Skimmer selections Opinions please

[jrp1588]

Why do people switch to them then? Not trying to be smart, legitimately curious. Haha

 

[d2mini]

Why do people switch to them then? Not trying to be smart, legitimately curious. Haha

In a nutshell, no more hassles that many (not all, obviously) people experience with other skimmers.

All the bullet points here...
http://www.lifereef.com/venturi.html
And you can read the customer testimonials, too.

But this thread shouldn't be about LR vs other skimmers. The OP's hands are tied and LR is out of the question due to size limitations. Let's try to keep it on topic because this isn't helping him. There is a life reef skimmer club thread currently running if you guys want to read or talk more about them.

 

[kris101]

Thanks Dennis. I had the feeling this would be highly debated!
AZJohnny- I think DC pumps have been out for a while. Even bubble King /Vertex/ RO are using DC pumps. It is under warranty so that isn't much of a concern to me at this time.

As far as using my Alpha. I have had an Alpha before and they do have their issues as well.. They do like to over-react now and then.. All skimmers do but the alpha are sensitive to it. Matter of fact it over reacted twice already today so It isn't cut and dry.

thats is why I started this thread to make the best decision. These skimmers are $700 plus so I am looking get my money's worth!

 

[viggen]

I do not think it has anything to do with the DC pump but unrealistic numbers that the manufacturer (and many/all other companies) put on their skimmers.

It's all about balance which includes water - air - dwell time and size.

I would bet the model number is a more realistic max size for that skimmer. When you consider the small size of the skimmer body, the volume of that body and how the skimmer is designed.... Dwell time can't be very long thus 220g max. Will it work on a 300g of coarse it will.... Pull stuff out 24/7

I have no issues with pinwheel skimmers.. Only downdraft style that I used was etss.... My next skimmer will be pinwheel

 

[kris101]

Viggen
Most everything I am reading about it is that it is handling 300+ gallon tanks and that is from searching for real world use on reef central.

I think it is the same dimensions as the Alpha 250

 

[kris101]

specs for the 220Filtration Handling
- 530 Gallon – Light Filtration Demand | 400 Gallon – Medium Filtration Demand | 300 Gallon – Heavy Filtration Demand

Technical Specs
Super Cone Body: 9in
Footprint: 16.5in x 12.2in
Neck Size: 4.75in
Total Height: 24.8in
Output Size: 50mm / 1.5in
Note: Recommended Sump Water Depth: 7.5-9in

Pump Information
Reef Octopus Controllable DC 5500s Pinwheel Pump
Power Consumption: 35-45watts
Air Draw: 1200-2000 lph / 42-70 SCFH*
Water Draw: 344gph

that Air draw drops to 1200- lph because it is a DC pump and can be slowed down

 

[mikeatjac]

Now, now don't get your LR cheerleading nickers in a bunch.... They are still a power and space hog, and if they weren't, the OP wouldn't be asking for an alternative. From reports here, they do not produce the amount of nog as compared to the water throughput, power, and space used as compared to in sump skimmers.

BTW - the airline plumbed into the collection cup is a gimmick NEEDED by a LR skimmer. Normal skimmers, when powered off to clean the cup, the water will back flush into the airlines to clear any salt buildup. Keep your maintenance up on the normal skimmers, and that airline to cup plumbing is not necessary. I found out very easily. LR skimmers do not back flush airline when powered off, and that is due to its design. :wave:

You have a problem with LR skimmers don't you. Your facts are not facts sir.

To the OP I like an external set up better.

 

[kris101]

Specs for the Alpha 250
SPECIFICATIONS:
Tank Size: 200 - 450 Gallons (750 - 1700 L)
Footprint: 13" x 18.5"
Height: 24.5"
Air Draw: Adjustable 1800 to 2100 LPH
V-250 Skimmer Pump: approx. 38W

Not a big difference between the 2

 

[spsfreak1977]

Look into the advast marine
I been doing this for 20 years
Best skimmer I ever had

 

[wildman926]

You have a problem with LR skimmers don't you. Your facts are not facts sir.

To the OP I like an external set up better.

LOL...no, they are not the be all end all for skimmers. My facts are what they are, they are power and space hogs, and do not produce skimmate in relation to the amount of power, water, and space used as compared to other skimmers. There is a thread here that everyone can see for themselves. Not everyone has a room dedicated for their aquarium.

 

[mikeatjac]

LOL...no, they are not the be all end all for skimmers. My facts are what they are, they are power and space hogs, and do not produce skimmate in relation to the amount of power, water, and space used as compared to other skimmers. There is a thread here that everyone can see for themselves. Not everyone has a room dedicated for their aquarium.

I was referring to the comment on the airline.

 

[azjohnny]

LOL...no, they are not the be all end all for skimmers. My facts are what they are, they are power and space hogs, and do not produce skimmate in relation to the amount of power, water, and space used as compared to other skimmers. There is a thread here that everyone can see for themselves. Not everyone has a room dedicated for their aquarium.

I wouldn't consider the LF skimmer to be an energy hog since you can use any pump. The pump I use draws 88 watts which isn't bad and the most pump you will need is a Blueline 40 which draws 120 watts.

I don't feel the LF skimmer pulls any more nog than any of the other top brands, but I will say it is the most stable and lowest maintenance skimmer I have owned ( mostly Euroreef and Octopus brands) It was a weekly job to run hot RO/DI water through the airline and remove the volute to clean any salt deposits with both brands

 

[viggen]

Viggen
Most everything I am reading about it is that it is handling 300+ gallon tanks and that is from searching for real world use on reef central.

I think it is the same dimensions as the Alpha 250

I would put the elite 220 between the vertex vx 200 and vx 170..... Closer to the vx170

The vx200 has a 10in base and 5in neck.... One inch larger base and .25 larger neck vs elite220 - Rated at up to 300g

the vertex vx 170 has a 8.75in base and 4.25 in neck which is a .25 in smaller base and .5 in smaller neck vs the elite220. This skimmer is rated up to 200 gallons.

As you have read the elite will work fine on a 300g. If you want the skimmer to pull stuff out all the time and never get ahead of DOC's then go for it... Many do go this route and have good luck. Others will buy a larger skimmer in a year or two. I prefer buying something larger then needed so the skimmer has headroom and can stay ahead of the bio load.

 

[kris101]

Viggen
Thats why I started this thread. I am still considering the Alpha 300

 

[bawalitt]

Have you considered a Tunze
I currently have a life reef but ran a Tunze 9430 for a few years and the gunk it produced is not matched by the life reef 30" that I am currently running.

The stink that the Tunze gunk produced was like chemical warfare and the life reef skimmate is not even half that.

I am still gonna continue using the life reef as I am running full zeo system and they recommend not using pin wheel skimmers.

 

[wildman926]

I was referring to the comment on the airline.

What is not factual about having to run the airline to the cup for moist air to ensure no salt creep? That is a fault of the venturi driven design. There is someone on the LR thread that tried to run a line outside of cabinet to get fresh air, and it continuously clogged. It states on the website that that is a "positive feature", the owner of lifereef words, not mine. It is not needed on a pinwheel skimmer as the backflush of skimmer water when it is turned off for cup cleaning will keep the venturi clean on the volute. A pinwheel skimmer uses a venturi to draw air and mix with water, with the pinwheel also chopping the water air mix.

I wouldn't consider the LF skimmer to be an energy hog since you can use any pump. The pump I use draws 88 watts which isn't bad and the most pump you will need is a Blueline 40 which draws 120 watts.

I don't feel the LF skimmer pulls any more nog than any of the other top brands, but I will say it is the most stable and lowest maintenance skimmer I have owned ( mostly Euroreef and Octopus brands) It was a weekly job to run hot RO/DI water through the airline and remove the volute to clean any salt deposits with both brands

Thank you for reiterating my point of it being a space and power hog, and that it does not pull any more nog than any other good skimmer.

 

[kris101]

The great skimmer debate has taken root! I am still trying to decide between the Alpha 300 and The Elite 220 int

Both have their strong points and draw backs.. Any real world info for people that Actually use them.

 

[Zarfish]

Got the skimz 223 dc cone skimmer (think is the model) by far the best skimmer I have ever had.

take a look at it.

 

[mikeatjac]

What is not factual about having to run the airline to the cup for moist air to ensure no salt creep? That is a fault of the venturi driven design. There is someone on the LR thread that tried to run a line outside of cabinet to get fresh air, and it continuously clogged. It states on the website that that is a "positive feature", the owner of lifereef words, not mine. It is not needed on a pinwheel skimmer as the backflush of skimmer water when it is turned off for cup cleaning will keep the venturi clean on the volute. A pinwheel skimmer uses a venturi to draw air and mix with water, with the pinwheel also chopping the water air mix.



Thank you for reiterating my point of it being a space and power hog, and that it does not pull any more nog than any other good skimmer.

Listen all skimmers air entry point needs to be cleaned at times. If you want to get technical a pinwheel skimmer needs to be soaked more often than one used on a LR.

However you do seem to have a burr under your saddle for LR skimmers and if you read your signature you should say nothing. I have used your skimmer and I would call say it is a middle of the pack skimmer. In fact I have used most skimmers. I am a big fan of ATB skimmers.

The benefits of a LR skimmers are;
It is a set and forget skimmer.
The easiest skimmer to adjust to a new tank or bio load.
Cons;
Uses more power.
Tends to be taller than most pinwheel skimmers.

 

[ct_vol]

I am a big fan of ATB skimmers.

:thumbsup: