The Life Reef Skimmer Club

[homebrwr]

Nice setup guys. Was wondering have any of you had to replace the o ring on the cup? Mine finally cracked after ten years and they don't have one at my hardware store. Should I just order from Jeff?

I received an extra one with my purchase. I'd call Jeff if you can't find something locally.

 

[JasonD]

Ok thanks

 

[Deep Reef]

Yeah its under 5 dollars from jeff

 

[natas]

So I am almost ready to pull the trigger on a SVS3-30 IN-SUMP. I know Jeff recommends the Mag Drive 18 but I am trying to steer clear of anything that produces a ton of heat. Does anyone have another pump recommendation for this skimmer? I live in Texas so I try my best to get heat out of the tank. That Mag 18 is 150 Watts so I am expecting 2-3 degree difference in my tank. Anything I can do to drive that down would be awesome. I am open to DC pumps but rather have something a little more stable and proven

 

[bayoupr]

So I am almost ready to pull the trigger on a SVS3-30 IN-SUMP. I know Jeff recommends the Mag Drive 18 but I am trying to steer clear of anything that produces a ton of heat. Does anyone have another pump recommendation for this skimmer? I live in Texas so I try my best to get heat out of the tank. That Mag 18 is 150 Watts so I am expecting 2-3 degree difference in my tank. Anything I can do to drive that down would be awesome. I am open to DC pumps but rather have something a little more stable and proven

Fluval SP4. One of the deepwater BLDC pumps. I am running a Deepwater BLDC 8 on my manifold system but judging from the output it would handle my VS3-36 with no problem. I am running external pump on mine though.

 

[mlott132]

Fluval SP4. One of the deepwater BLDC pumps. I am running a Deepwater BLDC 8 on my manifold system but judging from the output it would handle my VS3-36 with no problem. I am running external pump on mine though.

Was thinking of getting a Deepwater pump for my VS3-24. I know that the pump threads are BPT. Where did you find a compatible fitting?

 

[EvMiBo]

So I am almost ready to pull the trigger on a SVS3-30 IN-SUMP. I know Jeff recommends the Mag Drive 18 but I am trying to steer clear of anything that produces a ton of heat. Does anyone have another pump recommendation for this skimmer? I live in Texas so I try my best to get heat out of the tank. That Mag 18 is 150 Watts so I am expecting 2-3 degree difference in my tank. Anything I can do to drive that down would be awesome. I am open to DC pumps but rather have something a little more stable and proven

Fluval sp4
Dc9000
New ecotech dc pump

 

[GatorAlum05]

after 46 hours guys. SVS30 with mazzei ventura and the fluval sp4. The output valve is 3/4 closed. This thing didn't take long to break in. =)

also, I'm not running biopellets. I have not tinker with this thing since 10pm tuesday night. Left it at the flange. not making this up. =)

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[bayoupr]

Was thinking of getting a Deepwater pump for my VS3-24. I know that the pump threads are BPT. Where did you find a compatible fitting?

I used a 1.25" union. Screwed on about 4 threads.

 

[natas]

Thanks for the reply guys. I am going to got with the sp4. Now I have to decide on adding mazzei or not. Time to research

 

[bayoupr]

Now I have to decide on adding mazzei or not. Time to research

I like the mazzei a lot better than Jeff's stock venturi. If you need research just look at GatorAlum05 last post with the cup full of foam, that's with a mazzei venturi. Gator, which one are you using, the 978 or 1078?

 

[natas]

Would the 30 be enough for a 260g sps dominated tank? I am having second thoughts now. I would get the 36 but that would be to tall. With my sump I measure right at 36 inches.

 

[EvMiBo]

Would the 30 be enough for a 260g sps dominated tank? I am having second thoughts now. I would get the 36 but that would be to tall. With my sump I measure right at 36 inches.

Personally, if it were me I'd have a 36" or 48" if I could make it happen.

 

[natas]

Yeah neither of those will work. Maybe time to rethink.

 

[Johnseye]

Fluval sp4
Dc9000
New ecotech dc pump

You could also go with an RD3 if you want to make it very nice.

 

[GatorAlum05]

Bayour. I believe mine is the 978.

Also I have an svs24 without the mazzei. I will take a picture. Hard for comparison since they both use different pumps but the foam head from what I recalled isn't as awesome as this one.

 

[GatorAlum05]

Got to thank all the new technology of pumps. It's definitely put Venturi driven skimmers back on the map. God forbid. I would never use a mag drive in my tank to get same output.

 

[bayoupr]

IMO, the mazzei venturi's make a big difference, although d2mini's looks great with the stock venturi.

 

[natas]

Would the 30 with mazzei be enough for 260g sps tank?

 

[GatorAlum05]

Would the 30 be enough for a 260g sps dominated tank? I am having second thoughts now. I would get the 36 but that would be to tall. With my sump I measure right at 36 inches.

get the 36in skimmer. Ask jeff to make a shorter cup. This is doable. I think a 30in is fine. Dennis is running a tank of about the same volume with a 30in. (Edit, he's running 350 gallon) =)

Don't fall into the bigger is better mentality. You will just be dumping gunk out more often than we will.

I'm running about 200 gallons of volume including my refugium and sump.