300 gal reef re-do - Page 9

sherm71tank · #**201** 09/15/2007, 01:50 AM

Glad you went with the dual injectors.

jnarowe · #**202** 09/15/2007, 02:00 AM

Are you following me?

pcostanzo · #**203** 09/15/2007, 05:47 AM

Thanks guys. I'll post some pics by the end of the weekend when its hooked up.

pcostanzo · #**204** 09/15/2007, 03:57 PM

I water tested today and after fixing a small leak I hooked it up. Its incredible how fine the bubbles are and how they fill the chamber compared to my old skimmer.

Here is the pump. A Sequence Marlin.

jnarowe · #**205** 09/15/2007, 04:19 PM

Beautiful job Paul. That skimmer is sweet. Is the Marlin modded with a NW? That would be cool if you could feed it with a NW.

What are you doing about auto-shut off? Like for an over-skimming event? Do you have a float switch in the collection bucket?

What are you going to do about ventillation for your pumps? They seem to be in a fairly confined space. Are you going to mount a fan/blower to keep them cool?

Live that manifold dude! Just need to get busy with the Brother P-Touch and label it all for tank sitters!

sherm71tank · #**206** 09/15/2007, 04:37 PM

Can I get some closer shots of the beckett riser tubes? They don't look to be filled with bubbles the right way to me. More pics!

jnarowe · #**207** 09/15/2007, 04:42 PM

Paul, watch out for Sherman...he really knows skimmers and becketts in particular. And if yours is making enough noise that you can hear it inside, Sherman has a great design for a muffler.

The head looks good though, don't you think Sherman?

sherm71tank · #**208** 09/15/2007, 05:15 PM

It is a beauty of a skimmer! Head looks nice as well. IME with becketts that have large "down draft" tubes they fill completely with bubbles and look very turbulant. They don't have the "stream" of bubbles down the center of the tube that yours at least appear to have.

pcostanzo · #**209** 09/15/2007, 05:25 PM

You're right. I wasn't sure if thats because it was breaking in or not but the down tubes are not filling with water. If I start to close the output valve the water level goes into the cup. Any ideas?

sherm71tank · #**210** 09/15/2007, 05:39 PM

Can you try running just one of them?

pcostanzo · #**211** 09/15/2007, 05:59 PM

Here are some close ups. The water level in the mixing box stays the same if I open or close the output valve just the height of the water column changes. Also doesn't make a difference if I reduce the pump volume. No easy way for me to shut down one of the becketts. Maybe I can plug up the hole on one and try it. The pump should put out enough volume for 2. It was actually recommended on Barrs website for this size skimmer.

jnarowe · #**212** 09/15/2007, 06:13 PM

based on the picture of the foam in the riser, I am not sure anything needs to be corrected yet. maybe give it some time?

erics3000 · #**213** 09/15/2007, 11:06 PM

Wicked..

jnarowe · #**214** 09/16/2007, 12:36 AM

hey paul, what kind of thumb screws are you using? Are they PVC?

pcostanzo · #**215** 09/16/2007, 06:01 AM

They are nylon. Mcmasters Part Number: 94323A322

pcostanzo · #**216** 09/16/2007, 06:50 AM

I tried something this morning. I noticed when I first turn on the pump air pressure forces the water thats in the central column up even before water fills it. I remember Zeph talking about an air lock in the injector tubes. I loosened the injector chamber to release the air and the tube instantly filled with foam. I tightened it back up and the foam continued.

I had to cut the air back as soon as I did this. It was sucking way more air than before and the bubbles were getting too big.

thirschmann · #**217** 09/16/2007, 08:53 AM

Wow... great job... very nicely done, congrats!

steve the plumb · #**218** 09/16/2007, 11:45 AM

very nice work.To bad I don't have the tools or the skills to do this.If I had a drawing then maybe I would think of attempting something like this but I would be to afraid that I would screw it up.You have done such a clean job.I am thinking you could make skimmers for people as a side job.Its not a bad way to make extra money and its something that you like to do.The only problem may be time.Seems no one has enough of that.

jnarowe · #**219** 09/16/2007, 11:54 AM

Ahhh...there it is. Sherman will be proud!

I used to use nylon but I had problems with them breaking so I switched to SS screws and use a drill to run them in and out.

sherm71tank · #**220** 09/16/2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pcostanzo
I tried something this morning. I noticed when I first turn on the pump air pressure forces the water thats in the central column up even before water fills it. I remember Zeph talking about an air lock in the injector tubes. I loosened the injector chamber to release the air and the tube instantly filled with foam. I tightened it back up and the foam continued.

I had to cut the air back as soon as I did this. It was sucking way more air than before and the bubbles were getting too big.

There's the money shot! I wonder if you can turn the air valves off when you are first turning it on?

Here's where I'll part with the pack on tuning your beckett so you can take it or leave it. I run my DIY beckett with 3/8" fittings and airline wide open. It is called "foam fractionation " right? Maybe give it try sometime and see what you think. Just remember you will have to lower the water level considerably or it will volcano on you. Good luck!

jnarowe · #**221** 09/16/2007, 12:44 PM

And of all the sweet skimmers Sherman has had, nothing beats that beckett. How much air is it pulling again?

pcostanzo · #**222** 09/16/2007, 01:02 PM

Thanks guys. 1st day and its starting to form a head. Cant wait to pull out some poop.

sherm71tank · #**223** 09/16/2007, 01:07 PM

I have to guess because when I put the meter on it restricts the flow. With the meter on it's right at 100 SCFH without I think 120 SCFH. Using a Rio Hyperflow 32 pump on it (80 watts).

Also I have a suggestion. Put another valve for shutting the air down after your adjustment valve. This way you don't have to readjust the skimmer if you need to turn the air down or off for feeding certain foods, water changes, whatever. Makes your life easier!

pcostanzo · #**224** 09/17/2007, 07:14 AM

I got my first skimmate this morning.

After reading the last couple of posts in Thirschman thread about ich I wanted to start up a discussion of different methods all of you use to quarantine incoming, not sick, fish. Do you take preventative measures or wait till you see something? I have used copper and Hypo in the past. Both have been successful. The last fish I treated actually developed ich, a hippo tang, that didn't respond at all to copper. I raised the dose to .35 and still nothing. I removed the copper from the tank and did hypo at 1.009. After the first week it was gone. Kept him there for 6 weeks. Lots of people have so many different methods. Some dip, some don't, some just quarantine without anything and wait to see if the fish is sick, some treat right away even if no symptoms. Lets hear what you guys do.

jnarowe · #**225** 09/17/2007, 07:47 AM

I QT but have never chemically treated for any disease. I feel that boosting the fish' immune system with high quality food and vitamins is th ebest way to. Even when I have had a bout with ich, I just fed 3 times per day with Garlic Guard, frozen seafood I make myself, nori, and vitamins. I had a PBT that got it fairly bad, but it was the only fish that would not go into my trap. The feeding did the trick, and it has been healthy ever since.

I have had two Nasos die on me within the first week of being in my display and I really don't know what happened with them. They looked healthy but became listless and wouldn't eat.