MTC skimmer club!

[jason2459]

I'm still loving the skimmer. I'm glad I got the quick change head but also really happy I can remove the entire top with the flange thumbscrews to get a really good cleaning done. I'll probably do that about once a month. Get a good wipe under the flange. Also super happy to have the neck cleaner. I'll probably keep up with removing the collection cup at the quick change every couple weeks. So, I guess kind of alternate between removing via quick change and flange.

I cleaned out my skimmer last night. Been just over a week and not quite 2 weeks since last cleaning. And this is like the ultimate foaming beast. I'm still getting about 6 cups per day

And thick

Like upside down Dairy Queen Blizzard thick

And this morning.

 

[jjvanb]

Gotta take it outside to clean it huh? If my wife sees that pic I'll be banished outside for all future skimmer cleanings!

 

[jason2459]

Ha! Yeah but in the winter I have to do it after everyone's already in bed and asleep. lol

 

[hkgar]

Hey, is Jeff ok? I have a skimmer ordered and yesterday sent an email asking for an update on the order status. I have received no reply and tonight called the number and there was no answer after at least 15 rings.

Cause for concern?

 

[jason2459]

Hey, is Jeff ok? I have a skimmer ordered and yesterday sent an email asking for an update on the order status. I have received no reply and tonight called the number and there was no answer after at least 15 rings.

Cause for concern?

I would say it's normal and no cause for concern right now. How long ago did you order? I think it took a little over 5 weeks to get mine.

I did talk to him a couple weeks ago on the phone.

 

[hkgar]

I placed my order on the 11th and received a confirmation email stating he was working on it and should be done in a week, when we talked on the phone before I placed the order he stated about two weeks, but the order confirmation email stated about a week

 

[jason2459]

I placed my order on the 11th and received a confirmation email stating he was working on it and should be done in a week, when we talked on the phone before I placed the order he stated about two weeks, but the order confirmation email stated about a week

Yeah, that's normal. I would guess it will be ready anywhere between 1-5 weeks. [emoji1]

Seriously. It's so worth the wait IMO. It's been warned many times that it will take a while and he's not easy to get a hold of but he really does mean well, super nice to talk to, and builds a great skimmer.

 

[jjvanb]

I placed my order on the 11th and received a confirmation email stating he was working on it and should be done in a week, when we talked on the phone before I placed the order he stated about two weeks, but the order confirmation email stated about a week

Sounds similar to my experience. I called and let it ring 15 times to try to place an order at least 10 or 12 times. After emailing I finally got a call, after speaking with him, I placed my order. He told me it should take about 2 weeks. Well..... After about 5 weeks I sent him a reminder email. He got it to me a week after that. Was it worth the wait?? Absolutely!! I read the other posts about build quality, but you really have to see it for yourself. Now that it has broken in, the super fine almost creamy foam head stays exactly where you set it. I,'ve been busy with some other things, but i'll get around to posting photos soon. Be patient, you'll love it once it does arrive.

 

[hkgar]

I got an email response from him last night and he said it would be packed this weekend and sent out on Monday. Keeping my fingers crossed. Anxious to get it as it is replacing a Life Reef that broke. To be fair it was my fault it broke.

 

[whyamisofly]

I got an email response from him last night and he said it would be packed this weekend and sent out on Monday. Keeping my fingers crossed. Anxious to get it as it is replacing a Life Reef that broke. To be fair it was my fault it broke.

Replacing with MTC because you want to try something new, or replacing because you weren't happy with it?

 

[hkgar]

Replacing with MTC because you want to try something new, or replacing because you weren't happy with it?

Absolutely nothing wrong with the Life Reef. I have read good things about the MTC and thought it might be better. Remains to be seen as the Life Reef was very good.

 

[whyamisofly]

Absolutely nothing wrong with the Life Reef. I have read good things about the MTC and thought it might be better. Remains to be seen as the Life Reef was very good.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[hkgar]

Just got my MVX 36 inch on Wednesday and after 3 days I am quite pleased with the performance.

One thing I would like to add is a shut off valve on the collection cup drain. Has anyone put a valve a=on the and if so where did you get a barbed valve. I haven't been able to find one.

 

[jjvanb]

You could try one of the two little fishies ball valves, but don't close it all the way or the air won't be able to escape.

 

[jason2459]

I'm still not sure how well it would work with that shut. Someone previously asked the same question.

I'd get a container to drain into. I use a 5 gallon bucket. I use couple safety things like a float switch and a pressure switch to shutdown the skimmer and alert me its near full and full.

 

[Desert Sea]

I asked Jeff from MTC about plugging that drain port and he said you have to leave it open in order for the unit to work properly. If you plug it, there ends up being little to no air flow.

I bought an Avast Davy Jones skimmate locker for it to discharge into. It has a sensor on it that connects to an aquarium controller like the Apex and will shut down the skimmer when it's full and send you a message to empty it if you want.

 

[jason2459]

Just got my MVX 36 inch on Wednesday and after 3 days I am quite pleased with the performance.

One thing I would like to add is a shut off valve on the collection cup drain. Has anyone put a valve a=on the and if so where did you get a barbed valve. I haven't been able to find one.

Should be broken in now. How are you liking it compared to the lifereef? Build quality comparable? I think someone said the MTC has thicker materials?

Edit: oh and what pump are you driving the skimmer with? I don't think I saw you post that.

 

[hkgar]

Should be broken in now. How are you liking it compared to the lifereef? Build quality comparable? I think someone said the MTC has thicker materials?

Edit: oh and what pump are you driving the skimmer with? I don't think I saw you post that.

The skimmer is driven with a Mag 18 and is doing very well. Performance as to skimate production is similar and possibly a bit better than the Life Reef. I think the build quality and particular the design are superior to Lifereef.

I had the Lifereef for 3 years before it leaked from a fracture and I couldn't stop the leak.

 

[jason2459]

The skimmer is driven with a Mag 18 and is doing very well. Performance as to skimate production is similar and possibly a bit better than the Life Reef. I think the build quality and particular the design are superior to Lifereef.

I had the Lifereef for 3 years before it leaked from a fracture and I couldn't stop the leak.

Thanks! Yeah, I was very surprised, pleasantly, with the performance of the mag 18 on the skimmer.

 

[hkgar]

Thanks! Yeah, I was very surprised, pleasantly, with the performance of the mag 18 on the skimmer.

Jeff suggested an external, Blueline 30 I believe, but I didn't want to drill the tank (sump)

Do I remember correctl,y from some previous posts, that you have substituted an after market venturi?