problems?
Thanks for the help.

 

[Tigé21v]

Almost 24 hours and no replies?
Did all the beckett skimmer owners go out of town for the holiday and leave their finicky skimmers unattended?? :lmao:

 

[mojo~]

I wold leave it as is and run it. The pump is the most important in a beckett. lots of back pressure.

Most people spend lots of time and money only to destroy something that is already working well. if it isnt broke, dont fix it....

Enjoy your skimmer.

Mojo~

 

[redfishblewfish]

I agree with mojo….leave it alone….with the following exception that you actually mentioned;

I am also running an MRC 3 on a MAG 24, but with a single beckett injector. My only suggestion, and I’m in the process of doing this, is to go with an external “pressure” rated pump. My reasoning is less electricity, less heat into the tank, considerably less head loss, more efficient. But you eluded to this in the OP of wanting a more efficient pump..

However, I’m actually sort of curious on how a MAG 24 can run two injectors. Did you simply tee off the pump to feed both injectors?

 

[Tigé21v]

However, I'm actually sort of curious on how a MAG 24 can run two injectors. Did you simply tee off the pump to feed both injectors?

Yeah, that's how the original owner had it set up. I don't the the "milk" in the reaction chamber like you see with becketts, more of a light gray. Pump upgrade is at the top of the list. Looks like I'm gonna take advantage of these weekend sales.:thumbsup:
Looking at picking up a PW 250ps, would this be too much pump? I figure i can throttle it back a bit if needed, but would have the pump needed if I should choose to step up to a larger beckett.

 

[sirreal63]

Go to MRC's website, they list the recommended pumps, or send them an email.