The Life Reef Skimmer Club

I have a mag12 that sits in sump, and connected to a vsv3-36 sitting externally. This skimmer is boss. Once they finally dial in the new DC pumps, I'll wait, I'm gonna get a 12" extension tube from Jeff and run it around 2k GPH, and ask for a recirculating mod on the extension. Has the Mazzei Venturi on it now..

I'd recommend a lifereef skimmer to anyone. Look at Dennis page and how little his break the bank skimmer wasn't worth a damn. Went with lifereef and hmmm, nog within 12 hours. Mine also broke in around the 18 hour mark.

And as far as fresh air draw, can I put a threaded John guest fitting in the hole in the lid, for 1/4" line after slight drilling and tapping, and run that line outside? While keeping Venturi line connected to cap and Venturi for fresh air intake?
 
Last edited:
JarahFroski said:
I have a mag12 that sits in sump, and connected to a vsv3-36 sitting externally. This skimmer is boss. Once they finally dial in the new DC pumps, I'll wait, I'm gonna get a 12" extension tube from Jeff and run it around 2k GPH, and ask for a recirculating mod on the extension. Has the Mazzei Venturi on it now..

I'd recommend a lifereef skimmer to anyone. Look at Dennis page and how little his break the bank skimmer wasn't worth a damn. Went with lifereef and hmmm, nog within 12 hours. Mine also broke in around the 18 hour mark.

And as far as fresh air draw, can I put a threaded John guest fitting in the hole in the lid, for 1/4" line after slight drilling and tapping, and run that line outside? While keeping Venturi line connected to cap and Venturi for fresh air intake?
Click to expand...


You have a hole in your lid?
 
JarahFroski said:
I have a mag12 that sits in sump, and connected to a vsv3-36 sitting externally. This skimmer is boss. Once they finally dial in the new DC pumps, I'll wait, I'm gonna get a 12" extension tube from Jeff and run it around 2k GPH, and ask for a recirculating mod on the extension. Has the Mazzei Venturi on it now..

I'd recommend a lifereef skimmer to anyone. Look at Dennis page and how little his break the bank skimmer wasn't worth a damn. Went with lifereef and hmmm, nog within 12 hours. Mine also broke in around the 18 hour mark.

And as far as fresh air draw, can I put a threaded John guest fitting in the hole in the lid, for 1/4" line after slight drilling and tapping, and run that line outside? While keeping Venturi line connected to cap and Venturi for fresh air intake?
Click to expand...

There is no suction through that hole. If you want fresh air draw you will need to plumb it directly to your venturi air line
 
OK, So I didnt switch out pumps since the outgoing on the dc is 1" and the mag is 3/4 it would be to much of a pain in the *** to switch out.
Click to expand...

My Laguna has the same, I used a 3/4" to 1" threaded/ slip fitting to connect to PVC pipe
 
It's been 4 days since I started up the 30" LR in sump... Tbh I'm not overly impressed with the dc9000. My water line is about 5/8 the way up the collection cup neck. Now that it's there (started lower) it seems to be producing decent amount of skimmate, but I thought it was interesting that most people seem to have the water line closer to the flange.
 
Jason Lester said:
Do you think this would affect performance without the hole? I suppose Jeff could have forgot to drill it...
Click to expand...

To be honest I'm not sure. I would contact Jeff about it. If I had to guess I would think that it really doesn't matter. There may be a very small amount of suction from the small hole in my lid, but I would think it's negligible.
 
Mine has a hole drilled in the cup. I like the idea of having a bit of ventilation just for oxygenation and PH purposes. Not sure it makes a difference but I do like the idea of it.
 
rEeFnWrX said:
I believe this hole is for equalizing the chamber air when the pump starts and stops. It should not affect skimming performance.

But ask Jeff to confirm
Click to expand...

Fwiw I added another hole and enlarged them both.Ive had the original plug up several times and if the lid gets "sealed" to the cup my 72 will pop that lid off and spray guck up the wall and ceiling. As a fun experiment, take the lid off and put your thumb over the air intake hole in the side of the cup. WHOA!!!:eek1:
 
Hey everyone, I contacted Jeff about it and he said he has a CNC router that runs the program of cutting his lids and punching the hole and such so there is no way the hole isn't there. Sure enough I found a plastic hanging chad[emoji24][emoji24][emoji24]and poked it out! Now I have a hole!
 
Well, after a week of skimming on my 30" with dc9000 6/6 I'm not overly impressed. I'm no expert but feel like there's not enough air being put into the body. My waterline needs to be 1/2 - 5/8 up the neck to get decent skim.

Do you think I could get what I'm looking for with a dc12000? Or would I be pushing it for flow rates?
 
EvMiBo said:
Well, after a week of skimming on my 30" with dc9000 6/6 I'm not overly impressed. I'm no expert but feel like there's not enough air being put into the body. My waterline needs to be 1/2 - 5/8 up the neck to get decent skim.

Do you think I could get what I'm looking for with a dc12000? Or would I be pushing it for flow rates?
Click to expand...

Whats your bioload? If you don't have the organics the skimmer won't produce skim mate

What injector are you using?

I did notice when I removed the sand from my system I got more skim mate. What do you have for water circulation in the DT?
 
The Life Reef Skimmer Club

azjohnny said:
Whats your bioload? If you don't have the organics the skimmer won't produce skim mate

What injector are you using?

I did notice when I removed the sand from my system I got more skim mate. What do you have for water circulation in the DT?
Click to expand...

My bioload is a little on the light side tbh. Only 7 fish currently and a handful of small frags. Feeding 3-4 times a day (all consumed within 1 minute). Circulation is two return lines and a Maxspect gyre 50w running at 40% pulse towards the overflow. Also running a felt filtersock (100-200 micron can't remember) changed every 4-5 days.

Also, I have the stock venturi.
 
EvMiBo said:
Do you think I could get what I'm looking for with a dc12000? Or would I be pushing it for flow rates?
Click to expand...

Measure the output with your current pump. Use the output to fill up a 1 gallon jug and do the math, see what you come up with.
 
The DC 9000 pump puts out 2400 gph at full power, that's more than enough. I have heard reefers using the DC pumps on skimmers report that they do not run at a consistent speed, the controller changes the speed according to power draw to maximize efficiency.

Do you have an AC pump to try for comparison?

I run my VS3-36 so that the bottom of the foam head is a about 1/2" below the flange.

You might have a good amount of detritus settling in the substrate, unless it is a DSB try stirring up the sandbed to get the detritus to the over flow

Do you have a pic of the skimmer while in operation?
 
azjohnny said:
The DC 9000 pump puts out 2400 gph at full power, that's more than enough. I have heard reefers using the DC pumps on skimmers report that they do not run at a consistent speed, the controller changes the speed according to power draw to maximize efficiency.

Do you have an AC pump to try for comparison?

I run my VS3-36 so that the bottom of the foam head is a about 1/2" below the flange.

You might have a good amount of detritus settling in the substrate, unless it is a DSB try stirring up the sandbed to get the detritus to the over flow

Do you have a pic of the skimmer while in operation?
Click to expand...

I was thinking that too, that I shouldn't need more than 2400gph. The dc pump must be controlling it down huh? (Like hobbzz and someone else metioned).

Do you think trying a dc12000 dialed down could work?

I do not have an AC pump to try for comparison. I may consider the mag18 but the power usage and excess heat is always a concern for me, and the maxflow2000's footprint is too big for this setup. If I was going to try AC pump it would probably be am external panworld or japanese motor iwaki... Which would require me to drain sump, drill, etc.

My water seems pretty clear to me. That being said I did install a gyre pump about a week ago, stirred up the tank a little but nothing crazy imo. I also run filter socks so I think most of the detritus would be caught there.

Ultimately for having the waterline so far up the neck I think I should be getting more skim. In the regular neck it's 1/8-1/4" a day. I would think it should be closer to 1/2"-1" a day.

Pictures from 30 mins ago... The waterline is behind the skimpoop.
 

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