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View Full Version : The easiest? Beckett Protein Skimmer.


Keelay
03/24/2007, 12:26 PM
So I finally documented a protein skimmer I built a couple months ago. I put together a pretty detailed "how to" (http://www.members.cox.net/skyedugger/reef/DIY_proteinskimmer1.htm) page on my web page. Beware: it is image intensive.

I'd be interested in some feedback.

The rundown:

* It's a Beckett style skimmer made mostly from durable off the shelf inexpensive parts.
* Low overall cost. Without the pump it's about $70.
* Transparent: box, body, and collection cup.
* 5.5" wide body holds 1+ gallons.
* Quick access to the components that need mainenence. Screw on lids and screw on collection cup and riser.
* Minimal tools required. Minimal Skill required.
* 26" tall with only 27" clearance required for cup removal. (Fits under most standard cabinets)

Here the completed skimmer. Note the screw-on collection cup lid. The white PVC taper adapter also screws off of the body.
http://www.members.cox.net/skyedugger/reef/images/skimmer_done_sm.jpg

http://www.members.cox.net/skyedugger/reef/images/easybeckett.png

On the website (http://www.members.cox.net/skyedugger/reef/DIY_proteinskimmer1.htm) there are a couple of videos showing the skimmer in action.

Note: I often use parts to solve a problem outside of it's intended purpose.

Also this is the third generation of several skimmers I have built. It does perform better than each of those skimmers (I've learned a lot along the way), but I haven't run comparisons against commercial variants.

That being said, I have been happy with the performance. It's easy to tune and stays tuned for weeks without touching it. The external drain on the collection cup makes it very convenient to set and forget it. I do want to work on reducing turbulence in the skimmer body. Suggestions are welcome.

I'm currently running my Beckett foam head with the equivalent of a MAG7. I do have the input throttled back a bit though.

Inflames
03/24/2007, 02:14 PM
You probably could have put a diffuser plate in their too but if it works then its all good.

Keelay
03/24/2007, 02:18 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9559681#post9559681 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Inflames
You probably could have put a diffuser plate in their too but if it works then its all good.

I've heard of using a diffuser plates. Quite honestly I haven't looked into them very much yet. Any good links to a good implementation of one in a skimmer body?

Overland04
03/24/2007, 08:47 PM
I took a quick look at your site...I love what you did..it was simple and does its job.
Congrats!!

RandyStacyE
03/25/2007, 08:21 AM
That is really cool!

I hope it works out well for you ... I can see it took a lot planning to piece it all together.

Keelay
03/25/2007, 10:55 AM
RandyStacyE, Thanks. That means a lot coming from the the guy with the one of the most implemented skimmer plans.

You know that's funny about the planning. Your right, thinking and matching the different pieces and sizes and interfaces does take a lot of time. I think I only used one thing for what it was originally intended.

RandyStacyE
03/25/2007, 12:49 PM
I know how it is, sometimes something that seems like it should be so simple just doesn't go together quite right.

I can see it now ... you're walking around with one thing in your hand and trying to find something that it will fit inside off :) I like how that threaded cap fits inside of the reducer.

I just came back from Lowes with a few things to make one of these:
http://members.shaw.ca/bomr/Roller.html

It looks so simple, but the plans that are already laid out so clearly have changed in just about every way.

Keelay
03/26/2007, 01:01 AM
Pretty sweet Randy. Doing a lawn or exposed aggregate?

RandyStacyE
03/26/2007, 09:21 AM
Lawn ... we had some new concrete poured and they tore it up pretty bad. I figured while it's still early in the season we should do a bunch of other land scaping.

I'll be pulling this thing behind our tractor since ours will be 5' wide and 12" in diameter.

You could recirc that skimmer too; give it a little turbo power :)

Keelay
03/26/2007, 04:35 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9572342#post9572342 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RandyStacyE
You could recirc that skimmer too; give it a little turbo power :)

I haven't thought too much about trying recirc. For one reason, my current setup is probitive:
//www.members.cox.net/kyledugger/reef/images/systemsetupsimple.gif

Notice my skimmer pump is in the overflow compartment. I get another 2 PSI from running the pump in this configuration versus running the same pump in my sump. That is a significant performance boost for my MAG5 which is only capable of 4.6 by itself. Here's a detailed description (http://www.members.cox.net/kyledugger/reef/DIY_gravityassistpump.htm).

The other reason is I'm not convinced that recirculation adds that much. I really haven't seen studies or data showing that they are better. I honestly haven't looked into that much. I may have just not seen them yet. But it doesn't make sense to me to continually clean the same water. It seems to make more sense to always clean the dirtiest water possible.

I have thought about going needle wheel. It seems like needle wheel is all the craze now. Through my own tesing I've convincence myself that Beckett is the best spray injection method (over downdraft, and spray injection), but it's always fun to look over the fence and wonder if the grass is really greener over there. I guess the DIY forums attract people curious by nature.

I was just thinking last night that I wonder if someone has done a study comparing bubble generation per watt across the different methods/pumps. That would be interesting. Maybe add water volume to the mix of metrics to compare water air percentages as well.

RandyStacyE
03/26/2007, 05:38 PM
I see what you mean, but anything's possible :)

Here's one way of doing it while at the same time eliminating all the electronic components and the Becket.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/randystacye/SHART/systemsetupsimple.gif

Keelay
03/26/2007, 10:02 PM
Randy,
Yep that would work. I do already have the valve there (not shown on my drawing). I really wouldn't be that hard to convert to this. My main focus is cost/performance. I believe that I would have to upgrade to a more costly(to run) pump to generate the same amount of bubbles. That is again based on my configuration.

Here's a video link showing my current bubble generation:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/skyedugger/th_MVI_5766.jpg (http://s54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/skyedugger/?action=view&current=MVI_5766.flv)

I have been itching to get an airflow meter to get a better metric on how this performs.

Keelay
03/26/2007, 10:14 PM
Randy,

If you notice on the left of the photo, the white cylinder looking thing is my air intake muffler. I stole the idea from your venturi silencer (http://www.randystacye.com/diy_venturi_silencer.htm) web page . It works nicely as you'll hear in the video clip. I'm talking kind of quietly since it was really late when I recorded this (wife & kids was asleep) and I didn't want to wake anyone up. But even so, you can easily hear my voice over the sound of the skimmer.

That was a great idea.

RandyStacyE
03/27/2007, 07:55 AM
I got a little carried away with that drawing :) but I've seen some people just throw on a recirc in addition to what they currently have.

I've never used a Becket or a DIY Becket, but do you need the pump for some pressure in order to use the Becket?

Inflames
03/27/2007, 11:39 AM
That drawing makes me wonder if you could use a pump in the overflow + gravity to power a beckett with a smaller pump.

Keelay
03/27/2007, 09:47 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9582033#post9582033 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Inflames
That drawing makes me wonder if you could use a pump in the overflow + gravity to power a beckett with a smaller pump.

You're one to me! That was the purpose of designing the overflow this way. I understand that using a MAG5 on a beckett is a smaller pump. I haven't tried it but I understand that this capacity pump is on the very low end of workable. I wanted to get more bang for the buck (more bubbles per watt) by harnessing the potential energy of the water in the overflow and put my pump more in the average range in terms of performance.

There is a whole long thread (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=958085) here on RC dedicated to modding a beckett to run on lower pressure pumps.

Keelay
03/27/2007, 10:01 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9580470#post9580470 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RandyStacyE
I got a little carried away with that drawing :) but I've seen some people just throw on a recirc in addition to what they currently have.

I like the drawing. It is the clearest way to communicate something.


I've never used a Becket or a DIY Becket, but do you need the pump for some pressure in order to use the Becket?

Every bubble generation method depends on pressure. When ever you pick a pump with a certain flow rate, the pressure that the impeller generates is what translates into that flow rate. Running with the gravity boost allows you to achieve that same flow rate, with a smaller (and cheaper) pump, while making your ebill smaller at the same time.

I actually first intended to not have a pump at all and just use gravity. I first built it that way. It worked, but not very well. At least not on my 100 gallon tank. It would work fine on a smaller system (20-30 gallons) since the height to most systems is about the same (most stands are a standard height). And therefore the potenial energy of the water in the overflow is about the same. You will still generate around 2 PSI with 4-5 feet of height.

Keelay
03/28/2007, 09:31 PM
Is anyone else using this fitting as a bulkhead? It interfaces with schedule 40 2" Pipe but is quite a bit cheaper then buying a bulkhead at $9 (available at HD and lowes)

http://www.members.cox.net/skyedugger/reef/images/bulkhead_brand.jpg
http://www.members.cox.net/skyedugger/reef/images/bulkhead.jpg

dngspot
03/29/2007, 11:26 AM
Bump

dngspot
03/29/2007, 11:26 AM
Bump

RandyStacyE
03/29/2007, 12:38 PM
That looks like it would work. Does that thing have a thin metal plate under that label?

Keelay
03/29/2007, 07:09 PM
That looks like it would work. Does that thing have a thin metal plate under that label?

...I guess these shots don't tell the whole story. I have some better shots at home will post them later.

But to answer the question: no, everything is plastic (ABS). The gasket is rubber, but there are absolultely no metal parts.

The white drain cap just pops off and I don't use it. I included the shot since it had the identifying label on it.

It really has everything a bulkhead has except you can only connect a pipe on one side. (A Slip instead of a Slip-Slip :)) The other side is not a standard size (I don't think) At least it's bigger than for standard 2" pipe.

In my case I was just wanting to find a way of interfacing two containers without gluing or other tedious fasterners. This has a wide mouth (especially when you cut off the 2" receiving end) and is pretty inexpensive. It was a big plus that it allowed me to connect my collection cup to the riser tube as well. Very simple to do and using the same technique as on the skimmer body to cut the hole.

rkl303
03/29/2007, 09:05 PM
LOL I love it...Looks like the most expensive piece is the pump or the becket injector.

Keelay
03/29/2007, 09:55 PM
The white drain cap is plastic as well...

Keelay
03/29/2007, 11:57 PM
Here is the link to the oatey web site. Maybe a little Better pics. http://www.oatey.com/shower_drains/101ps.html