Looks great, very unique set of fish in the tank.
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New Tank build out (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter jdeveaux
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OP
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jdeveaux
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Installed a new skimmer upgrade this evening. Thanks to the team from Precision Marine and T&T I was able to upgrade my Bullet II to a Bullet III... I had no idea how much bigger the neck was. 8O
Before
After
You can see in the picture above that I had to install a new bulkhead 4" lower
Only 1 inch left above the skimmer.. 8O Just enough space to take the neck off for cleaning.
A very efficient use of space
Before
After
You can see in the picture above that I had to install a new bulkhead 4" lower
Only 1 inch left above the skimmer.. 8O Just enough space to take the neck off for cleaning.
A very efficient use of space
MarkieB
Guest
Do you skim super dry?
The gunk looks like it start to build up very low in the skimmer.
The gunk looks like it start to build up very low in the skimmer.
OP
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jdeveaux
Guest
It varies as I'm still learning 
but I have to clean that thing out every week.
I'm going to call over to PM next week to make sure I'm setting thing correctly per the conversation I had with them.
I've got what some would refer to as a very large bioload issue
but I have to clean that thing out every week.I'm going to call over to PM next week to make sure I'm setting thing correctly per the conversation I had with them.
I've got what some would refer to as a very large bioload issue
MarkieB
Guest
You should email them this picture so they can see where the gunk starts to build and post the response. I am curious what they say about that.
I am actually amazed it can even do that. I will guess that it is heavy load related.
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa283/jdeveaux/Starphire Tank/Plumbing/skimmerupgrade_02.jpg
I am actually amazed it can even do that. I will guess that it is heavy load related.
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa283/jdeveaux/Starphire Tank/Plumbing/skimmerupgrade_02.jpg
jdeveaux said:It varies as I'm still learning
I'm going to call over to PM next week to make sure I'm setting thing correctly per the conversation I had with them.
I've got what some would refer to as a very large bioload issue
What pump you are using for Bullet III.
OP
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jdeveaux
Guest
RR-MAN said:
PanWorld 150PS but for some reason it just doesn't seem to be performing the way it should. I may break it down tomorrow for a cleaning just to see if something got sucked into the motor. I just installed it 2 months ago so I need to find out if it is performing correctly or not.
If all else fails then I'm going to admit defeat and go with a needle wheel skimmer. I still think the Beckett style injector is more powerful but there are very strong arguments for needle wheel.
The strongest are noise level and power consumption.
Right now my front runner for needle wheel is the Reeflo Orca 200 or 250
Okay, I've always thought that there were reasons not to put a puffer in a reef tank, but you have one.
Just a quick search lead me to these quotes about porcupine puffers..(that's what you have right?)
"Not well-suited to the reef aquarium as it is likely to eat many types of sessile invertebrates."
"It will eat invertebrates found in a reef aquarium"
What's the story?
Just a quick search lead me to these quotes about porcupine puffers..(that's what you have right?)
"Not well-suited to the reef aquarium as it is likely to eat many types of sessile invertebrates."
"It will eat invertebrates found in a reef aquarium"
What's the story?
MarkieB
Guest
jdeveaux said:
I am surprised to hear that! It looked mighty powerful yesterday!
OP
OP
jdeveaux
Guest
It is definitely doing the job now. I had to empty the collection cup 2x already 8O
The Pan World pump is a totally different beast of a pump over the mag 24 and the 150PS is strongly recommended over the mag pumps.
The issue isn't the amount of flow it is the amount of pressure generated for that flow. I actually trim back the flow to get additional pressure and increased dwell time in the skimmer; like putting your finger over the end of a hose to get a harder spray but less water.
The pressure is what generates the air intake and I'm definitely getting that.
I'm still learning and tweaking though and my comment about switching to needle wheel was a moment of weakness
I have always been a staunch supporter of the becket inject style skimmers, but they do require a little more attention to detail.
The Pan World pump is a totally different beast of a pump over the mag 24 and the 150PS is strongly recommended over the mag pumps.
The issue isn't the amount of flow it is the amount of pressure generated for that flow. I actually trim back the flow to get additional pressure and increased dwell time in the skimmer; like putting your finger over the end of a hose to get a harder spray but less water.
The pressure is what generates the air intake and I'm definitely getting that.
I'm still learning and tweaking though and my comment about switching to needle wheel was a moment of weakness
I have always been a staunch supporter of the becket inject style skimmers, but they do require a little more attention to detail.
OP
OP
jdeveaux
Guest
mpwolken said:
I still have lots of invertebrates and I keep him well feed. It really varies from fish to fish and how you raise them. I also have a 23" snowflake eel in there. I keep Mexican Turbos to help with clean up and Super Tongan Nassarius snails that I just keep a surplus of; what the puffer doesn't eat keeps the soil stirred.
As with most things in reef keeping there are exceptions to the rule and this is one of them, but I took the time to make sure I've planned the tank around having the puffer in there.
He's never touched the corals and he actually loves to play and be petted.
He really makes cleaning time a challenge since he wants to always be right where I'm working and I definitely watch out for those chompers.
OP
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jdeveaux
Guest
My tank will be a year old in two months and growth is finally taking off like crazy.
John, as you may know I'm a skimmer fanatic .
I'll jump in with a little advice if you'd like.
Your pump is indeed sufficient to handle your beckett. Much better curve than a Mag. If you'd like to see it really rock you could put a 55rlt on there.
Anyhoo
-You arent going to generate anymore pressure at the becket by throttling the discharge valve. If you have a kill a watt do this and watch the amps, they will fall. A centrifugal pump amps down int the presence of head pressure [throttled valve]. Soo open that sucker up and it will push as hard as it can against the restriction which is the beckett..
-That leaves us with two variables. Air and water out to adjust. With a Beckett I'm sure you know its pull up a chair and tinker. Preference towards air.
-Your water level looks too low in the old pictures. You shouldnt be getting "neck gunk" that low in the skimmer body. Neck Gunk comes from the bubble column slowing down.
I think you may know my preference between Becketts and Needlewheels. It's early and thats all I have !
Beautiful tank btw.
.I'll jump in with a little advice if you'd like.
Your pump is indeed sufficient to handle your beckett. Much better curve than a Mag. If you'd like to see it really rock you could put a 55rlt on there.
Anyhoo
-You arent going to generate anymore pressure at the becket by throttling the discharge valve. If you have a kill a watt do this and watch the amps, they will fall. A centrifugal pump amps down int the presence of head pressure [throttled valve]. Soo open that sucker up and it will push as hard as it can against the restriction which is the beckett..
-That leaves us with two variables. Air and water out to adjust. With a Beckett I'm sure you know its pull up a chair and tinker. Preference towards air.
-Your water level looks too low in the old pictures. You shouldnt be getting "neck gunk" that low in the skimmer body. Neck Gunk comes from the bubble column slowing down.
I think you may know my preference between Becketts and Needlewheels
. It's early and thats all I have !Beautiful tank btw.
OP
OP
jdeveaux
Guest
Thank you Kris-
The pictures above are actually out of date now. The ones with the gunk in the body were with the old Bullet 2 mod and the ones with the bullet 3 neck were to early since I had just fired it up.
You are correct though, I have had to spend a great deal of time trying to get it tweaked for consistent performance. Now I'm getting a waste collector full of black sludge on a weekly basis. My next upgrade will be back over to needle wheel; when I get the money for it.
I'm keeping my eye on the Reeflo Orca 250.
I've been meaning to ask you about your ozone usage. I'm using ozone and I was curious what set point do you have yours at? Right now I'm set at 425.
Thank You,
The pictures above are actually out of date now. The ones with the gunk in the body were with the old Bullet 2 mod and the ones with the bullet 3 neck were to early since I had just fired it up.
You are correct though, I have had to spend a great deal of time trying to get it tweaked for consistent performance. Now I'm getting a waste collector full of black sludge on a weekly basis. My next upgrade will be back over to needle wheel; when I get the money for it.
I'm keeping my eye on the Reeflo Orca 250.
I've been meaning to ask you about your ozone usage. I'm using ozone and I was curious what set point do you have yours at? Right now I'm set at 425.
Thank You,
Meh John I dont control.
The bad part of the BK I have is no carbon lid and zero overhead clearance to filter the outgoing ozone. The kids computer is in the area so the first time it got really rich in the stand it scared me and quit pushing it. I do tend to crank it up with new fish additions though.
My numbers range from the 370-420mv range when I was paying attention. For me its just a water clarity measure not so much a regulated variable.
As for new skimmers I like the orcas altho I hear some things about turbulance in the neck. Really depends on your price range.
My ATB should be here in around 2-3weeks.
The bad part of the BK I have is no carbon lid and zero overhead clearance to filter the outgoing ozone. The kids computer is in the area so the first time it got really rich in the stand it scared me and quit pushing it. I do tend to crank it up with new fish additions though.
My numbers range from the 370-420mv range when I was paying attention. For me its just a water clarity measure not so much a regulated variable.
As for new skimmers I like the orcas altho I hear some things about turbulance in the neck. Really depends on your price range.
My ATB should be here in around 2-3weeks.
OP
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jdeveaux
Guest
Thanks for the info. Mine generally stays right around 400 and my skimmer output is a lot better when the numbers in that range. I've noticed that when the number drops so does the skimming.
I put a carbon filter on mine and have it pushing about 150mg into the skimmer.
I put a carbon filter on mine and have it pushing about 150mg into the skimmer.
OP
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jdeveaux
Guest
kris4647 said:
?? Why not?
