The Life Reef Skimmer Club

I do not run a dc pump.

I am not sure what's up, I have a nodded life reef so there could be something else behind it. I think you guys don't notice it because you're after level is underneath the 3 inch neck so a slight change in water you will not notice because of the volume spread out in the 6 inch neck. My water level sits in the skims 181 body where it is 3 inches. So any small fluctuation would be noticed twice as much by me. Also I will be keeping an eye on the venturi when I notice the problem, since I haven't looked inside yet.

For thoes that haven't seen my setup, if the skimz part was confusing I am running a 4' life reef with a skimz 181 body on top and the collection cup on top of that. Running it recirculating with a mag 7 supply and a iwaki 55rlt recirculation pump.
 
Is your venturi silent with that pump? Do you think it would be a good fit for the 30" model?

Eric

My venturi is completely silent, I have an extra 978 Mazzei injector I could sell you, its the one I got from Jeff. I have since upgraded to a larger venturi on my VS3-36
 
Eric

My venturi is completely silent, I have an extra 978 Mazzei injector I could sell you, its the one I got from Jeff. I have since upgraded to a larger venturi on my VS3-36

Good to hear!

vanillagorila and I were texting earlier and sounds like has a Laguna 1350 and jporter has a mag12. I'm going to borrow both for a few days to see how they perform and compare to what I have now.

I'll very likely buy that 978 Mazzei from you as Jeff commented that might be the next best thing if the other pumps don't cut it.

Also, for what it's worth to anyone reading this and/or who comes across this in the future, Waveline (RLSS) emailed me saying that they've never done flow testing on any other setting except their highest setting on the DC12000. After some emails with them, they're in the process of flow testing at each setting and are going to get back to me. That should help others decide on whether this is a good fit and what settings might work.
 
Good to hear!Also, for what it's worth to anyone reading this and/or who comes across this in the future, Waveline (RLSS) emailed me saying that they've never done flow testing on any other setting except their highest setting on the DC12000. After some emails with them, they're in the process of flow testing at each setting and are going to get back to me. That should help others decide on whether this is a good fit and what settings might work.

Looking forward to hearing about their follow up with you. Was thinking about the waveline 10k or jebao 9k for a 30" lifereef...
 
Good to hear!

vanillagorila and I were texting earlier and sounds like has a Laguna 1350 and jporter has a mag12. I'm going to borrow both for a few days to see how they perform and compare to what I have now.

I'll very likely buy that 978 Mazzei from you as Jeff commented that might be the next best thing if the other pumps don't cut it.

Also, for what it's worth to anyone reading this and/or who comes across this in the future, Waveline (RLSS) emailed me saying that they've never done flow testing on any other setting except their highest setting on the DC12000. After some emails with them, they're in the process of flow testing at each setting and are going to get back to me. That should help others decide on whether this is a good fit and what settings might work.

I would use the Laguna 1350, the Mag 12 will only get the 1200 gph if you are using 1.5" piping. D2mini has gotten good results using the same skimmer and venturi you have.


I wonder if using the LF skimmer in addition to the ATB is making a difference
 
Here is a pic
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I wonder if using the LF skimmer in addition to the ATB is making a difference

I thought that too so I turned it off a few days ago. Didn't make a difference. It's still off and the LF is still running with the waveline at full bore. Loud but at least it seems to working at the highest setting.
 
just picked up a 6" extension and the big collection cup for my svs-30. it was under my stand but im moving it to the outside of the stand and no longer restricted by height. i wish i would have done this from the beginning and bought the 48"er. anyway, its going to be raised off the floor and im looking for pump suggestions. mag18 is what jeff recommended but if anyone has a better option. im not going to spend 300$ for a pump. im not against the mag18. its cheap enough and good enough. im also looking to getting a 987 or 1087. thoughts?
 
I have a Mazzei 1078 and a Fluval Seas SP4 ( 1800 gph) with my VS3-36 and happy with the results

If you can use an external pump, you might want to try a pressure pump with a lower GPH rating. Bayoupr tried a Blueline 40HD ( 21 ft of head and 790 gph) and really liked the results. It seems like pressure might have a larger effect than water flow on the injector
 
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is the fluval worth the extra 50$ over the danner? i thought (maybe incorrectly) external pumps where noisy. my tank and sump are set up in the living room. i dont mind noise but the wife may not like it.
 
Question: I have been looking at this skimmer and am curious as to what model I should get.

I have a 66 x 30 x 20 tank and a 48 x 22 x 18 sump, total volume of about 180gal. Heavy bioload and mixed reef. Current skimmer is an Aquamaxx ConeS CO3
What LR skimmer should I get? Preferably, I want an in sump model.
 
is the fluval worth the extra 50$ over the danner? i thought (maybe incorrectly) external pumps where noisy. my tank and sump are set up in the living room. i dont mind noise but the wife may not like it.

In that case you might want to go with a submersible pump. My SP4 is completely silent. I don't know how noisey the Blueline 40HD is, you could PM Bayoupr and ask

When I first set up my 180 I got a great deal on an Iwaki 100RLT, even though it was way more pump than I needed ( 2000 gph and 39 ft of head) I couldn't believe how noisey it was like a cross between a vacuum cleaner and a dishwasher. It didn't last long, replaced it with a Sicce 5 which has been replaced with a Laguna Max Flo 1350 which I am very happy with
 
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