The Life Reef Skimmer Club

[DavidinGA]

[emoji38]spin:

I'm quite happy with my setup and hope you will be as well.

I got an email back from life reef and he had tons of praise for the mag18 on the svs3-30 and pretty much didn't answer my questions about the sp4 pump. I emailed back on sp4 again and he said he can't get them and didn't know much about them.

So if I went with the sp4 it'd cost a good bit more buying the pump separate without any bundle discount (like you get with the skimmer+mag18 deal)...

 

[shaggss]

Considering a SVS3-30 IN-SUMP LR skimmer and am comparing the recommended Mag18 pump vs a SP4 pump.

My main concern between them is that the recommended Mag18 pump is said to be pretty loud. Would the SP4 pump be sufficiently quieter?

Also, on paper it seems you get more performance at less power draw from the SP4, true?


Mag Drive 18 - 150/watts

0' 1500gph
1' 1325
3' 1200
5' 1100



Fluval Sea SP4 Pump - 88/watts

0' 1822gph
1.5' 1672
3' 1548
4.5' 1347
5.7' 1281



Thoughts?

Thanks
:dance:




*edit*
Also, is this info true about the fluval pumps? I found a guy on RC posting info on them..

"For those considering the Laguna 1500, I would strongly recommend considering the new Fluval Sea SP4. It is the same pump with a higher output, stand, barbed fittings, and upgraded bearings. Basically they noticed that the hobbyists were using the Laguna pond pumps and decided to make a version for the aquarium world that would be ready to go right out of the box. And yes, this pump (SP4 and SP6 only) still has the "Smart Pump Technology" that made the Laguna 1500 - 4200 such a great pump."

"Fluval and Laguna are branches of Hagen. Hagen's pump motors (at least the ones we are talking about) are made by Askoll in Italy. Askoll pump motors were also used by Royal Exclusive which makes the Red Dragon although he claims that he purchased custom motor blocks direct from Askoll. It's definitely believable since his pumps have 10" cords and Laguna pumps have 20' cords. ATB also used Askoll pumps but here in the US they were modified Laguna pumps and not purchased directly from Askoll. This enabled them to have great customer service because Hagen was really good with ATB regarding the warranty"


Sounds like Fluval should be very solid pumps if they are made by Laguna/Hagen who gets motors from Askol; right?

SP4 user here on a 28". Very quiet and stable. You can't here the pump really.

 

[EvMiBo]

For me. If you're not going to run a mag in sump then look into a DC pump. Less wattage, dead silent. Still running a dc9000 on the 30"...

 

[reefer roman]

I am running a Waveline DC10000 on my SV3-36 and it works real well

 

[Hitch08]

I got an email back from life reef and he had tons of praise for the mag18 on the svs3-30 and pretty much didn't answer my questions about the sp4 pump. I emailed back on sp4 again and he said he can't get them and didn't know much about them.

So if I went with the sp4 it'd cost a good bit more buying the pump separate without any bundle discount (like you get with the skimmer+mag18 deal)...

Oh, yes. I forgot about that. That's a bummer. I asked Jeff if he had them and he didn't. I got mine from Amazon.

If you want to try to the DC pump route, I believe that he carries the Jebao DC pumps.

 

[azjohnny]

IMO the best submersible pump is a Laguna based, I run a SP4 with my SVS3-36 and a Max Flo 1350 as my return pump which I rotate with a 2nd one every 6 months

When you add back pressure to a pump it will draw less wattage, running one as a skimmer pump does this. The SP4 which is rated at 88 watts is probably drawing around 60 watts

A high pressure pump ( more than 20 ft of head) is not needed with a life reef skimmer. RC member Bayoupr tried using a high pressure pump and had to decrease the flow down to less than 800 gph or the skimmer body got overwhelmed. It is documented earlier in this thread

 

[DavidinGA]

Oh, yes. I forgot about that. That's a bummer. I asked Jeff if he had them and he didn't. I got mine from Amazon.

If you want to try to the DC pump route, I believe that he carries the Jebao DC pumps.

I'm not confident enough in #1 the longevity of those pumps and #2 they seem to fluctuate in performance/flow throughout the day (or so I've heard) making the skimmer performance fluctuate

I'm definitely eyeing a mag18 or sp4 pump so far.

 

[Harry_Y]

I just finished Reading the whole thread.

A lot of good info here.

 

[DavidinGA]

I spoke with Jeff a bit via email and learned I can buy a SVS3-36 IN-SUMP model and have him reduce the height a bit where it would fit in my sump (I have exactly 36" of height from the bottom of my sump to the bottom of my tank inside my cabinet) to say 34" and that would leave 2" to remove the collection cup lid...is 2" enough height to remove the collection lid?



Given my sump setup there is no way I will be able to get the 30" model into the sump without removing the top flange portion (disassembling the skimmer as much as possible).

What are the height measurements of the svs3-30 and 36" models with the removable flange taken off (so the total height of everything below when the top section is removed via the nylon screws)?




Also, Looking at the 30" and 36" models on his sight he is selling them both with the mag18 pump. What are you thoughts on the mag18 pump on a 34" tall skimmer? It seems it might be a bit under-powered since most people find the mag18 only sufficient for the 30" model. Thoughts?


Thanks
:bounce2:

 

[Hitch08]

I have the 30". I'll measure this weekend and let you know what I find. My thought is that your only issue will be the depth of the neck that the skimmer cup fits into. I tend to think that you will be fine.

Re the Mag18, when I bought my skimmer earlier this year, the Mag12 was the recommended pump for the 30" skimmer. I actually upgraded to the Mag18. It was right about the time that I bought mine that he changed his site to include the Mag18.

 

[azjohnny]

I spoke with Jeff a bit via email and learned I can buy a SVS3-36 IN-SUMP model and have him reduce the height a bit where it would fit in my sump (I have exactly 36" of height from the bottom of my sump to the bottom of my tank inside my cabinet) to say 34" and that would leave 2" to remove the collection cup lid...is 2" enough height to remove the collection lid?



Given my sump setup there is no way I will be able to get the 30" model into the sump without removing the top flange portion (disassembling the skimmer as much as possible).

What are the height measurements of the svs3-30 and 36" models with the removable flange taken off (so the total height of everything below when the top section is removed via the nylon screws)?




Also, Looking at the 30" and 36" models on his sight he is selling them both with the mag18 pump. What are you thoughts on the mag18 pump on a 34" tall skimmer? It seems it might be a bit under-powered since most people find the mag18 only sufficient for the 30" model. Thoughts?


Thanks
:bounce2:

With a 36" stand you would be better going with the 30" model. I have the 3-36 with a 42" stand and can just barely get the cup off of the skimmer.

How can you can fit a 36" skimmer in your sump but not a 30"?

Height of my SV3-36 is 28" at the flange.

I have a SP4 powering my skimmer and it has plenty of power which also has a Mazzei 1078 injector

Jeff used to sell the SV3-30 with a Mag 12. RC member d2mini has one and he is happy with the results

 

[DavidinGA]

With a 36" stand you would be better going with the 30" model. I have the 3-36 with a 42" stand and can just barely get the cup off of the skimmer.

How can you can fit a 36" skimmer in your sump but not a 30"?

Height of my SV3-36 is 28" at the flange.

I have a SP4 powering my skimmer and it has plenty of power which also has a Mazzei 1078 injector

Jeff used to sell the SV3-30 with a Mag 12. RC member d2mini has one and he is happy with the results

No, I was saying there is no way I could even fit a 30" tall model in my sump *if* it weren't for the fact that it comes apart at the flange.

I'm considering a 30" and custom 34" model (36" model cut down to 34")



So you have 42" of clearance with a 36" tall model and need all 6" of clearance to get the lid off???

 

[azjohnny]

No, I was saying there is no way I could even fit a 30" tall model in my sump *if* it weren't for the fact that it comes apart at the flange.

I'm considering a 30" and custom 34" model (36" model cut down to 34")



So you have 42" of clearance with a 36" tall model and need all 6" of clearance to get the lid off???

That makes sense

The way my stand is set up I have 2.5" from the top of the skimmer cup cap to the bottom of the stand. I have to remove the cap in order to remove the cup

The cap has a raised center piece that acts as a handle for removal. After I bought mine and installed the skimmer in my sump i was wondering if I made the right decision and should have gone with the 30" model

 

[DavidinGA]

That makes sense

The way my stand is set up I have 2.5" from the top of the skimmer cup cap to the bottom of the stand. I have to remove the cap in order to remove the cup

The cap has a raised center piece that acts as a handle for removal. After I bought mine and installed the skimmer in my sump i was wondering if I made the right decision and should have gone with the 30" model

How many inches would you say you need minimum to remove the collection cup lid?

 

[azjohnny]

How many inches would you say you need minimum to remove the collection cup lid?

probably 1/2"-3/4" .

The bigger issue is the neck is a 2 part. You have a tube that comes up from the flange and the cup has a smaller diameter tube at the bottom, when you put the cup on the skimmer the smaller tube slides in the larger one with an o ring to make a seal. It takes about 2" to get the inner tube to clear the larger one when removing the cup

 

[Lucifa68]

Nope. I'm running one on a 24" with a 4" extension. Works very well.

hi shaggss, what size hose are you using from pump to skimmer venturi???? i just recently got an sp4, was running mag 12 with a 3/4" hose. was wondering if i moved up to 1" hose if it would make any difference???

thanks

 

[DavidinGA]

probably 1/2"-3/4" .

The bigger issue is the neck is a 2 part. You have a tube that comes up from the flange and the cup has a smaller diameter tube at the bottom, when you put the cup on the skimmer the smaller tube slides in the larger one with an o ring to make a seal. It takes about 2" to get the inner tube to clear the larger one when removing the cup

Oh geeze. So a 34" model most likely wouldn't work with my total of 36" height.

Do you have a close up of those pieces?

Probably this piece, right? http://www.lifereef.com/lg_neck_text.jpg How far dose that tube extend up above the flange?

 

[azjohnny]

Oh geeze. So a 34" model most likely wouldn't work with my total of 36" height.

Do you have a close up of those pieces?

Probably this piece, right? http://www.lifereef.com/lg_neck_text.jpg How far dose that tube extend up above the flange?

I am not at home now, when I get home tomorrow I can take a few pics for you, but for a 36" stand I would go with the 30" model if used in sump

 

[shaggss]

hi shaggss, what size hose are you using from pump to skimmer venturi???? i just recently got an sp4, was running mag 12 with a 3/4" hose. was wondering if i moved up to 1" hose if it would make any difference???

thanks

Hi Lucifa

Yes it is 1" which was how the skimmer was sent to me by Jeff so I just used the same.

 

[azjohnny]

Tube from flange is 3'
Tube from cup is 1.25"