Lifereef skimmers ?

[spence15610]

I am looking to upgrade my AquaC EV 120 to a better skimmer, I was in the LFS today looking @ the ASM, ER and PM beckett skimmers and talking with one of the long time employees of that store about the pros & cons of each style of skimmer, he said that I should check out a lifereef skimmer (they don't sale them there) that he has had one for about 8 years on his 150 sps tank at home and was one kick butt skimmer that he would put up against any needle wheel or beckett skimmer, I haven't read to much about these skimmers and noticed that there is not much talk about them here on RC, whats everyone think of these, I checked out there web site but still don't know much.

Thanks in advance
Chris

 

[Shaun120]

Hi Spence15610

I have two Lifereef VS2-24 one on a 120 and another on a 67gal (kinda overkill, got a good deal on it). I can say compared to the many different types and brands of skimmers I have owned and used, the Lifereef has been the best. Though you can probably find others that are comparable and maybe a little less expensive you can't beat the quality of the Lifereef skimmer.

I purchased a complete Berlin system from Jeff at Lifereef and it went together perfectly. I didn't have to hunt around for fittings, tubing or anything everything was included.

The skimmers basically come with everything ready to go, and I have never needed to clean the venturi valve (eventhough I have). On other skimmers I had to constantly make sure that thing didn't get clogged up.

I don't know Jeff personally but am completely happy with his products! Not that the VS2-24 is the best skimmer out there (I have not used them all) and maybe a little pricy but in my opinion worth it.

I have some other friends that use EuroReef skimmers (not the cheap ones) and love them, but have had to do some routine maintenance on them periodically. Once the VS2-24 is set you basically forget it.

Again this is just my opinion…

 

[spence15610]

Shaun120 - thanks for the reply, I did notice that they are a bit pricey , but a bit less than a ER rc series skimmer, I would really like to have a skimmer that I don't always have to tinker with, thats the problem with my AquaC EV120 it seems to always need the spray injection cleaned and is not that good of a skimmer in my opinion

 

[spence15610]

anyone else here have a comment about the lifereef skimmers, any info I could get would shure be helpful for my quest to get the perfect skimmer, but without paying BK prices

 

[docwells]

I used to own a VS2-24 in sump model. It was a well built skimmer and the upkeep consisted of cleaning the cup for the most part. I bought it used with the CLF system ( sump and skimmer). After a while, I decided to try some newer technology and got a Geo needlewheel skimmer. It is oversized for my tank, but it does a great job. I think it is a definite upgrade over the Lifereef.

 

[spence15610]

Thanks for the info docwells Iwill also check out that skimmer, I'm not sure yet what skimmer I will go with so I'm checking all options, some say beckett some say NW, The GEO looks great

 

[hulley]

The life Reef skimmers look quite interesting! I'm looking into the Bermuda Aquatics BPS 5C for my 180g that I'm setting up right now, but I may look into these lifereef skimmers a little more!

 

[docwells]

I think you would be very happy with the Geo skimmer. His stuff is top of the line. I have used a Geo kalkreactor and calcium reactor in the past. Nothing but good things to say about them.

 

[hulley]

There is no way I'm spending that much money on a NW skimmer with a sedra pump!! They may be high quality, but it is still a NW skimmer and its the Dimmensions that make the difference in production! I'll probably never own another NW skimmer again!

 

[spence15610]

I agree with you hulley, some of the prices on the NW skimmers are crazy, you would think they would be gold plated at those prices, but as long as people are paying they will keep up the cost

 

[Shaun120]

I got this directly from the Lifereef site (below) so it is probably biased. However its logical about the type of pump you have to use and to replace a Needle-Wheel impeller can be pricy and they will build up with calcium and other things decreasing their efficiency. You have to clean them periodically.

"Needle-Wheels: Can be noisy due to vibration and rigid mounting to skimmer body. Can be more noisy due to air cavitation since the air is introduced before the pump, and the pump needle-wheel beats the air into bubbles. And something else to consider is the proprietary pump which means no other pump can be used on this type of skimmer. Lifereef skimmers can use any pump as long as the minimum gph is maintained."--Lifereef site

Not that I think any one particular skimmer is the best, all different methods have merit. It is that from all the protein skimmers I have owned the Lifereef has been the best for me.

 

[hulley]

I've been checking out the Lifereef skimmers and the Bermuda Aquatics skimmers, both skimmers look similar in the way they introduce air into the skimmer and you can use what ever pump you decide as long as it is rated properly. A couple of members on RC that use the Bermuda skimmers are very happy with the products.
I was looking into a beckett skimmer for my 180g, but it seems they are high maintance.
I'm willing to bet that if you can check a NW pump under load, especially after its been "modded" they consume far more watts than advertised!

 

[kb27973]

I bought my Berlin system from Jeff probably six years ago and am still using the same system on a different tank. He lives about 20 miles from me so I went to pick it up at his house. He used to build all this stuff in his basement. Anyway, his stuff is more expensive but it's very good quality. I wouldn't mind having a new setup but his stuff lasts forever so I don't really need one. I've sent friends to him for custom acrylic work and nobody has complained (except about cost).

Ken

 

[hulley]

I'm comparing the LR VS3-30 vs. the BA BPS-5C and the Lifereef is actually less money! but only by a few dollars. Both skimmers are rated the same and use the similar pumps for examples.

 

[spence15610]

the guy from the LFS that told me about lifereef invited me to his house to check out his skimmer, so after work me and a friend of mine who just bought a ER rc135 stopped to see the LR skimmer in action, we was impressed at how much nasty skimmate it was putting out (just as much if not more than the ER rc135) my friend said he wished he would of looked at the lifereef before spending over $700.00 on the ER and really when compared to other quality skimmers the LR is not bad priced, I'm looking at the VS2-24 with a 3MDQX-SC pump $459.00 and less maintenance than most skimmers

 

[hulley]

Ya know, the funny thing is that I'm leaning toward the Bermuda skimmer over the Lifereef because if fits my under cabinet set up a little better! I want a skimmer that is externally mounted (with out having to raise it) and have a submersible pump to run it! I can do it with both but I think I would have to raise the LR to get the water output high enough to go back into my sump! Not a big deal either way, and certainly not enough to warrant the Bermuda the winner by any means. Both skimmers look like winners to me! I'm tired of NWs. I think they are junk. I cant believe so many people buy them! Heck I've got an ASM G2 right now on my 90g and it produces a lot of gunk but my water doesnt look that great! The skimmer is rated for a 200g tank!

 

[spence15610]

I checked out the Bermuda skimmers and they look very comparable to the Lifereef, if you get one hulley keep us posted on the results

 

[hulley]

Will do, I'm hoping to make a purchase by next week. I'll be doing a build up thread on my 180g soon on the custom stand/canopy and all my equipment and transfering rock/livestock and adding more rock very soon. I'm very excited to say the least!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

tip: do a search and use lifereef skimmer as your key words.

These aren't cutting edge skimmers, but they're very good at what they do and will last a lifetime.

 

[spence15610]

Thanks for all the input everyone, I'm still not sure what skimmer or type of skimmer I will go with, but the Liferef is one to consider among others, I would like to hear from others on what skimmer they use and why they chose that skimmer, I'm open for suggestions