The Life Reef Skimmer Club

LR recommends he mag9 for 24 body but it's been widely discussed here that these bodies can handle more. Jeff has even stated it and I believe he uses a mag12 on his 24. Mags handle venturis better than dc pumps (so I've heard), so with a dc pump I'd give it more flow. I've seen several use the jebao dc6000 on 6/6 on the 24 body.

I'm using a dc9000 at 6/6 on a 30" body.
 
Johnseye said:
6000lph? That's 1585gph. Pump size min. on the -24 are 600gph. What do you gain from more than doubling that min.?

AC vs DC in this skimmer? Fluval SP4 vs Jebao DC-6000?

I've been considering a Bubble King but they're out of stock so this may be an option. My other option is a Nyos but am leaning toward the Life Reef if I can nail down a good "quiet" pump.
Click to expand...
It's the pressure that the pump will generate, not the flow. The oriface on the venturi is about a quarter inch so there is not much flow. It's all about how hard the pump can push against that oriface.
 
BillFW said:
It's the pressure that the pump will generate, not the flow. The oriface on the venturi is about a quarter inch so there is not much flow. It's all about how hard the pump can push against that oriface.
Click to expand...

How do we find out the pressure of different pumps for these skimmers?
 
It's the pressure that the pump will generate, not the flow. The oriface on the venturi is about a quarter inch so there is not much flow. It's all about how hard the pump can push against that oriface.
Click to expand...

You don't want to over size your pump to push too much pressure through the venturi because you can create too much air for the body. Been there done that.
 
Here is my Kill A Watt with my SP4 running my skimmer (SVS3-30 in sump):



Here is my Kill A Watt with a separate SP4 as my return:



My apologies for how large those are - I don't know how to make them smaller.

Note that I do have a gate valve on the return SP4. Also, I had to put a little 4 inch extender on the Kill A Watt in order to plug it in. I'm not sure if that would affect the reading. Also, I only ran each pump for a few minutes before taking the picture. Not sure if any of that matters.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Welcome!

You also asked about clearance. My Life Reef sits in a 40g breeder. The very top of the skimmer is just less than 2 inches below the "ceiling" in the sump compartment. I can lift off the skim cup and remove it for cleaning without needing to move the skimmer body at all. It's not an issue for me.

I would think that you don't want to go much below 1.5".
 
DavidinGA said:
How do we find out the pressure of different pumps for these skimmers?
Click to expand...
The head height rating. Take 2 pumps, both rated at 1000 GPH. One with a head rating of 11 feet and the other of 30. The one rated at 11 feet will experience a more dramatic drop off in flow as it's exposed to more head pressure. You will see some pumps described as "pressure" pumps. I'd say, talk to Jeff about any specific pump for his input.
bayoupr said:
You don't want to over size your pump to push too much pressure through the venturi because you can create too much air for the body. Been there done that.
Click to expand...
+1
 
According to UPS mine skimmer purchased from Clugo should be at my house today. It will be months before it is getting used as my tank build is proceeding slowly but couldnt pass up the deal.

I might try it out on my nano for now just to compare it to my HOB-1 but would have to see if I can fit the pump in the back area as I dont want to plumb it in for a temporary area...
 
Hitch08 said:
Welcome!

You also asked about clearance. My Life Reef sits in a 40g breeder. The very top of the skimmer is just less than 2 inches below the "ceiling" in the sump compartment. I can lift off the skim cup and remove it for cleaning without needing to move the skimmer body at all. It's not an issue for me.

I would think that you don't want to go much below 1.5".
Click to expand...

hi hitch, are you running the white venturi with the sp4?? what size inlet do you have on it??? or what size output from sp4???

thanks
 
Hitch08 said:
Here is my Kill A Watt with my SP4 running my skimmer (SVS3-30 in sump):

Here is my Kill A Watt with a separate SP4 as my return:

My apologies for how large those are - I don't know how to make them smaller.

Note that I do have a gate valve on the return SP4. Also, I had to put a little 4 inch extender on the Kill A Watt in order to plug it in. I'm not sure if that would affect the reading. Also, I only ran each pump for a few minutes before taking the picture. Not sure if any of that matters.
Click to expand...

I just ordered the same kill-a-watt model for $20 shipped. I'm curious to see what my jebao dc9000 is drawing at setting 6/6 on my 30" body.

I can't remember, are you running the stock venturi?
 
Yes, I have the stock venturi. I didn't get the upgrade.

Pretty sure that I have a 1" hose barb. I'll confirm when I get home.
 
I asked Jeff about the Fluval SP2 but he hasn't tested it. Anyone know if the SP4 is too much for this skimmer? Also, anything I should ask for or customize?
 
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