I picked up my 48 inch dual mazzie on Friday and got it up and running yesterday. Its running a little wet at the moment even with the gate valve wide open but it should settle down in the next few days as it breaks in. Very impressed with it so far. Need to rig up something to flush venturis and will eventually put in a neck cleaner.
Skimmer, Lifereef vs MTC
- Thread starter hkgar
- Start date
Conor_K
Member
Seems like everyone using these is rocking monsters.
Anyone have any experience with the 30" MVX series? I've seen so much on the LR that I have liked.
I have not seen much on these except this thread and Ken's gentle elbows thrown at LR compared to MTC in the LR club thread.. :lol:
Anyone have any experience with the 30" MVX series? I've seen so much on the LR that I have liked.
I have not seen much on these except this thread and Ken's gentle elbows thrown at LR compared to MTC in the LR club thread.. :lol:
bayoupr
New member
I have been running Lifereef for a few years and love them. Now I am running a 36" MVX (wanted to try one of these). Skimmer been running for 4 days now and after one day it was producing very nice (this is with the stock mazzei (684) and a Panworld 50PX pump). The build is heavy duty, I like the fact that this skimmer can be taken completely apart for cleaning. The one thing it doesn't have is the injector air hose hooked to the cup pulling the moist air out keeping the injector clean (Lifereef has this). I see no way to add this to the cup because the MVX doesn't have the inner ring on the inside of the lid (foam hits the lid and spreads across the underside of lid and down the sides) you would be pulling in foam through the injector. No big deal and long as you clean it regularly (warm RO water). I am currently offshore but as soon as I get in I will post a couple of pictures. I will probably retro fit this with my 1" 884 injector and see how this works (I like to experiment) with these venturi skimmers which means I will do this.
d2mini
Premium Member
Interesting.
Is this really that much different than the LifeReef? I guess I haven't payed that much attention to mine.
bayoupr
New member
d2mini, on the underside of the MVX cup these is no inner ring for the foam to hit and direct down instead of out and down (the lid is like the MRC beckett skimmers on the underside). If you came out the top of the cup or the side these there is a good chance (from what I see on mine no doubt) that the injector would draw in foam with the air which in time would probably build up in the air hose and injector. At least this is what I see.
lovetoreef
New member
I am currently running a MVX 30" skimmer powered by a Vectra pump ... the build quality is absolutely amazing ... he builds these things like a beast ... it is reliable, produces great for me and has been the best piece of equipment I have purchased in a while
I love it so far, and, I am actually looking at having a custom built re-circulating version due to some design changes ... but, I can't recommend these enough
I love it so far, and, I am actually looking at having a custom built re-circulating version due to some design changes ... but, I can't recommend these enough
bayoupr
New member
I have been running a MVX 36 for 10 days now and here is my take on this skimmer;
MVX 36
PROS - Can be taken completely apart for cleanings. I like the larger dia neck (although not that overly larger). Excellent build quality, thicker material than Lifereef. Responds better to frozen foods (doesn't over skim too much with the larger neck)
CONS - Don't like the back to back 90's on the top (too much pump restriction, IMO), I have fixed this, see pictures. The output tee from the water in is too low in the body (water and air were exiting too low to the water exit out the body, micro bubbles), I have raised this and now no micro bubbles. I have also raised the gate valve on the exit with some 90's and PVC nipples to above the water, then 90 back down into the water on an angle. Moist air not routed back to the venturi to keep it clean. I added a ball valve on the collection cup but this can't be closed off while the skimmer is running or you will kill the water level in the skimmer (like a downdraft and beckett skimmer does) Pictures don't show this change because I did this after taking them. I don't find his customer service as responsive as Jeff at Lifereef. KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE MY PET_PEAVES ONLY. But this is me being picky. All in all it is a very nice skimmer.
Lifereef
PROS - Excellent build also. Moist air routed back into the venturi from the cup. Bigger cup for skimmate. Quicker replies from Jeff at Lifereef. You can set up the external plumbing (venturi, piping unions) the way you want to without having to modify something that comes in place already.
CONS - Don't like the o-ring cup connection. Would like to see a bottom flange so you can dissemble the entire skimmer for cleaning (24, 30 and 36 models). Skimmer responds crazy to frozen foods (skims real wet for a good 40mins after switching back on from feeding cycle).
In my opinion you can not go wrong with either skimmer, both work excellent at removing crap from the system. They both work great like they are but if your like me I like to make changes to suit myself.
I cleaned the cup 3 days ago.
MVX 36
PROS - Can be taken completely apart for cleanings. I like the larger dia neck (although not that overly larger). Excellent build quality, thicker material than Lifereef. Responds better to frozen foods (doesn't over skim too much with the larger neck)
CONS - Don't like the back to back 90's on the top (too much pump restriction, IMO), I have fixed this, see pictures. The output tee from the water in is too low in the body (water and air were exiting too low to the water exit out the body, micro bubbles), I have raised this and now no micro bubbles. I have also raised the gate valve on the exit with some 90's and PVC nipples to above the water, then 90 back down into the water on an angle. Moist air not routed back to the venturi to keep it clean. I added a ball valve on the collection cup but this can't be closed off while the skimmer is running or you will kill the water level in the skimmer (like a downdraft and beckett skimmer does) Pictures don't show this change because I did this after taking them. I don't find his customer service as responsive as Jeff at Lifereef. KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE MY PET_PEAVES ONLY. But this is me being picky. All in all it is a very nice skimmer.
Lifereef
PROS - Excellent build also. Moist air routed back into the venturi from the cup. Bigger cup for skimmate. Quicker replies from Jeff at Lifereef. You can set up the external plumbing (venturi, piping unions) the way you want to without having to modify something that comes in place already.
CONS - Don't like the o-ring cup connection. Would like to see a bottom flange so you can dissemble the entire skimmer for cleaning (24, 30 and 36 models). Skimmer responds crazy to frozen foods (skims real wet for a good 40mins after switching back on from feeding cycle).
In my opinion you can not go wrong with either skimmer, both work excellent at removing crap from the system. They both work great like they are but if your like me I like to make changes to suit myself.
I cleaned the cup 3 days ago.
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LowHangingFruit
New member
Could you better explain your micro bubble problem?
bayoupr
New member
Didn't get the quick release cup because when I clean the cup I clean the underside of the upper flange also because of build up so the quick release was a waste of money for me. I do the same on my lifereef.
Micro bubbles were exiting the skimmer into my sump and in my DT. I raised the tee up on the inlet in the skimmer and this eliminated this. No big deal
NeverlosT
A bit fishy
I know that most folk are using big panworld or Iwaki pumps on these skimmers, to quote the thread earlier "no sissy DC pumps here".
Has anyone tried one of these with a not-sissy DC pump like the Vectra M1 or L1 or a Royal Exclusiv RD3 Speedy?
I'm thinking that dual Mazzei with a RD3 speedy would be one hell of a performer, controllable, and efficient.
Interested in peoples thoughts.
Has anyone tried one of these with a not-sissy DC pump like the Vectra M1 or L1 or a Royal Exclusiv RD3 Speedy?
I'm thinking that dual Mazzei with a RD3 speedy would be one hell of a performer, controllable, and efficient.
Interested in peoples thoughts.
Pictures please.
jason2459
Well-known member
Just talked to Jeff this afternoon. 36" w/ quick change head and lid with center hole drilled for my swabbie neck cleaner.
He says he's very backed up due to recent health issues and about 3 weeks out from getting me that skimmer. I'm very excited. That mag 1800 has been lonely.
