Beckett vs. Needlewheel skimmers
- Thread starter alwest45
- Start date
NoSchwag
Premium Member
I have a stupid question that I hope I can ask right..
Lets say that a bubble takes 120 seconds to remove a protein.. What happens if you only get 90 seconds this time around and 90 sec next time around?
What I'm asking, is that 90 seconds lost if you don't go the full 120 seconds in the first pass?
Zephrant I find the same thing, I can't wet skim consistently if there is too much air being introduced. I use very little air actually.
Lets say that a bubble takes 120 seconds to remove a protein.. What happens if you only get 90 seconds this time around and 90 sec next time around?
What I'm asking, is that 90 seconds lost if you don't go the full 120 seconds in the first pass?
Zephrant I find the same thing, I can't wet skim consistently if there is too much air being introduced. I use very little air actually.
The one he got was the Kalk 3 Reactor. It's rated for 800+ or 1000+ gallon systems but I think the Austin Oceans guys tend to rate things on the conservative side. My friend plans to use his Kalk 3 on a 1400 gallon tank. This is the one he got: http://austinoceans.com/products-kalkreactors.html#kalkreactors
jnarowe
New member
I think it's too small, purely from a refill viewpoint. As Brent told me recently, going taller isn't going to mean you can put in more kalk, but going wider does. I am torn about the size, but the Deltec rated for 1000g is the same size. Their higher rated one is about 12" diameter tube but they spec it for up to 3000g.
What is interesting about all that is the size of the system is (IME) essentially irrellevant in relation to the stirrer because the efficiency of the stirrer is related to water flow and stirring periods. Can you get your friend to post his impressions of the stirrer? I'd like to hear what he has to say about it.
What is interesting about all that is the size of the system is (IME) essentially irrellevant in relation to the stirrer because the efficiency of the stirrer is related to water flow and stirring periods. Can you get your friend to post his impressions of the stirrer? I'd like to hear what he has to say about it.
I think your theory about width being the controlling factor is correct. The Austin Oceans kalk reactor uses an 8" wide tube and it is difficult to find kalk reactors with larger tube (but you point out a 12" one). My friend thinks the 8" will be a reasonable size for his 1400 g reef tank. I will ask him to post his impressions on the stirrer. He just ordered it and he thinks it will ship in about 5 days or so. I know from talking with him he has had bad luck with kalk reactors using a pump (the pump dies early and before it dies it makes a lot of noise). He also doesn't like the traditional stir bar approach so the Austin Oceans one that has no physical contact between the stirrer and anything outside the reactor was very appealing. Plus it's kind of cool to watch the stir bar spin up by itself with nothing driving it. You can tell your friends it's a magic stirrer (but sooner or later they'll figure out it is driven by a magnetic field). Still it very interesting to watch even if you know what is driving it.
Zephrant
Premium Member
Considering that Teflon is a substance that is inert to most everything in this world, and is widely used in the medical and laboratory fields, why would it not be appropriate for reefs?
The combination of Teflon stir-bar and UHMW Polyethylene wear pad actually works very well in my experience.
The only down-side that I've found is that it is soft- If your kalk power has sand in it, it may wear out the bar in less than five years. So use better Kalk or replace it twice a decade.
Zeph
The combination of Teflon stir-bar and UHMW Polyethylene wear pad actually works very well in my experience.
The only down-side that I've found is that it is soft- If your kalk power has sand in it, it may wear out the bar in less than five years. So use better Kalk or replace it twice a decade.
Zeph
Zephrant
Premium Member
OK, MSNBC does have an article on Teflon causing cancer, but the 2nd link on Google is The Top Ten Unfounded Health Scares of 2004: Teflon Causes Health Problems in Humans.
So I think I'll just avoid sucking on my stir bar, and worry more about the lead in the power cords.
So I think I'll just avoid sucking on my stir bar, and worry more about the lead in the power cords.
HippieSmell
Occupy Reef Central
After reading this thread, I've decided to make a beckett wheel.
Waylander
New member
Has anyone tried modding the beckett itself? I have sealed the four large holes and will be drilling multiple (20ish) smaller holes. I am thinking of holes on the order of 1/4 to 1/2 mm when I get around to taking a bit home. It seems logical to me but anyone have any thoguhts on it or tried it already?
jnarowe
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8395146#post8395146 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zephrant
OK, MSNBC does have an article on Teflon causing cancer, but the 2nd link on Google is The Top Ten Unfounded Health Scares of 2004: Teflon Causes Health Problems in Humans.
So I think I'll just avoid sucking on my stir bar, and worry more about the lead in the power cords.
:lol:
Well, when I visit the stir bar sites they have a variety of materials but I think the most common is the teflon, and they are designed for use in labratory work. I have to figure that means they are fairly stable!
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
"Needle Beckett"...lol. As if it were possible...lol.
HippieSmell
Occupy Reef Central
Exactly, a beckett wheel.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8402587#post8402587 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zephrant
What if you bolted 4 becketts to a Dart impeller?
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Um... yeah... like that would work... are you guys talking putting a beckett or multiple becketts on the intake or outlet of a NW pump.
sherm71tank
Premium Member
On the wheel itself! Pure genius!
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