Review of Reef Maniacs Miniature Beckett Skimmer

[jc85]

I am delighted to be able to test the new Miniature Beckett Skimmer from Reef Maniacs. When Joe approached me to test and review this miniature skimmer, I accepted the offer immediately as many reefers have vouched for the quality products from Reef Maniacs.

Technical specification of the skimmer.

Dimension: -

Maximum Height: 26” (from base to highest point)

Maximum Length: 10”

Maximum Width: 7”

Chamber Diameter: 6”

Hardware Components/Technique: -

1) O-rings are used to prevent leaking

2) All joints are reinforced with Double Bracing

3) Sch 80 PVC for quality built

This skimmer is very well constructed with high quality acrylic and PVC fittings. All edges are nicely cut giving a professional look. With its small footprint, it can easily fix standard size sump.

I am running this skimmer for my 250litres tank that has 3 tangs, 2 clownfish, 4 lyretail anthias with some LPS and SPS frag. Due to the small sump that I have, I'm running the skimmer out-sump with Resun MD40.

Tank parameters:

NH3/4: 0

NO2: 0

NO3: 0

pH: 8.1

Alk: 8

Calcium: 460

Salinity: 1.023

Picture of the skimmer. (Note the Garlic Guard for size comparison)

*Pardon me for the lousy pictures

[jc85]

Components

- Collection Cup with tube for external waste cup.

[jc85]

[jc85]

Components

- Beckett with two air tubes for define tuning

[jc85]

Components

- Gate valve for controlling returns

[typrobin]

Components

- Gate valve for controlling returns

Branded Spear Gate Valve to be exact...

[jc85]

Components

- 6" diameter Chamber

[jc85]

Branded Spear Gate Valve to be exact...

Spots on. U have good eyesight!

[typrobin]

Spots on. U have good eyesight!

Joe_P will never compromise on quality...cheaper brands work the same way, but not as smooth as Spear Gate Valve...

[jc85]

Another view of the Chamber.

[jc85]

Another clearer picture of this beautiful Skimmer.

[jc85]

During setup, I was presently surprise how flexible this skimmer is built. The connector for the beckett to pump’s hose can be rotated 360degree depending on requirement. The skimmer by itself (without water) is fairly lightweight. The only compliant I’ll have is some of the pointed edge although this can be rectify easily with some filing.

Installation is straightforward. All components fall into place and securely without any difficulties. I spent more time trying to figure out how to connect the MD40 to the sump instead.

[typrobin]

huh?? that's all?? WE WANT FOAM!!!

[jc85]

Tuning/Adjusting

After checking all my plumbing, with the gate valve, I started the pump. Jet of water with many bubbles are released into the chamber from the beckett smoothly.

As this is my first time using a beckett skimmer, I spent a some time fine tuning the skimmer.

First, I adjusted the gate value to allow th e chamber to be filled with water. Once the water is up till the neck of the collection cup, I start playing with the air valve to create foam and control the bubble size.

As my pump is new, I expect it to take a few days to break-in. Below is the picture of the skimmer after tuning and running for about 1/2hr.

[jc85]

This is a picture of the exact same skimmer that was test running on MD55 for less than 2hrs.

[jc85]

Results

Below is the close-up on the dirt that are collected in the cup when using a MD55 after 2hrs.

I'll be updating this thread on the performance of this skimmer that is currently running on MD40. Stay tune for more.....

[jc85]

Angle shot of this skimmer to share till I continue again tomorrow.

[jesperlam]

look at those foam...!!!

[typrobin]

pls show the pic of it running on a md40...should be interesting, if a md40 is enuf to drive the beckett, then a lot of reefers will be happier with lower electricity bills....

[reef2]

great stuff. looks good. my biggest problem going into beckett is the electric bill. imagine running 365x24 hrs

[jc85]

pls show the pic of it running on a md40...should be interesting, if a md40 is enuf to drive the beckett, then a lot of reefers will be happier with lower electricity bills....

This is actually the picture of it running on MD40. Will be taking more pictures as it break in.

[typrobin]

whao....so much bubbles even with a md40....cool.....

[Joe_P]

whao....so much bubbles even with a md40....cool.....

We will be monitoring closely the performance results of the Reef Becketts with the utilisation of the MD 40.

If the MD 40 does give good results, then running Becketts' no longer a strain on the pockets..

[typrobin]

We will be monitoring closely the performance results of the Reef Becketts with the utilisation of the MD 40.

If the MD 40 does give good results, then running Becketts' no longer a strain on the pockets..

hey joe, i am thinking if u add a outlet in the beckett housing to drain out the water, would the performance me better?? coz i noticed that the beckett while ###### in air, sucks in water as well...but the problem will be that u cannot control the air intake....just an idea...

[jc85]

Base on my observation, controlling the air intake to the beckett injector is important. Since most of the time the air tube will not be open to the max, do not know if draining the water will actually work.