The Life Reef Skimmer Club

[Piper27]

Here is my old reef octopus 8" after I think it was 3 days of skim.

Here is the life reefs skim of 3 days poured into the reef octopus collection cup for comparison.

 

[Piper27]

Here is what it looked like in the life reef.

If I did post this earlier sorry. Here is the skimmer.

Recirculating setup, mag 7 supply, iwaki 55rlt recirculation pump, and a skimz 181 body mod to help the bubbles transfer from the 6" to the 3" neck. LOVE IT!!!!

 

[ksed]

Nice!
Which model of R/O did you have.

 

[clorox]

My gate is pretty easy to open and close. Its about a year old.

Same, gate is two years old. Is not the best or smoothest but have 0 issues adjusting it.

You are also adjusting it with the skimmer empty and light. Once it's in the sump and had water going through it won't move when you make adjustments.. and keep in mind, adjustments are very very small... 1/16 of a turn. You aren't cranking the valve...

Maybe it is just this particular gate valve on my unit that is very stiff, I am sure once it breaks in it would perhaps be smoother. I guess I'm impatient and expect butter smooth operation

Yeah, I thought about that once the skimmer body was filled with water, it's going to be much heavier, however, despite the stock valve does its job and is adequate, one can't deny that it is not on the same quality level as the skimmer.

+1 on the gate valve. I have the schedule 80 gate valve. I can adjust it a hair if I need to by just touching the wheel lightly with a finger.

That's exactly why I decided to switch it out for a higher quality brand.

 

[Piper27]

I had the 8" with the older model 2000 pump.

 

[azjohnny]

and keep in mind, adjustments are very very small... 1/16 of a turn. You aren't cranking the valve...

That's the reason I went with a Spears gate valve, I would try to make an adjustment and in order to get the valve to move I would move the valve too far and after fighting with it I just ordered the Spears

 

[EvMiBo]

I haven't installed the lifereef yet in my sump because I was waiting for the new pump which arrived yesterday. It's the new Reef Octopus RODC 5500. From what I observed it's built like a tank. I'm very impressed with the build quality and materials, I can't wait to fire it up in a couple days. I think it might be oversized for the 24" SVS3 (rated at around 1600gph), but I plan on using it at slower setting to maximize quietness as the tank is in my living room.

I've seen a couple people using dc pumps on these (it's what I plan on running once I get my 30" body). There's actually a video on lifereefs website of a guy using the jebao dc6000 on the 24" body. He's running it at 90% iirc, which is about 1425gph. The octopus 5500 should be a good fit. Please update us with pics and your opinion on performance, etc. :thumbsup:

 

[clorox]

I've seen a couple people using dc pumps on these (it's what I plan on running once I get my 30" body). There's actually a video on lifereefs website of a guy using the jebao dc6000 on the 24" body. He's running it at 90% iirc, which is about 1425gph. The octopus 5500 should be a good fit. Please update us with pics and your opinion on performance, etc. :thumbsup:

Will do, today I should receive the gate valve then I'll tighten everything up and take some pics. I saw the dc jebao at a lfs, the RO 5500 is from a construction standpoint in a different class, something you should expect given it's twice the price.

 

[ken6217]

The interesting thing is that when you look at the Lifereef website, every skimmer is pictured with a schedule 80 gate valve. However he doesn't ship the skimmers with them. The schedule 80 gate valves are smooth as butter. The white ones that come with the skimmer are the complete opposite of smooth. Much more difficult to make micro adjustments.

 

[Grantb76]

Joined the club!

Joined the club!

Hey guys, just got my VS3-30 setup with a Water blaster HY-5000.

Started a freshwater with vinegar run and noticed a strange thing... the skimmer started skimming. Added a little skimmer juice from my current running skimmer and it's going nuts..

I didn't think skimmers would pull gunk out of freshwater so I can just imagine how well this skimmer will work once I get it on the tank.

Grant

 

[bglegs]

That's the reason I went with a Spears gate valve, I would try to make an adjustment and in order to get the valve to move I would move the valve too far and after fighting with it I just ordered the Spears

I also have the same problem,the valve is too stiff, it's hard to make small adjustments.

 

[Grantb76]

Valve

Valve

I agree just got my skimmer and already order a Spears Sch80

 

[trivan]

I agree just got my skimmer and already order a Spears Sch80

I just ordered my skimmer, what size gate valve is needed? Threaded or slip?

 

[rEeFnWrX]

Threaded for sure, believe it's 1" someone else can verify

 

[ken6217]

Hey guys, just got my VS3-30 setup with a Water blaster HY-5000.

Started a freshwater with vinegar run and noticed a strange thing... the skimmer started skimming. Added a little skimmer juice from my current running skimmer and it's going nuts..

I didn't think skimmers would pull gunk out of freshwater so I can just imagine how well this skimmer will work once I get it on the tank.

Grant

I guess it pays to have a dirty tank.

 

[Yogre]

Threaded for sure, believe it's 1" someone else can verify

My SVS3-30 is 1", threaded.

 

[Grantb76]

Valve

Valve

Yes I just confirmed on mine.. 1" threaded gate valve

 

[ken6217]

They're all 1"

 

[razataz5]

need everyone's honest opinion on the 24 model. I will have this on a 125 gallon tank now but plan on a 180 in the near future will the 24 handle the 180

 

[ken6217]

I would go with the 30". I have it on my 93g and it is not too big for that tank. The OP has it on his tank and it is 180 or 200.