Beckett vs. needle wheel vs. down draft

virginiadiver69 · #1 10/27/2007, 10:09 AM

I am in the planning stages of a major tank upgrade in the next 6-8 months. I have decided to make my skimmer the first purchase because it can be used right away on my current tank.
The new tank will be a 300 gal heavy stocked mixed reef.
I have started my research and want to begin by deciding on a "style" of skimmer based on the pros and cons of each. I know there is more than one way to skin a cat but any comments based on ACTUAL EXPERIENCE will be greatly appreciated.

richard snyder · #2 10/27/2007, 12:27 PM

JMO I like teh beckett injectors. I have two MRC's that absolutely kick butt. MR 2 on the 250 Reef and a MR3 on the 700 FO

LobsterOfJustice · #3 10/27/2007, 01:28 PM

I'm a fan of the becketts too. I believe they give you the most control. But on the downside they need a large pump to power them, and are by no means "plug and play", working best externally plumbed.

Froggy · #4 10/27/2007, 01:39 PM

I do not have experience with any skimmer other than a needle wheel design but......

I agree with Lobster that Becketts require large pumps which are more expensive to run, more heat generated, and are not plug and play type skimmers. I have heard Becketts require a bit of tinkering to get them dialed into their sweet spot but once they are dialed in they really skim WELL.

There are also several quality needle wheel skimmers on the market that take very little to get them to skim well. Basically drop it in your sump and set it to skim dry or wet with one adjustment of the riser tube or gate valve, if modded.

I do not know much about downdraft models. Both Beckett and needle wheel skimmers skim well and just arrive at the same place using different technologies.

I am not sure which type would work best on a large reef like the 300 gallon you are planning. You might want to browse the large reef tank forum and see what skimmers are being used on the bigger tanks.

Hypo · #5 10/27/2007, 02:01 PM

I think beckett is a good pitcher

mbbuna · #6 10/27/2007, 02:36 PM

i had a 4' tall dual down draft that worked ok then i converted it to dual beckett and it worked better but needed a huge pump to run the becketts and the injectors needed cleaning at least weekly. i have a needle wheel now and its so much better, never have to fuss with it

virginiadiver69 · #7 10/27/2007, 03:18 PM

Are downdrafts worth looking into?
Here where I stand so far:
Beckett = Bullet XL 1
needle wheel = Octopus 300
downdraft = ETSS 800 XR
I keep going back to the Octopus because I like the idea of not having to fiddle with it all of the time and I will not have to drop another $200 + on a pump like the Bullet and ETSS.

bhdmc · #8 10/27/2007, 05:56 PM

I currently have an old downdraft ETSS 700 skimmer. I would not purchase another one. I have have been hearing alot of good things about ReefFlo skimmers. Price is high end:$1249.00 w/pump for the Orca 250 and $849.00 w/pump Orca 200. Check out this month and last month, "Tank of the month." They both use ReefFlo skimmer.

pcostanzo · #9 10/28/2007, 03:15 PM

I built a 48" dual beckett with a reeflo Marlin pump. If you go the double Beckett route you do need a large pressure rated pump but it works great.

virginiadiver69 · #10 10/28/2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bhdmc
I have have been hearing alot of good things about ReefFlo skimmers. Price is high end:$1249.00 w/pump for the Orca 250 and $849.00 w/pump Orca 200. Check out this month and last month, "Tank of the month." They both use ReefFlo skimmer.

I ran across the smaller ReefFlo last night. It is due the end of Nov. I pretty much have decided on this one now.

hawkfish · #11 10/28/2007, 05:03 PM

I just recently replaced a beckett style with a needle wheel. FWIW, the needle wheel produces more finer bubbles and better skimmate.

danthemanj · #12 11/01/2007, 01:41 PM

Get a Reefo Orca 250 skimmer.......blows the others away

Mr31415 · #13 11/01/2007, 02:23 PM

I like my Deltec skimmers.. I have an AP600, AP902 and now an AP851 (still waiting to be plumbed in to my new 180g species). I cannot compare them to the other kind of skimmers, but I can say I have no trouble with the Deltecs. They work fine - no fiddling.

znut Reefer · #14 11/01/2007, 02:56 PM

I have a Beckett Aerofoamer, I have always been pleased with it.

rustybucket145 · #15 11/01/2007, 04:33 PM

Recirculating Deltec or Euroreef's are the best IMO. Easy to operate and once set it's pretty much maintance free.

homebrewdude · #16 11/01/2007, 06:48 PM

Which type has the lowest power consumption?