The Life Reef Skimmer Club

[ken6217]

Nothing yet...I just ordered the skimmer a couple ago and I probably won't get it until the end of May. I think Jeff has a 4-5 week lead time on these models. He is a one man show, and builds everything himself.

I am currently using my Alpha Vertex 300. Probably sell the 300 after I get the ReefLife VS3-60.

You might as well go with the MTC skimmer that I posted yesterday instead. It is the same price and the MTC has two mazzei venturis and is better made and better quality acrylic. I have both MTC and Lifereef in my house and so I can give an accurate opinion.
Ken

 

[kris101]

I just received my 30". I asked Jeff the same question. To me it definitely would cause some back pressure having the water exit underwater. Will it make any measurable difference? I don't know. Jeff said it wouldn't make any measurable difference.

My sump water level is 8" and I think the exit is 7" I'm going to raise the skimmer an inch only because I'm obsessive - compulsive.
I don't think it will make a difference either way though.
Ken

Ken
It won't make a difference. the water level in the skimmer is set via the return valve. back pressure or lack there of is already in play when you set the water level in the skimmer. So in other words, even if you were to raise the skimmer above the sump water level, you would have to close the valve to achieve the same level as if it were submerged Hopefully I explained that ok!

 

[Speed]

Ken
It won't make a difference. the water level in the skimmer is set via the return valve. back pressure or lack there of is already in play when you set the water level in the skimmer. So in other words, even if you were to raise the skimmer above the sump water level, you would have to close the valve to achieve the same level as if it were submerged Hopefully I explained that ok!

I'm following ya.
the amount you would have to close the gate valve to maintain the in skimmer water level and compensate for lack of back pressure would pretty much equal the back pressure you've already got having the exit submerged.
so in theory"¦.. you're gaining nothing (but noise)

 

[ken6217]

Ken
It won't make a difference. the water level in the skimmer is set via the return valve. back pressure or lack there of is already in play when you set the water level in the skimmer. So in other words, even if you were to raise the skimmer above the sump water level, you would have to close the valve to achieve the same level as if it were submerged Hopefully I explained that ok!

I got it. I figured as much. I would think that having the water return below the water level would slightly slow the water going back into the sump and therefore needing to open the gate valve more.
Ken

 

[ken6217]

Here is one more pic of the dual venturi skimmer to show the quality of skim mate. Nothing will collect in the cup though as it is draining into a bucket.

 

[kris101]

you're gaining nothing (but noise)

Exactly!

 

[ken6217]

Actually I am still going to still try it above the water level and have it terminate into a Tee with a pipe going under the water. The upper part of the tee is above water and this will prevent back pressure.

 

[d2mini]

Just like the Honey Badger... the Life Reef skimmer doesn't give a ****!

 

[clugo]

Ken let me know how it turns out.

 

[ken6217]

Just like the Honey Badger... the Life Reef skimmer doesn't give a ****!

But my psychiatrist does. :uhoh3:

 

[inetmug]

I just talked to the Life Reef man himself. I believe as soon as I have the cash I will get the 250 in-sump model. Very knowledgeable dude. I like simple, and this seems to be the ticket. I can not do the classified thing yet, but if anyone has a used 250 please let me know.

In the meantime, I will have to get this downdraft Predator working now that I have been corrected in my thinking on how to plumb the thing (thanks guys again).

 

[krzyphsygy]

subscribed

 

[inetmug]

MEaning I am in the Life Reef club, or can now see classifieds?

 

[ken6217]

I just talked to the Life Reef man himself. I believe as soon as I have the cash I will get the 250 in-sump model. Very knowledgeable dude. I like simple, and this seems to be the ticket. I can not do the classified thing yet, but if anyone has a used 250 please let me know.

In the meantime, I will have to get this downdraft Predator working now that I have been corrected in my thinking on how to plumb the thing (thanks guys again).

Which is the 250 model?

 

[bernie lyons]

mtc

mtc

Which is the 250 model?

Ken what is the height and diameter of the mtc dual venturi's collection cup neck ?

 

[ken6217]

Ken what is the height and diameter of the mtc dual venturi's collection cup neck ?

Hi Bernie, it is 4" OD and 3 1/2" ID since they use 1/2" acrylic tubing. I'm not home to measure the length but I would guess about 18". You can see from the picture where it starts. It really is a piece of art. I wanted to keep it in my living room near the fireplace but my wife thinks it looks out of place.

Their normal neck I think is 1/2" wider but I told Jeff and Leo to make it narrower due to the tank size/bioload I have.

I had their 4 venturi skimmer with a Iwaki 100RLT pump back in the mid 90's.

On Sunday I'm going up to see Jeff and I'll finalize my 30" recirculating skimmer him.
Ken

 

[bernie lyons]

mtc

mtc

Hi Bernie, it is 4" OD and 3 1/2" ID since they use 1/2" acrylic tubing.

Their normal neck I think is 1/2" wider but I told Jeff and Leo to make it narrower due to the tank size/bioload I have.

I had their 4 venturi skimmer with a Iwaki 100RLT pump back in the mid 90's.

On Sunday I'm going up to see Jeff and I'll finalize my 30" recirculating skimmer him.
Ken

Thanks Ken ...beautifully made products from those guys...Look forward to seeing your 30" MTC single venturi !

 

[inetmug]

Which is the 250 model?

SVS2-24 in-sump
22 1/2" tall



SVS2-24 in-sump
22 1/2" tall 250 gallons 600-1200 gph
submersible pump SMALL FOOTPRINT!
8 x 12
with pump

 

[Piper27]

So I hooked her up! I love this thing. I plumbed the recirculation off the bottom and the supply water enters in the middle of the chamber.
I used a mag 7 to supply water and the iwaki 55rlt to recirculating it. I have to say setting it up this way seems to run much better than the standard skimmer setup. I can't wait to do a collection cup comparison on day three. The old 8" reef octopus just wasn't skimming as well after I added the sps tank. It was always putting out tea colored skim and I have noticed with the mazzi injection, the skim is always dark and chunky.
Sad thing is all my equipment and tanks are in the main level of our townhouse, I am used to that now though.
Even though my skimmer is half life reef half skimz I feel like I should still be allowed in the club right? It was amazing at how little work it was to cut and glue that thing in there too, fit just right!

 

[ken6217]

So I hooked her up! I love this thing. I plumbed the recirculation off the bottom and the supply water enters in the middle of the chamber.
I used a mag 7 to supply water and the iwaki 55rlt to recirculating it. I have to say setting it up this way seems to run much better than the standard skimmer setup. I can't wait to do a collection cup comparison on day three. The old 8" reef octopus just wasn't skimming as well after I added the sps tank. It was always putting out tea colored skim and I have noticed with the mazzi injection, the skim is always dark and chunky.
Sad thing is all my equipment and tanks are in the main level of our townhouse, I am used to that now though.
Even though my skimmer is half life reef half skimz I feel like I should still be allowed in the club right? It was amazing at how little work it was to cut and glue that thing in there too, fit just right!

Well not exactly. This would have to be an offshoot of this club called, FrankenReef

Ken