DIY Beckett Skimmer

Here's a few pictures of the skimmer I built.  It uses a beckett foam head for airation.

Some specs:
Overall:  11" x 8" x 32"
6" dia x 13" long main column
3" dia x 15" injection tube that is channeled through a false floor and into a 3" dia x 10" long riser tube within the 6 inch main column.

I'm using a Little Giant 4 to power it (which is for sale, btw).  Most of the design was ripped off from the skimmers on this page:  http://www.barraquatic.com

Overall picture, with yard stick for reference:

Close up of the Beckett head:

The skimmer in operation:

Complaints:  My sump isn't big enough.  Actually it's ok, it just needs a little modifying.  But it's still tight.  I may have to build a little cabinet to house it in and move it outside the tank.  I'll post more as it ages...

No kidding!  That looks great Jon!

Hey Jon looks great i have a question the air intake to the beckett is it loud?

and did you make a line for a ozone?

I don't use it, it was just a response to Firefish's question.

Many do use ozone.  The benefits include better skimming performance from your skimmer (if injected directly into the skimmer air stream).  Ozone can also be used to increase the ORP of the tank but making hypochloride and hypobromide species (bleach).  Some of these benefits can also be had by using a UV sterilizer.  The drawbacks are just what you posted... plus if not used properly, can lead to rotting fins on fish and even death. 

Just thought I'd update, here's a current picture:

It's working great so far (curing live rock only in tank).  As you can see, I moved it out of the sump, leaving more room in the sump for water (I'll build a cabinet for it to reside in).  I couldn't hear the air sucking when it was in the sump, but now out in the wide open, there is a definate air sucking sound, similar to the Mazzei I had before.  It does suck a lot of air.  I have the air valve only about 1/2 open to lessen the turbulance in the main column.  Another thing learned.  I'll never again make flanges from 1/4" material... it flexes too much and is harder to seal.  I'll use 3/8" next time.  All in all, I think it's the best skimmer I've made.

Good point!

In my usage above I meant activated carbon.  I missused the term.

Charcoal is coal or wood that's been burned in a low oxygen environment, but hasn't been "activated".  It'll adsorb organics like activated carbon, but at much much less capacity due to it's low surface area.  If you take charcoal or coal and then heat it up to around 1000°F in the presence of steam it becomes activated carbon.  You don't see charcoal around much anymore... if it's black it's probably activated carbon.