MRC Club

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Steve,

I 2nd the MR-4. I am using a dual-Beckett MR-3 on my 120g (Total volume w/sump & fuge is about 300g). Andy's website rates the MR-3 at 500g, and seeing how it operates on my system, I believe it. I am driving it with a Blueline HD70 that does a great job of making millions of tiny bubbles (to quote Don Ho).
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6653458#post6653458 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SteveDohoney
What pump would you run?


P.S. don't tell Noschwag its a surprise!
Click to expand...

I'm running a GRI 520, and don't think it's doing as well as a BL70HD would do. The BL70 has a higher max. head than the GRI.

NoSchwag probably has alarms going off all around him when someone posts to this thread, i'm sure he'll be along soon. :lol:
 
Also,

If you e-mail Andy with your system specs, he will recommend a skimmer and pump for your situation. That is what I did, trusted his advice, and I am extremely happy with the choice I made. You will not be disappointed if you follow what Andy recommends.

HTH,

Mike
 
This made my day :) I knew I would convert the guy to a becket sooner or later. I have to warn you tho, once you get it dialed in, you will get bored with your tank because there will be nothing for you to play with.

Steve find out if the top riser tube on the mr4 is as wide as the mr3.

You want the top riser tube as wide as possible You'll be running it wet, the wider the top riser, the more area for particles to get sucked up by the solid foam, the more area for bubbles to pop :)

look how wide the riser tube is on this..

http://www.precisionmarine.com/html/bullet-3.html

This skimmer with a iwaki 70 (PCX-70) is what uncle bomber uses and recommends on his big a$$ tank.

For the record I wish my top riser was wider, I would remove much more particle matter if it was. It's preety wide, But I wish it was wider.
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6654011#post6654011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NoSchwag
This made my day :) I knew I would convert the guy to a becket sooner or later.

Steve find out if the top riser tube on the mr4 is as wide as the mr3.

You want the top riser tube as wide as possible You'll be running it wet, the wider the top riser, the more area for bubbles to pop :)

look how wide the riser tube is on this..

http://www.precisionmarine.com/html/bullet-3.html

This skimmer with a iwaki 70 (PCX-70) is what uncle bomber uses and recommends on his big a$$ tank.

For the record I wish my top riser was wider, I would remove much more particle matter if it was. It's preety wide, But I wish it was wider.
Click to expand...

Um uh im its for my friend he has a tank just like mine. :D

The pm does not really look that much wider at the top.

Here is what kills me about skimmers. The bullet 3 looks to be similar to the MRC 4 The bullet is rated for 400g and the MRC 900g :confused:


On a serious note the wife came home today and my whole 10g reservior was filled and overflowing. She shut it down and 1 pump would not restart. I've just about had it.

BUT on a happy note I picked up a 42" plasma for the love den. Having a small gathering on Sunday, stop by around 5 if you'd like. I think there is a fooseball game on too :smokin:
 
New_BLT3_M.jpg


mr461qm.jpg



It's wider.. Look at where the bottom riser meets the top riser. Make some calls to see how much wider.

Congrats on the tv :) I wish you picked it up last week, I already have plans for the game :( Thank you for the invite. I feel like I have a friend now ;)
 
Here is some eye candy for you. Taken tonight 2 days after cleaning.

dsc029855gx.jpg


I really need to stop feeding so much. :)

On a serious note the wife came home today and my whole 10g reservior was filled and overflowing. She shut it down and 1 pump would not restart. I've just about had it.
Click to expand...

This happened to a dude on here who had one of the healthiest SPS tanks on this site. His needlewheel skimmer overflowed 1 too many times and now he's getting out of the game :( Not sure how much the incidents had to do with it, but I'm sure they played a role. The overflows started to get expensive.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6654011#post6654011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NoSchwag
......You want the top riser tube as wide as possible You'll be running it wet, the wider the top riser, the more area for particles to get sucked up by the solid foam, the more area for bubbles to pop :).....
Click to expand...

Well, you got me thinking about this quote. Why is just about every skimmer (except the PM) made with the neck smaller than the main riser? Have they been wrong all along? I'm seriously asking, as I have no way of knowing.

What about the height of the neck? if you extend that, does it effect foam production differently than extending the main riser?

Thanks!
 
The reduced top riser was designed for dry foam. In a needlewheel type skimmer the pumps wouldn't be strong enough to keep a solid head of foam up a big clinder, the needlewheel pumps just don't create enough pressure.

Not sure what would happen if you extended the neck, probably more contact time. It would make it eaiser for a pump to keep a solid foam longer. I don't care about this, my pump is strong enough to not keed help from a reduced tube to keep a solid head.

If I were to upgrade and decided to keep the mrc, I would get a 12" bottom riser, not top riser.
 
I am thinking on a 18 inch bottom riser, and another beckett, and dual iwaki 70's. LOL I have the extra iwaki, I should try the duals out. It would probably overflow the skimmer unless i added to the height with the large bottem riser?
 
Dialing it in....

Dialing it in....

Alright... So I finally got my MR-2/Blue-Line 55 set up, and it's breaking in... But, I've got a question...

I've never been able to play with water level and air before, so, my question is this:

To get a dryer foam, I'd raise or lower water level, and raise or lower air amount?

And of course, conversely, to get wetter foam, what would I do? Andy's instructions give you a setup point, but don't really get in to how to dial it in to your liking...


I'm not looking for precision, just a "direction" to go in; I remember reading a set up page here, but I went through 3 of the threads (at 50-ish pages each), and couldn't find it (Yeah, I'm a masochist) Any thoughts/ideas/help will result in a giant monetary reward (Or perhaps just a thank you, not sure yet)... :)


-Andy/Oldimpala
 
After it breaks in, start with your water level a little lower and open the air to get small bubbles, let it run for a while. Then just adjust the water level until you get the skimmate of your liking. After an adjustment, let it run for a couple of hours to settle in to that setting. But keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't overflow.

I'm hopeing for the 'giant monetary award'. :)
 
Alright, sounds easy enough....


So, is there a pattern to getting a dryer foam, like increasing the air, and lowering the water, or is it just kinda a hit and miss adjustment....

I'm sorry if I sound like a complete newbie; I've used Venturi and NW skimmers before, but those only had 1 knob for me to mess with... :)


PS- Check's in the mail, just don't cash it for a while.. :)


-Andy/oldimpala
 
And of course, conversely, to get wetter foam, what would I do? Andy's instructions give you a setup point, but don't really get in to how to dial it in to your liking...
Click to expand...

I can tell you how mine is set up..

Once running, my thick column of foam starts right at or before the top riser. My bubbles pop right at the top. Check out my picture a few posts up you can see the bubbles. My air valve is only opened like 2.5 turns.
 
Alright guys talk to me about maintenance on these things. How often do you clean the injector and long does it take?
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6659217#post6659217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SteveDohoney
Alright guys talk to me about maintenance on these things. How often do you clean the injector and long does it take?
Click to expand...

I just clean the injector if something gets in it...valonia is the biggest culprit in my tank. It takes about 5 minutes...if that.




Congrats HippieSmell:D
 
Ereefic,
NoSchwag,
fishdoc11,
& anyone else that can help,
I have a MR2, with pcx 55 pump, over the side feed. I'v had it almost a year & have gotten a total of maybe a quart of skimmate. Ereefic you helped me before through PM. My problem is the skimmer either floods or the foam collapses before it goes over the side of the collection cup. I use 1inch hard line to feed the skimmer. I have ordered a ASM G3, but something tells me not to give up on my MR2. I can supply any pics needed. HELP
thanks,
Dave
 
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