beckett skimmer what is it?

[gobie]

since i have been on this site i have heard many times the term becket skimmer . i know that there is no such thing as a stupid question specially if you don't know. and i don't know could sombody send me some info on these skimmers so i might undrestand them better( pics, links, daiagrams,etc.)
I would like to know how these compaire to skimmers I am use to. downdraft, venturi, etc. thanx.

 

[big t]

Well your right this is not a stupid question, I am sure there are a lot of people who have no idea what a beckett skimmer is. It is basically a downdraft skimmer that has been modified (this is how it started anyway) to use a beckett 1408 foam nozzle inplace of the bio balls. The beckett foam nozzle is a small eductor that uses high velocity (read needs a expensive pressure pump to work well) to create a low pressure zone that draws in air and mixes it to make foam. The origional intention of this nozzle was for ponds to make a frothy fountain. Here are some links to look at.

www.myreefcreations.com
www.barraquatic.com

and here is a photo of a beckett nozzle

 

[moonpod]

I wouldn't necessarily call them modified downdrafts. Realistically they are just skimmers that use "beckett" nozzles as you have shown vs, standard venturis or spray induction (AquaC). On the market currently, there are four basic designs. Becketts, aspirating needlewheels, standard venturis and spray induction.

 

[big t]

All I meant by saying modified downdrafts is origionally they came around by people modifying their downdrafts to run a beckett. Then companies started making beckett skimmers in the same style as a downdraft w/ a beckett already installed. They are really very similar w/ the box on the bottom that has the slanted baffle in it, and the risor and injection tubes mounted vertically right next to eachother on top of the box.

 

[gobie]

Now Is A Beckett More Efficent Than My Standard Spray On My Reef Devil

 

[Katchupoy]

thats a very good question and many threads have debated the same question over and over again. People swear by their skimmers and some hate them... I hope you find your answer that will guide you....

Are you not satisfied with your skimmer?

 

[moonpod]

extremely controversial that issue. IMO, yes, a beckett is better at injecting air that the standard downdraft system. That being said, there are downdraft fans that swear by the things.

 

[AussieReef]

Iam very happy with the performance of my becket skimmer.

I have the www.Aquaticaaustralia.com.au BS-1200 skimmer.

Pulls out a good 1-2 litres of skimmate a day.

 

[H20doctor]

I built a custom downdraft skimmer and used a beckett. I would say its the best injector hands down. My downdraft skimmer out performs anything out there on the market. The injector makes some serious bubbles, and I mean small pin hole sized bubles. I run a little giant 3 mdqsc pump on it and it is a mother of a skimmer