The MAK 4 is rated 19.7 GPM (1182GPH) and 22.3 ' max head. That should be plenty right? My Dwyer gauge has the built in valve; currently not sucking air through the cup but just through the Dwyer directly. One of the reasons I stopped the MAK 4 is that I have a small drip and need to replace the discharge line. My air gauge is also not hooked up optimally in that I am using a smaller hose size like from 3/8 to 1/4. Next time I am at lowes, I may get the materials and give it another try and maybe choke back the air instead of the pump.
The Life Reef Skimmer Club
- Thread starter d2mini
- Start date
The MAK 4 is rated 19.7 GPM (1182GPH) and 22.3 ' max head. That should be plenty right? My Dwyer gauge has the built in valve; currently not sucking air through the cup but just through the Dwyer directly. One of the reasons I stopped the MAK 4 is that I have a small drip and need to replace the discharge line. My air gauge is also not hooked up optimally in that I am using a smaller hose size like from 3/8 to 1/4. Next time I am at lowes, I may get the materials and give it another try and maybe choke back the air instead of the pump.
bayoupr
New member
I was running the Panworld 100PX pump, 790gph, 21ft head pressure, the high head pressure was causing the high air draw. When I ran it with the Panworld 100PX-X, 1270gph, 13ft head pressure, the air draw was 16-18scfh. Seems the higher flow lower head pressure drew less air. Both pumps worked great but I found with the 100PX I was able to open the outlet gate valve more and got more flow through the skimmer.
Hey Folks,
Is there a way to run a tube from the skimmer to a window to sustain a higher ph?
I live in NYC and the place is small enough that whenever I use the oven, my ph drops to 7.6 area.
There have been times when my wife bakes or cooks for an extended time that it's gone to 7.53! The apt is wicked energy efficient, and of course it is cold out so I don't open the windows a lot (even in the summer it isn't necessary).
Anyway, regular skimmers have an obvious way to route a tube, but this skimmer has a tube connected to the skimmer cup.
What do I do?
Is there a way to run a tube from the skimmer to a window to sustain a higher ph?
I live in NYC and the place is small enough that whenever I use the oven, my ph drops to 7.6 area.
There have been times when my wife bakes or cooks for an extended time that it's gone to 7.53! The apt is wicked energy efficient, and of course it is cold out so I don't open the windows a lot (even in the summer it isn't necessary).
Anyway, regular skimmers have an obvious way to route a tube, but this skimmer has a tube connected to the skimmer cup.
What do I do?
shaggss
Active member
The hose connected to the cup is to keep the venturi from clogging with salt creep by using moist air from the cup.
My pH runs low too so I plan on putting a tee in this line and connecting it to my ATO and the other end to my soda lime. Could could simply run the other end to the outside.
Piper27
I love bengals
Nothing? I am sure its undersized. I hooked up my old ro skimmer with a new pump and extension and its skimming great again. I am wondering if the mag 7 is to small of a supply for this skimmer? This is the 3rd time asking for help. Jeff just stated facts I am aware of on each email attempt and had no actual advice other than "it should work fine, I have never had a complaint.".
I am not complaining just trying to figure out if I have it tuned right because it seems undersized...
azjohnny
Active member
The Mag 7 should be enough, the rule of them for a feed pump is 1.5x the DT volume. Going off of your picture looks like you have plenty of air, you could try using a Dwyer air meter to see how much air the injector is pulling
Your skimmer could become less efficient by feeding more water to it, dwell time is the key
Your skimmer could become less efficient by feeding more water to it, dwell time is the key
Piper27
I love bengals
Well I was about to order a needle wheel skimmer because I have no room to go bigger. Then one last email to jeff and somehow it came up to go bigger than 6" on the chamber. So hopefully soon i will be upgrading to a custom skimmer from him 
My skimmer defiantly was undersized, hence all the foam and water level issues I was having.
Figured I would set the records straight for anyone wondering.
My skimmer defiantly was undersized, hence all the foam and water level issues I was having. Figured I would set the records straight for anyone wondering.
Got the SVS2-24 skimmer with mag 9 pump several weeks ago. Best purchase for my reef tank hands down! The corals are doing great, water is so clean I haven't cleaned the glass in two weeks. I've been feeding the tank extra heavy several times a day to compensate.
Tank is a 56g with eshopps R-100 sump. It has been set up for 2 years. Small tank for this skimmer but I'll be upgrading soon.
Tank is a 56g with eshopps R-100 sump. It has been set up for 2 years. Small tank for this skimmer but I'll be upgrading soon.
shaggss
Active member
What about a Fluval SP4? I'm planning on using this for a 28"
EvMiBo
VictoriaConcordiaCrescit
I've never used the mag 12 so I can't really compare. I've been using a jebao dc9000 on 6/6 with the water line 2-3" from the top/edge of the overflow inside of the neck (this is against the grain, Jeff recommends the waterline right around the flange with mags - but I've found I get way more consistent skimming with my waterline higher). As far as power consumption it says 70 watts max, although I haven't hooked up a kitt a watt meter to it. I have a mag18 on hand as a backup but haven't used it at all, I've been pretty happy with the dc9000 so far. The mag18 consumes over double the wattage, but maybe one day I'll hook it up anyways to see the performance...
It's just like the 24" body recommendation: lifereef/Jeff recommends the mag9 on the 24" but he himself runs a mag12. The 30" recommends a mag12, but a mag18 performs close to ideal (apparently, from what I hear). I think the dc9000 on 6/6 is close to the mag18.
The dc9000 pushes around 2300gph at 6/6 (at 0') compared to the mag18 at 0', but IMO the jury is still out on dc pumps under performing in a pressurized situation like venturi skimmers. Mags are (I'm pretty sure) the best submersible pumps under pressure; venturis, head pressure, etc. So it's really tough to say I guess, but at the end of the day I'm happy with the low wattage. It's hard for me to rationalize going through the trouble of hooking up the mag18 and spending over double wattage for marginally better results, unless they're significantly better - I won't know until I try, but trying to fix something that isn't necessarily broken is tough for me to do! :crazy1:
Maybe that helped, maybe not! Just my two cents
d2mini
Premium Member
It all depends when you catch him.
He builds them in batches so if he's out of stock you have to wait till the next batch.
Piper27
I love bengals
Yea, he told me he only does two custom orders a month and I would have to wait 6 to 8 months... I have since found someone to make me a custom skimmer in 2 to three weeks. I will keep using the injectors though.
I would wait but my in sump skimmer is so finiky it overflows once a week. I can't have my system running like this much longer...
I would wait but my in sump skimmer is so finiky it overflows once a week. I can't have my system running like this much longer...
Is your in sump a life reef? If so they can all be ran externally. You just need to plumb it accordingly.
d2mini
Premium Member
It's my fault for starting this thread.
Skimmer sales have definitely gone up, since! Sorry!
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