Dawsokj1988
New member
Would the 24" model be able to handle a 200 gallon with heavy bio-load? I see the recommended tank sizes on the site, but I'm unsure if it's like other skimmer models that always exaggerate maximum sizes for tanks.
The Life Reef Skimmer Club
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jason2459
Well-known member
Taller is always better with these skimmers. But Another member on here is rocking a 24" on his 180. I wasn't to keen on the 24" models before that and seeing how his performed was rather impressive. Just get a bigger pump then the recommended mag 9.5 or 12.
Orcus Varuna
New member
After settling in for the first month my 24" now pulls black tar with a mag 12 on my 50 gallon cube.
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jason2459
Well-known member
That's awesome. I was against them and was wrong after seeing some 24" skimmers in action. I would be really curious if you put a mag18, SP4, or a DC6000 on there what your experience would be like compared to the mag12. So far, I have just seen better and better performance the bigger and bigger pump I get. I keep thinking I'm going to far but haven't hit that limit yet. lol
FullBoreReefer
New member
I run the 30" with a dct-12000 at 100%, haven't noticed much of a difference from the dct-8000. I still get a light tea colored skimmate. Although, I only have 13 small fish on a 120gal total system.
Orcus Varuna
New member
There is nothing light tea about what kind of skimmate I'm getting, literally pulling tar lol
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jason2459
Well-known member
Bioload could make a difference. Also, I see my skimmer as a means of aeration. You could lower the water level and not skim as wet if you wanted.
FullBoreReefer
New member
True, but even after a week I barely fill the cup half way, and yet it's still a light brown'ish water. I bought this skimmer with the future in mind.
Orcus Varuna
New member
I am quite over stocked with 10 fish and an anemone the size of a dinner plate in a 50 gallon tank so that could play a factor.
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Thinking of purchasing a skimmer from Lifereef
Thinking of purchasing a skimmer from Lifereef
This thread has been helpful, just thought I would ask what others think before I make a purchase. I have a 300 display with a 40 gallon fish stocked frag tank and about another 100 gallons in sump. I was thinking of a 30" in sump but after reading what other have am thinking of a 36" or 48" externally plumbed skimmer. Looking for a sanity check. Will a 30" in sump do the job or would I be happier long term with a 36"? Would a 48" be overkill?
Thinking of purchasing a skimmer from Lifereef
This thread has been helpful, just thought I would ask what others think before I make a purchase. I have a 300 display with a 40 gallon fish stocked frag tank and about another 100 gallons in sump. I was thinking of a 30" in sump but after reading what other have am thinking of a 36" or 48" externally plumbed skimmer. Looking for a sanity check. Will a 30" in sump do the job or would I be happier long term with a 36"? Would a 48" be overkill?
Orcus Varuna
New member
Talk to Jeff he'll steer you right. Heck I talked him into having me spend more money haha. But man with 500 ish gallons I'd go for broke and get 4'+ external skimmer driven by an external pressure rated pump. You honestly can't buy a hobby level skimmer that's too large on a stocked system that size.
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So following up on the change I made from running the syncra silent 3 on my lifereef to the Mag18. Well....it worked. Way more bubbles and skimming pretty good. Don't forget I'm running the upgraded mazzi injector too. Im running this on a reefer 250 with a few corals and 3 fish so the skim is pretty light colored. But at least it is consistent and working better.. Now my only problem...I hate the noise....it's way too loud. I have a feeling it's the mag18 and not the skimmer itself.
ugh....
ugh....
I'm debating getting a Lifereef for a near future build. My concern is also the noise. I've read that the skimmer itself generates significant noise, so they are loud even with a quiet pump. Others say their Lifereef skimmers are near silent.
It's a bit confusing to me.
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Orcus Varuna
New member
With a mag 12 on mine and an open sump I would say it's as loud as my central air. In other words it's quiet enough for me to sleep and it's in my bedroom
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Orcus Varuna
New member
I would neither of those. If my sump wasn't utilizing every inch of space forcing me to run the mag drive I would be running a jebao 8000
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