The Life Reef Skimmer Club

[d2mini]

It would create more contact time, and "should" pull more crap out. Why would you? How clean are you trying to run your tank?

I have the 30" with the upgraded 8" cup, my system volume is around 350g and might go a little higher than that soon, and I can currently fill the cup in just a few days with dark nasty skim. And my tank still registers a decent amount of nitrates and phosphates. I don't know if I should get an extension or not, that's what why I was asking.

 

[EvMiBo]

Dennis,

If you're going to go external I'd be tempted to get a 48". Just thinking outloud let us know what you decide to do.

 

[ken6217]

Dennis,

If you're going to go external I'd be tempted to get a 48". Just thinking outloud let us know what you decide to do.

+1. You should go with a 48" regardless of brand.

 

[d2mini]

There has to be a "that's what she said" opportunity here somewhere. Don't you think?

48" just based on water volume you think?
So I guess I could get an 18" extension at some point.
Would that mean I would fill the cup even quicker? Might be time for a skimmate locker. lol

 

[ken6217]

There has to be a "that's what she said" opportunity here somewhere. Don't you think?

48" just based on water volume you think?
So I guess I could get an 18" extension at some point.
Would that mean I would fill the cup even quicker? Might be time for a skimmate locker. lol

You would need a bigger pump too.

 

[prox]

I have my svs3-24 running on WaterBlaster HY-5000 (5000lph). Just place an order for 6" extension, upgrade to Mazzei and also calcium reactor.

Based on my usage for over a year, i find that hy-5000 is not powerful enough for venturi skimmer. Maybe i should say it doesnt work well under pressurize output.

I am going to experiment with HY-10000 after i got the upgrade and extension.

As of now, the skimmer is still functioning very well with almost zero adjustment. I even drag the cleaning of skimmer cup until i can't even see any foam.

 

[azjohnny]

I have my svs3-24 running on WaterBlaster HY-5000 (5000lph). Just place an order for 6" extension, upgrade to Mazzei and also calcium reactor.

Based on my usage for over a year, i find that hy-5000 is not powerful enough for venturi skimmer. Maybe i should say it doesnt work well under pressurize output.

I am going to experiment with HY-10000 after i got the upgrade and extension.

As of now, the skimmer is still functioning very well with almost zero adjustment. I even drag the cleaning of skimmer cup until i can't even see any foam.

If you feel you need more try a pressure rated pump

 

[EvMiBo]

Is there such thing as submersible pressure rated pumps?

 

[ken6217]

Is there such thing as submersible pressure rated pumps?

I've wondered that myself. I think the Magdrive me be close and that if you want more pressure, you could go up one more pump size and throw more water at the venturi. Just a guess.

 

[EvMiBo]

Might as well get a dc pump for less wattage, cooler temp, quieter, and high flow capability. I'm thinking the Jebao dc9000 on an in sump 30" would rock, for example.

Lots of people running Mag18's on 30" LR bodies (even though it comes stock with Mag12).

dc9000 settings: 100%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 70% and 60%. 9000 LPH = 2377 GPH
0.8 * 2377 = 1901 gph
0.8 * 70watts = ~56 watts

Mag18 = 1800gph = 150 watts

Of course, the mags can last a decade, that's why I would have a mag12 or 18 as backup.

 

[azjohnny]

Throwing more water flow at a venturi will work to a certain point but it will max out. A pressure pump will wake up the venturi but will need less GPH or the body will get overwhelmed.

Look at the head height ratings and go with that, I would go with a Mag or Laguna based pump for a submersible. I am not a fan of DC pumps as far as pressure is concerned.

I did upgrade the venturi on my VS3-36 from a Mazzei 979 to a 1078 and noticed a gain in air produced ( I am guessing 15-20%)

 

[ken6217]

Throwing more water flow at a venturi will work to a certain point but it will max out. A pressure pump will wake up the venturi but will need less GPH or the body will get overwhelmed.

Look at the head height ratings and go with that, I would go with a Mag or Laguna based pump for a submersible. I am not a fan of DC pumps as far as pressure is concerned.

I did upgrade the venturi on my VS3-36 from a Mazzei 979 to a 1078 and noticed a gain in air produced ( I am guessing 15-20%)

I understand the process. He was asking if there was a pressure rated submersible pump. I never heard of one but thought he could try more flow from a bigger pump and see how that works.

The issue could become that you are now flowing too much through your skimmer for your size tank. That's why I like recirculating skimmers where the pump for the venturi is independent to the pump that feeds water to the skimmer.

 

[wildman926]

I have the 30" with the upgraded 8" cup, my system volume is around 350g and might go a little higher than that soon, and I can currently fill the cup in just a few days with dark nasty skim. And my tank still registers a decent amount of nitrates and phosphates. I don't know if I should get an extension or not, that's what why I was asking.

Based on what you just said, I would think that the added volume would produce more waste, and fill up the cup faster...yes time for a waste container/skimmate locker. I use the RO version, and it has helped me many a time in the past.

Your nitrates and phosphate is from? Is it the amount of feeding? Have you thought about deploying an ATS?

BTW - amazing seeing the drastic change from your mini crash and the comeback via your videos. I am glad you were able to turn it around so quickly.

 

[ksed]

If you nutrients are high my assumption is that you are undersized on your skimmer. Of the many years in this hobby only once have I had measurable nutrients and that was when my skimmer was undersized. Bought a larger unit and nutrients are gone, at least on a measurable level with Salifert test kits.HTH

 

[d2mini]

Actually I just tested nitrates and p04 for the first time in months and got readings of .1 and .02 respectively. That's like an all time low for me.

 

[d2mini]

Based on what you just said, I would think that the added volume would produce more waste, and fill up the cup faster...yes time for a waste container/skimmate locker. I use the RO version, and it has helped me many a time in the past.

Your nitrates and phosphate is from? Is it the amount of feeding? Have you thought about deploying an ATS?

BTW - amazing seeing the drastic change from your mini crash and the comeback via your videos. I am glad you were able to turn it around so quickly.

Thanks!
And right now i kind of have my own version of an ATS. The wall where water flows from my fuge to my frag tank gets covered in algae that has to be scraped off. Plus all the HA in my fuge.

 

[kris101]

Had another conversation with Jeff today. I am upgrading my tank from a 180 to a 300 DD and have been using a VS3-30. My 30 should handle the 300, but I like to oversize so I decided to order the 6" Extension.

d2mini We aslo chatted about this thread you started... Great guy Great product

 

[ksed]

That's not bad at all.

Actually I just tested nitrates and p04 for the first time in months and got readings of .1 and .02 respectively. That's like an all time low for me.

 

[prox]

Maybe i will try laguna pump. Looking to pair it with 7000-1000lph pump. On top of all that, i will also temporary experiment with deltec sc1455.

 

[Lavoisier]

Is there such thing as submersible pressure rated pumps?

Pressure rated refers to the gph at particular heights or, if a manufacturer does not supply the graph they may simply refer to max. head pressure for the pump. So, yes submersible pumps are "pressure rated." The question becomes how much pressure does my venturi skimmer (Life Reef of course!) need to be efficient.