Lets get some venturi skimmer reviews

[Snook65]

I have had a lifereef skimmer, sump, calcium reactor, etc. for five or six years now. As great as everything else is, the protein skimmer has been driving me crazy in that I am having a hard time adjusting it to produce a steady skimmate. It seems to have no problems during the day, but has a habit of overflowing at night sometimes filling my overflow container with 1/2 gallon of liquid (and yes it has filled that container and overflowed onto the floor a few times as well). Jeff is a great guy at Lifereef, but I have not been able to figure out what exactly is my problem. The last time I changed pumps I moved up to the next largest size of Little Giant pump, 3-MDQX-SC, per Jeff's suggestion but do not think that has actually changed anything for the better. Ladies and Gentlemen I am open to any suggestions you might have, as purchasing another skimmer is not a current option.

 

[Rwinfrey]

which lifereef do you have

 

[porthios]

i have the same problem snook65. i'm running it in sump w/a sen 900. i've tried adjusting its depth, cleaning the venturi, etc. and i just can't get it to work very well at all..

 

[DeltecRules]

You can also add Grotech and Fauna Marin Jet system to the mix. I would love to see some review of these skimmers.

 

[Snook65]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10064700#post10064700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rwinfrey
which lifereef do you have

Rwinfrey it is the VS2-24

 

[Rwinfrey]

although he says you don't have to clean your venturi you do ,is the output over your water line ,did this start olny when you got the new pump

 

[Snook65]

No, I have had problems pretty much since I bought it. Because of the overflows, I run it very dry which at times means it does not produce any skimmate. I do run hot RO/DI water thru the air tube every two to three weeks and about every quarter I will dismantle the skimmer and thoroughly clean it out, including unscrewing the venturi and making sure it is clean. Admittedly I do have some dietrius (sp) in the bottom of the skimmer maybe about an 1/8" thick. Would this be causing the problem?
To answer your question, the output from the skimmer is slightly higher, maybe 1/2", from the high water line in my sump. This is the way Jeff had it set up when I purchased it from him. Should I think about trying to raise my skimmer up a few inches? That would be about the maximum I could raise it do to limitations inside my stand.

 

[Rwinfrey]

oh man that is your problem trust me I have set a bunch of these up.even the big ones sometimes do this can you raise it up.if you can raise it so the base is at water line and you can even run it wet.

 

[Snook65]

Rwinfrey, first thanks for your help. I will measure in the morning to see how high I can raise the skimmer up from the floor. I will just need to get new lengths of tubing but I should have that in my stockpile. I do not think there is anyway I can get the base as high as the sump water level though. Do you think it I can gain 4-5 inches it would be of some help?

 

[porthios]

really? base at the water level?!? thought they needed to be about 8-10" below water level..

 

[Rwinfrey]

I know it sounds wierd and it is but it does work I had the same problem with the 60 in.I set up a store display and the thing overflow with any sump level movment.I am talking 25 tanks into one sump there was movment.So I did some reconfigoring raised the skimmer base to the water level and alicazam no more overflows.This wasn't the olny time either me freind has three of these skimmers 2 x24 and 1x36 and what do you we tried it and again problem solved

 

[skimmy]

i had a grotec hea 150,

hands down probably one of the very best skimmers i've owned.
that little jet venturi on an eheim 1250 really smokes! i'd say it was better than many of the needle wheel skimmers i've owned.
and grotec's build quality is awesome, on line with h&s and royal exclusive.
and they were the first to have a wedge adjuster in the standpipe return, which works flawlessly.
the only problem was trying to get a replacement lid when my dog chewed it up, nobody could seem to help me get parts to usa... a typical scenario with import skimmers..