The Life Reef Skimmer Club

[jason2459]

What does taking the spring and ball out do?

Allows less restricted air flow. The ball is pushed forward by the spring to be like a one way valve. It gives some resistance the air has to over come. I could add mine back in if i can find it and see if it registers much.

The other thing is that spring could rust or collect more "stuff" that needs cleaned out sooner.

 

[Reel North]

I have the 36" external skimmer with the mazzei Venturi.

What DC pump would you guys suggest. Currently I'm running a panworld 100X-X. I need to cut some amps out of my system.

I have a wave line 10000 as a return, and I am pretty happy with that for noise and amps.

Thoughts?

 

[jason2459]

I'm trying out a waveline dc 12000 on my mtc mvx 36" mazzei venturi and its doing an impressive job. Its not listed as a pressure rated pump but it's rated head hight and flow rate is up there. The 3/4" venturi barely put a dent on its wattage used.

 

[Reel North]

Is is whiny, or quiet? What speed do you have it on?

 

[jason2459]

Is is whiny, or quiet? What speed do you have it on?

9 you can start hearing it. 10 and 11 is definitely whiny but bearable at least to me. But it is in my basement.


I'm working through testing various levels and intectors. So far level 9 with stock 684 venturi seems optimal. But Life Reefs come with 1" venturis so may be different.

 

[Reel North]

I may just take the plunge after my Vectra gets replaced

 

[jason2459]

Fwiw, I have the waveline back on level 9 tonight. Its not as loud as I remember it. Plenty of other noises going on in the sump are washing it out. Could be quieter now it's broken in.

 

[Pablos RSM 450]

I have the 36" external skimmer with the mazzei Venturi.

What DC pump would you guys suggest. Currently I'm running a panworld 100X-X. I need to cut some amps out of my system.

I have a wave line 10000 as a return, and I am pretty happy with that for noise and amps.

Thoughts?

You can use the waveline 10000 or the jecod DCT 10000. I am currently running the jecod DCT 6000 at 80% on my 24" with the mazzei and it is flawless. You would save $$ if u get the jecod.

 

[dustinc]

I have the 24" version with the Waveline 4000 (about 1000gph) and it works great. Much quieter than the Mag 12 I was running simply because there isn't near as much turbulence and air going through the system. I'm running it at its max setting.

 

[jason2459]

You can use the waveline 10000 or the jecod DCT 10000. I am currently running the jecod DCT 6000 at 80% on my 24" with the mazzei and it is flawless. You would save $$ if u get the jecod.

Benefit of the Waceline is they have modified the volute and prop to handle a higher head height.

 

[Reel North]

I read that the ipeller can handle must higher pressure situations on the G2.

I have the 10000 running on my DT, and it was noisy-ish for under a day. Now - dead quiet. It's awesome.

 

[jason2459]

I read that the ipeller can handle must higher pressure situations on the G2.

I have the 10000 running on my DT, and it was noisy-ish for under a day. Now - dead quiet. It's awesome.

The apex ready ones have the higher rates. Most aren't labeled as gen II. But all that are listed as apex ready are. And you can get the apex ready upgrade kit for the older models. It comes with the new apex ready controller AND a new propeller.

 

[whyamisofly]

Are you guys running the suggested Mag 9.5 on your SVS2-24's, or a larger pump?

I have a 60g + 20g sump, but will be running with a high bioload (lionfish).

Also, is it worth buying the Mazzei Venturi? If so, would you purchase through Jeff or source it on your own?

 

[Reel North]

buy the mazzei. I have the one from jeff and have no complaints at all.

 

[jason2459]

I would definitely go bigger then the mag 9.5. Mag 12 minimum.

 

[Mr. Comer]

Are you guys running the suggested Mag 9.5 on your SVS2-24's, or a larger pump?

I have a 60g + 20g sump, but will be running with a high bioload (lionfish).

Also, is it worth buying the Mazzei Venturi? If so, would you purchase through Jeff or source it on your own?

If I remember right Jeff said you will not see much of an improvement with the mazzei venture on a 24". I would definitely upgrade to a dc pump. You can adjust gph based on the amount of skimming you need. I had a large bioload on my 90 system and was running at 80%. I sold all of my big fish (long story) and ended up turning the pump down to 20% and it skimmed more reliably.

 

[skinsncanes]

Does anyone here know if there's anyone interested in a life reef wet dry? I've been using mine for I think around 18 months but unfortunately I bought three ecotech vectra L1 pumps and they get way too hot to be run externally and I can't really run them internally on this sumo. Just thought I'd put a feeler out here before posting an ad. I have the LF2-300 but I run it without the bio balls on a bare bottom tank. I actually don't get much skimmate from my 36 inch life reef skimmer, which I think is because I have two life reef ore filters that I rinse daily and I use the trays on the tower to every day or every other change a filter pad using cut over polyester from a craft store. Averages like 8 cents a day so it's a great way to filter.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Kharn]

I'm looking to purchase a LifeReef VS3-72 Big Boy with Mazzei for my unique system.

I'm building a large 700-800gal system but with a fairly 'extreme' feeding style to the system, so I wanted a bigger skimmer to rip the waste out fast.

However a lot of people laugh at me and say that this skimmer is a waste and how I should get something shorter, modern and with a Needle Wheel pump.

Anyone care to counter their arguments for me?

 

[jason2459]

Well, on a larger system that dwell time alone will produce so much more then a short and stout needle wheel skimmer with higher air draw.

Even my 36" mvx with a mazzei injector is producing well over double what any needlewheel skimmer I've tried.

On a large system you want a large body even if its a needle wheel skimmer.


Sorry I know its not a lifereef but it is similar. The lifereef skimmer you're looking at will be awesome. Here's from 1-3 cups per day needlewheel skkimmer to 6 cups per day with the mazzei venturi skimmer.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2519839

 

[Pablos RSM 450]

I'm looking to purchase a LifeReef VS3-72 Big Boy with Mazzei for my unique system.

I'm building a large 700-800gal system but with a fairly 'extreme' feeding style to the system, so I wanted a bigger skimmer to rip the waste out fast.

However a lot of people laugh at me and say that this skimmer is a waste and how I should get something shorter, modern and with a Needle Wheel pump.

Anyone care to counter their arguments for me?

Let them laugh. You will laugh back at them when their needle wheel goes out and there are no more replacement impellers, or pumps available when their skimmer gets outdated or breaks. On average needle wheel pumps go out after a couple of years. I have used multiple needle wheel skimmers and they have been good but since going to lifereef with a mazei I would not go back. You can use any pump you want within the recommended GPH flow. I have used MAG pumps and I am now very happy with my Jecod DCT 6000.