How are you guys finding the performance of the MTC vs the LR?
I know ken already mentioned the heavier duty build quality of the MTC but is there any difference in skimmate production? Maintenance? Finickiness? Noise?
Also, I just noticed the cap on the MTC. Do you have to undo thumbscrews every time you want to remove the top? What is the reason for those vs a cap that just sits on top like most other skimmers? The one on my LR usually has a pretty good seal, almost like it vacuum locks or something. Is there more pressure in the MTC?
It pulls out more and darker skimmate. Much easier to tune. For me on my LR, it was either to wet, or if I set it drier, it wouldn't pull out too much. I't also has two venturis and is taller. The bubble density in the body is so much more than the LR that it is easy to see. Not just because of the venturis (I had a single venturi as well), but I believe because it uses a 3/4" mazzei instead of a 1". The 1" is very wide and almost like a beckett. That's why he needs a lot of flow through and it doesn't need to be a pressure pump.
It's a mazzei and so the maintenance or finickiness is the exactly same as LR. Also it may be less finicky since the it has a basic feed pump to feed water to it.
The skimmer is as loud or quiet as the pump being used.
I'm not sure if those thumb screws are needed at the top. It ends up being like a vacuum as you mentioned. Especially because it is a sealed skimmer. Actually the LR top doesn't appear to feel sealed at all. The round piece at the top of the lid is a weight (as per Jeff). Also since there is a hole at the top of the lid, that would mean it couldn't seal.
The thumbscrews do not have to be taken out to take the top off. The cap is keyholded. You just unscrew the screws a little and turn the lid by the handle and lift up.
I could be wrong but I think the 2 1/4" ID neck on the LR is a limiting factor. I just don't see how you can use that skimmer on a very large tank. Any other skimmer maker (venturis too) will make a larger neck and/or body for large tanks.
MTC also makes 4 and 6 venturis for larger skimmers. I know of a few very large online retailers that use their skimmers on their commercial tanks.
Here is a 6 venturi beast.
