Review of Reef Maniacs Miniature Beckett Skimmer

[nutx]

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

Your water level is so high up in the neck of the collection cup?

wouldn't the skimmate be very liquid?

[patrick123]

I have a question about wet and dry skimmate. Why so many people prefer dry skimmate?

IMHO, you can always tune the skimmer to product ultra dry skimmate, but that will mean that 70-80% of the DOC are being skim out, whereas compare to if you lower the threshold and waste a little more water (more wet skimmate), you may be able to capture 80-90% of DOC.

So I would rather waste a little more water, and make sure as much DOC is remove as quickly as possible.

All the experts here please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks,

Patrick

[typrobin]

I have a question about wet and dry skimmate.  Why so many people prefer dry skimmate?

IMHO, you can always tune the skimmer to product ultra dry skimmate, but that will mean that 70-80% of the DOC are being skim out, whereas compare to if you lower the threshold and waste a little more water (more wet skimmate), you may be able to capture 80-90% of DOC.

So I would rather waste a little more water, and make sure as much DOC is remove as quickly as possible.

All the experts here please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks,

Patrick

both extracts out DOC, just that wet skimmate will drain out your salt water...that's y most prefer drier skimmate to reduce water lose....

even if the skimmate is dry, the DOC will be captured at the top of the foam, so it doesn't mean that drier skimmate will be less effective, it looks less but thicker... it think it is like normal shit and LAO SAI....both are all that's in your bowel, just that lao sai dehydrates a person....

PS: i am not tryin to be rude, just that i cannot find better comparison....

[patrick123]

both extracts out DOC, just that wet skimmate will drain out your salt water...that's y most prefer drier skimmate to reduce water lose....

even if the skimmate is dry, the DOC will be captured at the top of the foam, so it doesn't mean that drier skimmate will be less effective, it looks less but thicker... it think it is like normal shit and LAO SAI....both are all that's in your bowel, just that lao sai dehydrates a person....

PS: i am not tryin to be rude, just that i cannot find better comparison....

Good analogy. Since you already so blunt, so I will just use your example....

Normal shit is good but will not clean up your bowel immediately. The next batch will stay in the system until the next day...whereas LAO SAI cleans up your system almost immediately. So the shorter the DOC stays in the system, the less chance that it will be converted to ammonia.

Anyone else have other opinion?

Thanks,

Patrick

[typrobin]

bro, like tat very difficult lah...imagine have to lao sai everyday...very soon will become "neng ka" hahhaaha

i think as long as the DOC remain on the top layer of the foam then should be alright isn't it?? not too sure, but most pple prefer drier skimmate....

[Joe_P]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your er.. hem..."descriptive comments".

It would however be appreciated if you start new threads in the Marine Aquarium forum and let jc85 continue and bring to conclusion this thread as it is meant to be... A "Product Review" thread.

[moron_clown]

hehe...skimmers become shit...very nice..wonder where will the discussion lead to next...anyway,Thumbs UP for our DIY guru joe!!! hiak hiak hiak

[jc85]

Let's keep this thread "clean" and focus on the topic.

I actually adjusted the water level higher initially because I wanted to aid the skimmer to break in. Do note that typically, new skimmer will need a few days to break in due to acrylic and pump having some sort of "oil" layer.

In the picture, the 2nd O-ring are actually make up of very fine bubbles. The water level (turbulent water) is about 1" above bottom o-ring.

Due to the power failure last night, I was not able to review the skimmer performance. I have since re-tune the skimmer. The water level are now below the bottom o-ring. Shall keep track of it again and report back once there any updates.

Cheers

JC

[patrick123]

My apology for stealing the thread.

[Joe_P]

Let's keep this thread "clean" and focus on the topic.

I actually adjusted the water level higher initially because I wanted to aid the skimmer to break in. Do note that typically, new skimmer will need a few days to break in due to acrylic and pump having some sort of "oil" layer.

In the picture, the 2nd O-ring are actually make up of very fine bubbles. The water level (turbulent water) is about 1" above bottom o-ring.

Due to the power failure last night, I was not able to review the skimmer performance. I have since re-tune the skimmer. The water level are now below the bottom o-ring. Shall keep track of it again and report back once there any updates.

Cheers

JC

Hey JC,

How's the skimming over there??

[jc85]

Performance: Part1

After running the skimmer for 24hrs, foam starts to form. However, it is not sufficient to really skim out much dirt and it is this day when the worst blackout in 11years occurs. Thus I was not able to take any pictures of the foam. Apologies. As mentioned in my earlier reply, I have since adjusted the water level and left the air valve around ¾ opened.

On the 2nd day (48hrs), much more foam are rushing up to the top of the tube. Can even see that much dirt is been collected on the wall of the tube. However, due to the large bubbles produced (3/4 opened air valve), the skimmate are pretty watery. Below are the pictures of the skimmer on 2nd day.

[jc85]

Close up bubbles produced by 3/4 air valve opened.

[jc85]

For those who like to see skimmate.

[jc85]

Performance: Part 2

After running the skimmer for 2 days, I adjusted the air valve to half opened. No doubt, smaller bubbles are created and based on my observation; there are still lots of potential for this skimmer to create fine bubbles for those reefers that like dry skimmates.

Pictures after 3 days (72hrs), I believe the skimmer has more or less broken in.

[jc85]

Bubbles created.

[jc85]

Based on the amount of skimmate this skimmer produced in its first 3 days, I'm presently surprise on its efficiency. Initially, thought that it may take at least 3 days before any foam will be produce but I was wrong. It may well be the pump (MD40) that needs breaking in.

[jc85]

Maintenence

Due to the big collection cup design and the possibility of having external cup, those who travel often will be able to have a piece of mind. From the design, in the event where the collection cup needs to be remove for whatever reason (including cleaning), the skimmer need not be shut down. The water level can simply be lower to a level where water will not overflow without the collection cup. This will ensure that the skimmer is always ready to skim again after maintenance.

According to Reef Maniacs, this range of skimmer may have the option to upgrade in future. Thus if a reefer eventually decide that they need a more powerful skimmer, they can opt to the upgrade this skimmer at a fraction of the cost compare to buying a brand new skimmer.

[jc85]

Conclusion

With this new Reef Maniacs Miniature Reef Beckett Skimmer that can be operated with a MD40 pump, a new arena for local reefers has been opened. Previously reefer that has issues listed below can now also own a “value for money” beckett skimmer without compromising efficiency and performance.

1) High bio-load

2) Has problem with limited space constraint in cabinet, (this skimmer is nicely built to even be placed out of cabinet)

3) Though that beckett skimmer cost too much,

4) Need an in-sump skimmer

Cheers

JC

[Joe_P]

Performance: Part 2

After running the skimmer for 2 days, I adjusted the air valve to half opened. No doubt, smaller bubbles are created and based on my observation; there are still lots of potential for this skimmer to create fine bubbles for those reefers that like dry skimmates.

Pictures after 3 days (72hrs), I believe the skimmer has more or less broken in. 

Hi JC,

One issue to clarify... That skimate pic of 72 days worth of skimming comes from the result of a MD 40 firing up the unit? You did not switch pumps ... did you?

and mind if I pay a visit to your lair to look look see see...

You don't happen to have colourful stuff, do you ??

[typrobin]

Hi JC,

One issue to clarify... That skimate pic of 72 days worth of skimming comes from the result of a MD 40 firing up the unit? You did not switch pumps ... did you?

and mind if I pay a visit to your lair to look look see see...

You don't happen to have colourful stuff, do you ??

bro, like that i think my weipro is better loh....

md40 is certainly enuf...thumbs up to Joe_p...beckett skimmer's sales will be up very soon....

[Joe_P]

bro, like that i think my weipro is better loh....

md40 is certainly enuf...thumbs up to Joe_p...beckett skimmer's sales will be up very soon....

Thanks for pointing out my typo... heehee... 72 hours instead of 72 days...

I think I need to sleep more...

[typrobin]

Thanks for pointing out my typo... heehee... 72 hours instead of 72 days...

I think I need to sleep more...

bro, u very fierce leh..

[Joe_P]

bro, u very fierce leh..

Oops....

My apologies.

Now back to where we left off...

[typrobin]

can actually distinguish the diff between wet and dry foaming...the dry foaming is much darker and definitely accumulate more DOC before pushing the skimmate out into the collection cup...

[jc85]

Hi JC,

One issue to clarify... That skimate pic of 72 days worth of skimming comes from the result of a MD 40 firing up the unit? You did not switch pumps ... did you?

and mind if I pay a visit to your lair to look look see see...

You don't happen to have colourful stuff, do you ??

Yes. Its has been running on MD40. Never change.

Sure. Will arrange with you. Been busy with work while preparing for my In-camp.