Pressure pumps?

[sphelps]

easiest way to measure the flow is to put a bucket on the output line and time how long it takes to fill a certain amount of volume. Not super easy if it's all plumbed up but a simple task otherwise. If it's all hard plumbed up making that task undesirable drill and tap an 1/8 NPT hole in the output pipe from the pump somewhere, then you thread in a pressure gauge to measure pressure to determine flow rate. You can screw a plastic plug in the hole when you're done.

If you really want to hit that kind of volume you might need two pumps. Hard to believe a skimmer needs 4000gph turnover and require that kind of power consumption. Sounds like a new skimmer would pay for itself pretty quickly

[sphelps]

You probably already know this but manufacture recommends two MAG 24s pumps to run that skimmer.

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by sphelps

You probably already know this but manufacture recommends two MAG 24s pumps to run that skimmer.

Where did you get that info. He personally told me two rio hf32. Which I don't really wanna use

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

Where did you get that info. He personally told me two rio hf32. Which I don't really wanna use

All the sites I could find that sell them recommend MAG pumps, MAG 24 for the 2000gph Beckett. I assumed that came from the manufacture since it seemed pretty consistent but I guess not.

http://www.marineandreef.com/
http://www.aquariumshine.com/
http://www.baycityreefsupply.com/

[Skimmerking]

Marko Becketts are power pigs. I have ran 21", 24,28,36,48,72" becketts you dont have to run that powerful pump to each beckett. When i ran my 72 " dual beckett I had a MAK 5 running it and had a crap load of head foam like 36" tall. if you can achieve about 1000GPH thro a beckett then you are golden. the trick is the pressure pumps thou. running a mag 24 will do the trick. However u will find that you will alot of head pressure due to it not being a pressure rated pump. if you want to talk more becketts are my speciality skimmers too. Like DC pumps are Sphelps fav to have knowledge about.

shoot me a PM with your number i can call you tonight if you want too.

[sphelps]

Seems to me these Beckett skimmers should come with a pressure vs flow curve so you line up the appropriate pump. To just specify a flow rate makes no sense but then again the whole concept makes little sense, kind of like driving a lifted one tonne with 30" wheels downtown to work everyday.

[MarkoD]

Lol

The skimmer is running fine right now and skimming well. (With the addition of the air pump). I was just wondering if there would be a solution that could eliminate the air pump.

I don't think buying a new skimmer would really save me any money for the same skimming capacity. How much does an energy efficient skimmer rated for 1000 gallons cost ?

I feel like running a barracuda and a 65w air pump is reasonable power consumption for a skimmer of that size. But correct me if I'm wrong

[Skimmerking]

Marko I don't know why you are using a air pump when you are ramming a beckett skimmer with a big pump. not saying you are wrong, but when you have all that water pushing through the little holes in the beckett skimmer. you are making millions and millions of bubbles when you open the air valve how much air do you have going into this beckett. can you shoot me a picture. if you are now getting a lot of air you may have the beckets in upside down. it can happen and still work.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

Lol

The skimmer is running fine right now and skimming well. (With the addition of the air pump). I was just wondering if there would be a solution that could eliminate the air pump.

I don't think buying a new skimmer would really save me any money for the same skimming capacity. How much does an energy efficient skimmer rated for 1000 gallons cost ?

I feel like running a barracuda and a 65w air pump is reasonable power consumption for a skimmer of that size. But correct me if I'm wrong

Probably around $1200 I would guess, but you're not really treating 1000 gallons of water. The bigger is better thing is over-rated, going back to my example before with the truck. There are other benefits relating to noise, compact size and better design in addition to efficiency.

300+W 24/7 is probably close to $300 per year depending on what you pay for electric and while switching to something that uses as little as 40W might not be that convincing in terms of energy savings alone, the other benefits might be. Much quieter, more compact and an over better design, which despite what some might have to say is more effective at skimming. Hence why no one really makes Beckett skimmers anymore. Also when I mentioned it might be cheaper to buy a new skimmer I was also factoring in your purchase of two pressure rated pumps which would be around $600 or so, I'm sure you can get a nice more efficient skimmer rated for your actual volume for that amount.

But anyway I'm not actually suggesting you buy a new skimmer, it was more of a joke than or anything

[MarkoD]

Thanks for the advice guys. My whole goal with this build was to go bigger on everything. I have the space and its enclosed in a seperate room from where the tank is being viewed.

The air pump I have pumps 200L/min which I have split to both becketts.

The way these becketts are designed, it doesn't allow them to be installed upside down.