Reef Central Online Community

Go Back   Reef Central Online Community > General Interest Forums > Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment
Blogs FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Notices

User Tag List

Reply
Thread Tools
Unread 04/28/2014, 09:06 AM   #101
Piper27
I love bengals
 
Piper27's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Manassas Virginia
Posts: 2,512
My bubble plate sits 7 inches from the bottom of the skimmer. My bubbles are also churning so hard in the chamber, they only become uniform about 3 or 4 Inches below the bubble and water line. They float up and down, and around for a long time before they get to the top and pop.


Piper27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 04/28/2014, 10:34 AM   #102
d2mini
Registered Member
 
d2mini's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 10,344
Quote:
Originally Posted by ken6217 View Post
I wanted to leave it lower just in case things overflowed.

Also if I had to do it again, I wouldn't have gotten the 8" cup. It is a waste of money and takes up too much room if you are going to use the drain and a a collection container.
Yeah, good plan on leaving it lower if not around to watch it.

And yup, if you have a collection container, no need for the bigger cup.
I appreciate the bigger cup because I don't use a collection container. I just open the drain and empty it into a 2qt container by hand every few days.


__________________
-dennis

Elos Diamond 120xl | Elos Stand | Radion G4 Pros | GHL Profilux Controller | LifeReef Skimmer | LifeReef Sump
Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.
d2mini is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 04/29/2014, 09:54 AM   #103
bernie lyons
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: mississauga,ontario,can.
Posts: 670
MTC vs Lifereef

Quote:
Originally Posted by ken6217 View Post
Uh oh, I got to leave Manhattan now and get home. I don't want to miss it happening at the 12 hour mark.

When I get home tonight I will move the level up an 1". I wanted to leave it lower just in case things overflowed.

Also if I had to do it again, I wouldn't have gotten the 8" cup. It is a waste of money and takes up too much room if you are going to use the drain and a a collection container.
Hey Ken,
How do you compare the skimming between the MTC and Lifereef ?


bernie lyons is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 04/29/2014, 10:10 AM   #104
ken6217
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,179
Quote:
Originally Posted by bernie lyons View Post
Hey Ken,
How do you compare the skimming between the MTC and Lifereef ?
Hi Bernie,

It's only 24 hours and so I will give it more time. I will say though that I like both better than needle wheel skimmers. You get a much dryer foam head if you want.

It would make sense though that the MTC skimmer is going to do a better job. They both have mazzei venturis but the MTC has two instead if one, it is 18" taller (more contact time), and it is recirculating.

The fairer fight will be the one venturi skimmer they are making for me. It will be 36" though instead of 30", but will be recirculating.
Ken


ken6217 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 04/29/2014, 10:52 AM   #105
bernie lyons
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: mississauga,ontario,can.
Posts: 670
mtc lifereef

Quote:
Originally Posted by ken6217 View Post
Hi Bernie,

It's only 24 hours and so I will give it more time. I will say though that I like both better than needle wheel skimmers. You get a much dryer foam head if you want.

It would make sense though that the MTC skimmer is going to do a better job. They both have mazzei venturis but the MTC has two instead if one, it is 18" taller (more contact time), and it is recirculating.

The fairer fight will be the one venturi skimmer they are making for me. It will be 36" though instead of 30", but will be recirculating.
Ken
Thanks Ken for your reply. I agree the single venturi MTC would be a fairer comparison. I find it interesting that with all the "rave" of pinwheel skimmers(bubble king) especially , that the "Good O'l" tried and true technology (venturi) is superior using the tall counter current method...very intersting indeed EH !!!


bernie lyons is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 04/30/2014, 05:24 AM   #106
Piper27
I love bengals
 
Piper27's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Manassas Virginia
Posts: 2,512
Quote:
Originally Posted by ken6217 View Post
Hi Bernie,

It's only 24 hours and so I will give it more time. I will say though that I like both better than needle wheel skimmers. You get a much dryer foam head if you want.

It would make sense though that the MTC skimmer is going to do a better job. They both have mazzei venturis but the MTC has two instead if one, it is 18" taller (more contact time), and it is recirculating.

The fairer fight will be the one venturi skimmer they are making for me. It will be 36" though instead of 30", but will be recirculating.
Ken

My life reef has recirculating mods with many options. Also a extra few bucks gets you the second mazzi. I don't see any need for the second mazzi in my case, it would be nice but my stack is stock full of bubbles as it is. I think if I was using a pump around 2000gph or around there, a second mazzi would be a big help.
Also nice that you don't have to worry about skimmer cups overflowing on you with life reef. And like stated before, there are add ons and customizations Jeff can do for you to match just about any skimmer. Customer service is big.


Piper27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/01/2014, 06:28 AM   #107
Piper27
I love bengals
 
Piper27's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Manassas Virginia
Posts: 2,512
Here is my three day comparison of the my old 8" reef octopus needle wheel and 3 days of the life reef. I did let the life reef skim for a day and dumped it, then started the comparison. The skimmer was gushing wet skim out the top pretty good for the first day. The difference between the two is dramatic imo. Color of skim and quality is hard to ignore.
Here come the pics...


Piper27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/01/2014, 06:32 AM   #108
Piper27
I love bengals
 
Piper27's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Manassas Virginia
Posts: 2,512
Here is 3 days worth of skim in the reef octopus, was running wet.


Here is 3 days of my life reef with just one mazzi on it. It was running really dry.



Piper27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/01/2014, 06:42 AM   #109
Piper27
I love bengals
 
Piper27's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Manassas Virginia
Posts: 2,512
A pic with the life reefs skim in the reef octopus collection cup for better comparison. Also this is not including the palm full of sludge I scooped out of the lifereefs neck. The reef octopus barely had any just around the edge.




Piper27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/01/2014, 06:44 AM   #110
wildman926
Registered Member
 
wildman926's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CTX
Posts: 2,904
Quote:
Originally Posted by Piper27 View Post
Here is 3 days worth of skim in the reef octopus, was running wet.


Here is 3 days of my life reef with just one mazzi on it. It was running really dry.
What an amazing difference. You should really raise the internal water level of the LifeReef/Skimz hybrid to ensure you get all of that out.


__________________
Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!!

The search function actually works quite well!!

Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie
wildman926 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/01/2014, 08:02 AM   #111
ksed
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,867
Which model of Reef Octopus do you have. That's a big difference considering the LifeReef is skimming dryer.


ksed is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/01/2014, 08:21 AM   #112
Piper27
I love bengals
 
Piper27's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Manassas Virginia
Posts: 2,512
Yea I raised it up after cleaning it this time. I am going to raise it slowly to avoid any overflows since it was skimming so much out.

Here is a pic of the old ro skimmer...


Piper27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/01/2014, 08:24 AM   #113
Piper27
I love bengals
 
Piper27's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Manassas Virginia
Posts: 2,512
It's the 8" body, and 4.5" neck.



Piper27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/01/2014, 08:25 AM   #114
d2mini
Registered Member
 
d2mini's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 10,344
Looks awesome.

Some weeks it pulls more skimmy than others, but this is typical of a few days worth on good weeks. The upgraded 8" cup running with the standard venturi.




__________________
-dennis

Elos Diamond 120xl | Elos Stand | Radion G4 Pros | GHL Profilux Controller | LifeReef Skimmer | LifeReef Sump
Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.
d2mini is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/01/2014, 08:30 AM   #115
Piper27
I love bengals
 
Piper27's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Manassas Virginia
Posts: 2,512
I love running this thing recirculating, with the iwaki 55rlt recirculating and mag 7 suppying it's ran even better than when I had the wahoo/marlin with the upgraded impeller running the mazzi. I wish I could post a video of how much action there is in the chamber but I think I have to use my girls camera and use photobucket. Not sure how to post videos or if I can with tapatalk.
I was so surprised at what it pulled I took the ro pump apart thinking it must have been clogged... And found nothing.


Piper27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/03/2014, 08:02 AM   #116
skinsncanes
Registered Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 156
Hey guys I read on another thread that this was the place to get a skimmer question answered.

I had a question about protein skimmers and sharks. Im planning a 280 minimum tank for a couple coral cat sharks. Possibly also a eel and ray down the road but fish only. Any aquarium/fish store ive called all said theres no need for the protein skimmer in a minimal fish only tank. I read online a lot that people say get it because theyre messy eaters. Isnt the scraps from a meal mostly larger and caught in the socks or live rock?

Ideally, please respond and follow in my thread

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2406786

If the correct thing to do is to get a skimmer, and for reasons other than 'why not' or 'to be safe' are they recommendations for the 280-320 gallon shark tank? My plan is to have a large sump with most of the live rock there. I have space for internal or external.


skinsncanes is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/03/2014, 08:23 AM   #117
Speed
Unregister Member
 
Speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Outside of Philly
Posts: 195
Quote:
Originally Posted by skinsncanes View Post
Hey guys I read on another thread that this was the place to get a skimmer question answered.
Thats not exactly accurate. This thread is for owners of Life Reef skimmers.

You'll likely get a much better reception here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=212


__________________
Good Things Happen Slowly..... Bad Things Happen Fast!

Current Tank Info: Slowest 125g build in history
Speed is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/03/2014, 08:27 AM   #118
skinsncanes
Registered Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 156
I guess a better question then is should I become a life reef owner? lol


skinsncanes is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/03/2014, 02:20 PM   #119
laserjim
Another Day In Paradise
 
laserjim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,956
Quote:
Originally Posted by skinsncanes View Post
I guess a better question then is should I become a life reef owner? lol
Yes !


__________________
Jim

Current Tank Info: 430 gallon, 4 radion gen 3pro, 4 T5 bulbs, 60 inch Life Reef skimmer, Apex gold, 2 Dos dosers, ,80 gallon sump. 2 Cor pumps. 2 Ecotech MP 60 powerheads
laserjim is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/03/2014, 06:19 PM   #120
skinsncanes
Registered Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 156
Quote:
Originally Posted by laserjim View Post
Yes !
can you point me to a model to research? Tanks going to be 280-300. Fish only, but messy sharks so I want to have adequate filtration.

Thanks!


skinsncanes is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/03/2014, 07:37 PM   #121
wildman926
Registered Member
 
wildman926's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CTX
Posts: 2,904
Quote:
Originally Posted by skinsncanes View Post
can you point me to a model to research? Tanks going to be 280-300. Fish only, but messy sharks so I want to have adequate filtration.

Thanks!
Go to LifeReef's website.


__________________
Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!!

The search function actually works quite well!!

Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie
wildman926 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/03/2014, 09:07 PM   #122
Speed
Unregister Member
 
Speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Outside of Philly
Posts: 195
Quote:
Originally Posted by skinsncanes View Post
can you point me to a model to research? Tanks going to be 280-300.

Thanks!
VS3-30 (external) or SVS3-30 (in sump).
Best bet would be to give Jeff a call and discuss your needs. He will spend as much time with you as needed. His customer service is second to none.


__________________
Good Things Happen Slowly..... Bad Things Happen Fast!

Current Tank Info: Slowest 125g build in history
Speed is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/03/2014, 10:48 PM   #123
clugo
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 537
I have a few question for my Lifereef family:

1. How often do u clean ur skimmer cup and neck?

For those who also one a Lifereef calcium reactor:
2. Did u install a check valve on the line from the co2?

3. Did u install a needle valve to control the output from the reactor ?

If so , did they come w the reactor?

Thanks for ur help.


clugo is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/04/2014, 01:39 AM   #124
Flosscadub
Registered Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 20
Svs3 24

I bought mine in October of 2013
I love the skimmer used in my 93 gallon rimless cube
Best purchase besides my Ati powermodule led.
Here's my question
The skimmer was purchased with mag drive 9.5 pump.
I want to use the sicce syncra 4.0. I want to reduce electricity bill and noise.
Will it compromise the performance if the skimmer?
Has anyone used a different pump?
It might be a dumb question
Please help
Thanks for taking the time to read my post
And for the time to respond
Happy reefing!!


Flosscadub is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/04/2014, 05:14 AM   #125
Yogre
Cheesehead Reefer
 
Yogre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Posts: 1,351
clugo: I clean the cup and neck of my SVS3-30 weekly. It seems to work better that way.

Flosscadub: I use a Water Blaster HY7000 pump on my skimmer. It doesn't matter which pump you use as long as the flow is adequate.


__________________
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." ~ Albert Einstein

Current Tank Info: 215 gal TBS Reef
Yogre is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:39 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Use of this web site is subject to the terms and conditions described in the user agreement.
Reef CentralTM Reef Central, LLC. Copyright ©1999-2022
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.