The Life Reef Skimmer Club
- Thread starter d2mini
- Start date
EvMiBo
VictoriaConcordiaCrescit
Would love to see some pictures. It's good for club threads! Plus, the 72 is a beast.
hobbzz
How do I change this?
I lowered the "T" on the input about six inches inside the body. Now there is no room for adjustment between no production and overflowing the cup. If I move the gate valve literally less than one millimeter, the water level changes from 3/4" below the flange to above the flange and starts overflowing into the cup. Does this sound normal considering I lowered the input?
Do you have any pictures to illustrate?
hobbzz
How do I change this?
This "T" used to be about 7-8 inches higher, above the 90 on the output in the picture. I took the input out, and installed the T on a longer piece of pipe to increase contact time. Originally the T was about in the middle of the skimmer and there was a lot of wasted space that the bubbles didn't occupy at all.
Is it possible that the lower flow (790gph) pump isn't creating enough bubbles to make a stable enough foam head with a lot of room for adjustment, when the input is moved that much lower in the chamber?
Is it possible that the lower flow (790gph) pump isn't creating enough bubbles to make a stable enough foam head with a lot of room for adjustment, when the input is moved that much lower in the chamber?
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Idk. I'm not familiar with that skimmer design. I know what you mean about the "unused" area at the bottom of the skimmer. That is generally done to keep micro bubbles from going back to the sump.
Since your skimmer is custom, I think the best thing to do is call Jeff and ask his opinion and see what he recommends.
Since your skimmer is custom, I think the best thing to do is call Jeff and ask his opinion and see what he recommends.
hobbzz
How do I change this?
I raised the T back up to about 4 inches lower than the original position. Also talked to Jeff and unfortunately he couldn't help as it is an "experimental" skimmer. I basically have to tinker with it on my own and do 200+ gallon water changes to keep nutrients in check when the skimmer isn't performing. He also didn't make any recommendations on the pump, just basically said that more flow=more bubbles=more performance. And worst he confirmed my fears that the skimmer is probably too big. Said it could probably handle 1000 gallons, which is in line with similar sized skimmers.
This is my first venturi skimmer. Is there as big of a need to properly sizing venturi skimmers? With pinwheel skimmers, the bigger the capacity the bigger the neck, which is the big reason for proper sizing. A small bioload won't be able to make enough foam to fill the neck. I also see people using lifereefs rated for 600 gallon tanks on their 120g tanks just fine, which makes me think the smaller neck and increased contact time might aid in being able to use them on a larger range of sizes. Am I right in thinking that?
This is my first venturi skimmer. Is there as big of a need to properly sizing venturi skimmers? With pinwheel skimmers, the bigger the capacity the bigger the neck, which is the big reason for proper sizing. A small bioload won't be able to make enough foam to fill the neck. I also see people using lifereefs rated for 600 gallon tanks on their 120g tanks just fine, which makes me think the smaller neck and increased contact time might aid in being able to use them on a larger range of sizes. Am I right in thinking that?
Above in red- Seriously?
Not to sound crass, but you really should dump this skimmer and get one that is not a science project. This skimmer is more trouble than it is worth. If you want to stick with LR, then get one that is rated for your tank, with he recommended pump and call it a day.
You are correct with regards to pinwheel skimmers and larger necks (and bodies) for larger tanks.
For venturi skimmers, neck size is important as well. The principal is still the same. LR skimmers have a small diameter neck on all (or most?) models. It will help with a skimmer that is overrated for a given tank size.
With regard to claimed skimmer tank ratings, take it with a grain of salt. Most manufacturers seem to overstate.
hobbzz
How do I change this?
I realize that most companies over rate skimmers, but most of the venturi manufacturers are all rated similarly for like sized skimmers, so I figure it's more accurate than say an asm skimmer for example. I might have to get rid of this one as well if it doesn't perform in the next few weeks. Wife will not like that lol.
bayoupr
New member
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2399643&page=44
These pictures are 1.5 days of skim on a 120g tank. The skimmer works and it worked well with the 100PX pump. It worked well with the tee configuration and with the straight down pipe into the mixing tube.
These pictures are 1.5 days of skim on a 120g tank. The skimmer works and it worked well with the 100PX pump. It worked well with the tee configuration and with the straight down pipe into the mixing tube.
hobbzz
How do I change this?
That makes me feel a lot better. I never saw those pics, just the ones on page 41. Thanks Bayoupr.
To anyone else, I never meant to insinuate that the skimmer wouldn't work, just that I will have to do some playing around with different configurations to see what works best. Just a little more than adjusting any new skimmer. I'm definitely getting a new pump, considering every other venturi skimmer on the market this size is sold with a much larger one.
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.
That's exactly why I decided to switch it out for a higher quality brand.
I had the same issue with the gate valve and switched to spears
What a difference and I believe that the skimmer is better tuned with such a precise gate valve.
The gate valve that comes with the skimmer is not good. Very difficult to turn to fine tune.
The gate valves that LR shows with the skimmers on the website are schedule 80 and he does not ship the skimmers with those. Those gate valves are much better.
They should either include those gate valves with the skimmer or change the photos to show the actual gate valve the skimmers are shipped with. It is deceptive.
The gate valves that LR shows with the skimmers on the website are schedule 80 and he does not ship the skimmers with those. Those gate valves are much better.
They should either include those gate valves with the skimmer or change the photos to show the actual gate valve the skimmers are shipped with. It is deceptive.
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azjohnny
Active member
+1. I also switched out the included gate valve for a Spears, to me it was worth the $35 for the frustration the original gate valve would have given me
hobbzz
How do I change this?
Haven't tested nitrates in a while, but this one hasn't produced much yet since it's breaking in. So essentially skimmerless on a 300g for a week. I haven't cut down feeding.
I've been running the water level about 1/2" to 1/8" below the flange. About 1/8" right now. This skimmer was used before, so it shouldn't take as long to break in since there are no manufacturing residues left. I'm not giving up, just trying to go with the configuration that's most likely to work and try that first.
I've been running the water level about 1/2" to 1/8" below the flange. About 1/8" right now. This skimmer was used before, so it shouldn't take as long to break in since there are no manufacturing residues left. I'm not giving up, just trying to go with the configuration that's most likely to work and try that first.
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