Reeflo/Sequence Skimmer Club
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
JRaquatics
New member
No, there is not an efficient economical way of getting one created. From are test it has shown that a larger volute may not result in better performance. Mike at Reef Specialty is trying alot of different things to push the Reeflo skimmers to the next level in performance.
RokleM
Premium Member
Well, I upgraded my Reeflo 250 a couple of days ago. Mine was one of the first originals with the AO Smith motor. I just felt like the skimmer could do a little more than it was, although I wasn't disappointed with the purchase. My review of the Reeflo 250 vs my dual NW GEO is a few pages into the original thread.
The upgrades are a new Dart Gold (Baldor) and the upgraded cup, both from Mike at reefspecialty. By the way, I'd like to mention the fact that Mike left me a voicemail at home in addition to a couple of email and phone conversations during the process. Quality product and support going the extra mile without a doubt :thumbsup: I look forward to his needlewheel info when it's available.
Pump:
Although the AO Smith motor is a good motor, it definitely has some downsides in comparison to the new Gold (Baldor). There is quite a price difference between the two though. My AO Smith ran at 160-170 degrees WITH a fan installed on top of it. The same fan installed on the top of my Baldor sets the pump at a lukewarm 112. I saw a max of 125 without the fan, and 130 when stressing the pump to it's max (closing the venturi). That's a pretty significant drop in temperature. Airflow also had a decent jump in performance with the new pump. I need to find my airmeter and check the stats, but when I suck RO/DI water through the tube, I see at least a 25% increase in "sucking speed" over the AO. It's likely the air meter will register similar results. Watts aren't too bad at this point, hovering around 145-147.
Although I'm very happy that Reeflo moved to the Baldor on all new units, it is unfortunate that many of us off the first shipment got the AO. Basically I invested another $200 (price - sale of old pump) in what people get now for free. You can't fault a company for trying to improve a product, but it does make those of us that originally invested early a little ... I'd say irritated or cheated (not mad, not angry, just irritated). Overall either way, still an awesome skimmer regardless.
Cup:
:lol: ok, 'nuff said.
No really, my first though wasn't "WOW THIS IS HUGE" like most have posted, my first though was actually wondering if I needed to upgrade my utility sink in the basement to be able to clean it.
(luckily it fit, but barely heh) It's a significant jump in size over the stock cup. Doing some acrylic work myself, the work is pretty solid. The engraving in the top is a nice feature, very little bubbles in the glue joints, the edges are very clean and smooth indicating a nice sharp bit, no chips or dings at all, and the packaging is downright crazy. Granted the cup is not cheap, but you won't have any concern about it getting there in one piece. Cup surrounded by sytrofoam, in box #1, syrofoam, box #2.
The ONLY downside (and it's minor in my opinion) is the fact I don't really like the drain. I personally would have much rather had a tapped hole. That would allow the end-user to install a quick connect (better than the current in my opinion), valve for shutting in on/off, or whatever else they would like. Granted it was complete out of the box with no additional parts, but possibly just an idea for future changes to the product.
Performance upgrade with the cup and pump:
I need to give this a little more time, but initial readings look really really good. There are a few caveats 1) My skimmer had been running for day one, with no cleaning other than the cup (performance really never went down so no need to), however the unit got a full vinegar bath. 2) The skimmer was offline for two days as I waited on the parts (which were shipped quickly I might add). 3) I increased the flow from roughly 300 to roughly 450ish through the skimmer due to it's ability to handle it.
What I will say is, the first shot below is within one hour. That's how quick the skimmer came back to life with a new cup, new pump, and not having run for a couple of days. The second shot is roughly 24 hours later, chugging along nicely. Again, I'll have to report back in a few weeks, but things look VERY positive. The power-on overflow issues I was seeing are also fixed with this cup.
One hour after turn-up
Roughly 24 hours later
Did I mention it was big? (ReefSpecialty's cup installed, stock Reeflo above, Octopus cup above that).
Additional size help for those that haven't seen it in person. That's a Tunze nano stream, which is about the size of a female's fist or so. As well, those are 4x4 cedar posts directly behind the cup.
We say, THANK YOU Mike!
The upgrades are a new Dart Gold (Baldor) and the upgraded cup, both from Mike at reefspecialty. By the way, I'd like to mention the fact that Mike left me a voicemail at home in addition to a couple of email and phone conversations during the process. Quality product and support going the extra mile without a doubt :thumbsup: I look forward to his needlewheel info when it's available.
Pump:
Although the AO Smith motor is a good motor, it definitely has some downsides in comparison to the new Gold (Baldor). There is quite a price difference between the two though. My AO Smith ran at 160-170 degrees WITH a fan installed on top of it. The same fan installed on the top of my Baldor sets the pump at a lukewarm 112. I saw a max of 125 without the fan, and 130 when stressing the pump to it's max (closing the venturi). That's a pretty significant drop in temperature. Airflow also had a decent jump in performance with the new pump. I need to find my airmeter and check the stats, but when I suck RO/DI water through the tube, I see at least a 25% increase in "sucking speed" over the AO. It's likely the air meter will register similar results. Watts aren't too bad at this point, hovering around 145-147.
Although I'm very happy that Reeflo moved to the Baldor on all new units, it is unfortunate that many of us off the first shipment got the AO. Basically I invested another $200 (price - sale of old pump) in what people get now for free. You can't fault a company for trying to improve a product, but it does make those of us that originally invested early a little ... I'd say irritated or cheated (not mad, not angry, just irritated). Overall either way, still an awesome skimmer regardless.
Cup:
:lol: ok, 'nuff said.
No really, my first though wasn't "WOW THIS IS HUGE" like most have posted, my first though was actually wondering if I needed to upgrade my utility sink in the basement to be able to clean it.
(luckily it fit, but barely heh) It's a significant jump in size over the stock cup. Doing some acrylic work myself, the work is pretty solid. The engraving in the top is a nice feature, very little bubbles in the glue joints, the edges are very clean and smooth indicating a nice sharp bit, no chips or dings at all, and the packaging is downright crazy. Granted the cup is not cheap, but you won't have any concern about it getting there in one piece. Cup surrounded by sytrofoam, in box #1, syrofoam, box #2.The ONLY downside (and it's minor in my opinion) is the fact I don't really like the drain. I personally would have much rather had a tapped hole. That would allow the end-user to install a quick connect (better than the current in my opinion), valve for shutting in on/off, or whatever else they would like. Granted it was complete out of the box with no additional parts, but possibly just an idea for future changes to the product.
Performance upgrade with the cup and pump:
I need to give this a little more time, but initial readings look really really good. There are a few caveats 1) My skimmer had been running for day one, with no cleaning other than the cup (performance really never went down so no need to), however the unit got a full vinegar bath. 2) The skimmer was offline for two days as I waited on the parts (which were shipped quickly I might add). 3) I increased the flow from roughly 300 to roughly 450ish through the skimmer due to it's ability to handle it.
What I will say is, the first shot below is within one hour. That's how quick the skimmer came back to life with a new cup, new pump, and not having run for a couple of days. The second shot is roughly 24 hours later, chugging along nicely. Again, I'll have to report back in a few weeks, but things look VERY positive. The power-on overflow issues I was seeing are also fixed with this cup.
One hour after turn-up
Roughly 24 hours later
Did I mention it was big? (ReefSpecialty's cup installed, stock Reeflo above, Octopus cup above that).
Additional size help for those that haven't seen it in person. That's a Tunze nano stream, which is about the size of a female's fist or so. As well, those are 4x4 cedar posts directly behind the cup.
We say, THANK YOU Mike!
JRaquatics
New member
Hey Ben, did you ever get your skimmer problem resolved?
benf
Premium Member
Yeah, Mike helped with a few changes...i had been running the wedge pipe wide open and a lot of water flow, but the skimmer ran real dry, so I backed the flow down and closed the wedge pipe like the pic above and its more wet now.
Forgot to ask others where in comparison do u run ur wedge pipes?
Forgot to ask others where in comparison do u run ur wedge pipes?
JRaquatics
New member
Good to hear you got your skimmer dialed in.
serpentman
part time superhero
I run my 200 wedge about 5/8 of the way closed.
hurleycr
Member
what are you considering wet?
i've been playing with mine here of late. I had a piece of metric pipe laying around so I decided to try something last weekend. I made the "T" higher. Not a lot higher put higher. So that the water without the pump on is at the upper end of the flange.
What I got was the ability to run more water through the skimmer, my wedge pipe is barely turned at all. Skimate wise, I get what I consider a quality skimate.
Before I was having a hard time getting it wetter, it was always very dry. It would turn to mud before it spilled into the collection cup. If I turned the wedge pipe too much it would overflow easily. Not at first but eventually overflow.
Now I get a nice smelly greenish wet skimate, process more water, and I don't have to clean the be-jesus at of it.
I must say that more than likely my issue was due to a very small bioload in the tank right now. Just not enough to make it run over the cup, but I'm happy so far with the slight change.
i've been playing with mine here of late. I had a piece of metric pipe laying around so I decided to try something last weekend. I made the "T" higher. Not a lot higher put higher. So that the water without the pump on is at the upper end of the flange.
What I got was the ability to run more water through the skimmer, my wedge pipe is barely turned at all. Skimate wise, I get what I consider a quality skimate.
Before I was having a hard time getting it wetter, it was always very dry. It would turn to mud before it spilled into the collection cup. If I turned the wedge pipe too much it would overflow easily. Not at first but eventually overflow.
Now I get a nice smelly greenish wet skimate, process more water, and I don't have to clean the be-jesus at of it.
I must say that more than likely my issue was due to a very small bioload in the tank right now. Just not enough to make it run over the cup, but I'm happy so far with the slight change.
skyhigh222
New member
Is this Possible to add another Rec-pump to this skimmer? Then we can have 4000 l/h of air. I think there is enough space on the other side of the skimmer to attach the second pump.
Request for help with new Reeflo 250
Request for help with new Reeflo 250
A few nights ago I stayed up till 1 am reading every post in the Reeflo Club Forum, initially with curious allure, but by the time I finished, I wanted to buy a 250 for my 500 gal tank to replace a MTC 1000, (which has been doing an adequate job). I ordered one two days later and expect it's delivery on Mon or Tues.
I am starting basic plans to re-vamp my filter room but need to see exactly what this skimmer looks like before making final decisions. (I want to make room for a 5'x 2'x8" frag tank). I'm hoping that someone might be kind enough to answer a few questions. (Once I get the skimmer running, I will be glad to share my experiences with others on this thread). (I'm most curious about answers to question #3)
1. I read in one of the threads that something (outflow pipe?) needs to be cut down (to 7 or 8 inches?). Could someone explain that?
2. I'm considering feeding the skimmer directly from the overflow box. Should I be concerned that debris (tiny snail shells, etc) may damage the needle wheel? Or, are these skimmers pretty destruction-proof? Will the wheel need to be cleaned more frequently if the skimmer is water fed this way?
3. If using water from the overflow box, and using a Y-fitting with a gate valve to regulate the flow to the skimmer, how do you know when you are getting the maximum flow (600-800 g/h?) to the skimmer (without actually measuring the out flow with a bucket and stopwatch)? (I heard there is a way of adjusting the "controls" of the skimmer so you know when you are getting this maximum flow).
4. What dilution of vinegar is recommended for cleaning the new skimmer? Are we just washing with a sponge or actually turning on the skimmer (and messing up the kitchen like I saw on some of the photos...LOL!)
I appreciate any input from you....and can't wait till I get this monster! Already, I'm happy to be a member of this new "club"....and I feel like a proud new papa! (Gotta cigar?!)
Thank you!
Jim
Request for help with new Reeflo 250
A few nights ago I stayed up till 1 am reading every post in the Reeflo Club Forum, initially with curious allure, but by the time I finished, I wanted to buy a 250 for my 500 gal tank to replace a MTC 1000, (which has been doing an adequate job). I ordered one two days later and expect it's delivery on Mon or Tues.
I am starting basic plans to re-vamp my filter room but need to see exactly what this skimmer looks like before making final decisions. (I want to make room for a 5'x 2'x8" frag tank). I'm hoping that someone might be kind enough to answer a few questions. (Once I get the skimmer running, I will be glad to share my experiences with others on this thread). (I'm most curious about answers to question #3)
1. I read in one of the threads that something (outflow pipe?) needs to be cut down (to 7 or 8 inches?). Could someone explain that?
2. I'm considering feeding the skimmer directly from the overflow box. Should I be concerned that debris (tiny snail shells, etc) may damage the needle wheel? Or, are these skimmers pretty destruction-proof? Will the wheel need to be cleaned more frequently if the skimmer is water fed this way?
3. If using water from the overflow box, and using a Y-fitting with a gate valve to regulate the flow to the skimmer, how do you know when you are getting the maximum flow (600-800 g/h?) to the skimmer (without actually measuring the out flow with a bucket and stopwatch)? (I heard there is a way of adjusting the "controls" of the skimmer so you know when you are getting this maximum flow).
4. What dilution of vinegar is recommended for cleaning the new skimmer? Are we just washing with a sponge or actually turning on the skimmer (and messing up the kitchen like I saw on some of the photos...LOL!)
I appreciate any input from you....and can't wait till I get this monster! Already, I'm happy to be a member of this new "club"....and I feel like a proud new papa! (Gotta cigar?!)
Thank you!
Jim
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