The Life Reef Skimmer Club
- Thread starter d2mini
- Start date
Great video. Awesome to hear the pump is dead silent ( next to other noises in sump ). I don't have lifereef but the two things I read earlier in last 90 pages.
1. Air valve to Venturi routed to collection cup reduces noise but from video it looks like you did that.
2. Clogged Venturi can do that too but your skimmer looks super crazy clean.
I have aquamaxx cones-cs2 on my old 93g tank ( in process upgrading to 210g ) trying to figure out correct skimmer and sump. Kinda bummed it was so loud for you and really hope you find solution.
Thanks for awesome video.
EvMiBo
VictoriaConcordiaCrescit
Nice!
I first and foremost you're going to need to let it break in some. Also, 24" bodies can go in a maximum of 9" of water. Anything more will make it inconsistent and you may have some overflows.
I'm not sure, but it sounds like it might be pulling a lot/too much air (since the venturi is on the loud side even with the collection cup lid on). If that's the case I suppose you could run it at less than maximum and/or add a needle valve to the venturi air line so it doesn't suck as much air. I'd imagine you'd need to open the gate valve more then. There's been a couple people here that have added the needle valve to the venturi line with success. ::waiting for others to chime in:: thanks for the video!
bayoupr
New member
After I was able to move my sump back to the room behind my tank like it used to be I pulled out my Lifereef and cranked her back up. Glad to get out from under the cabinet and get rid of the needle wheel skimmer. Skimmer is running with a Mazzei 1078 and Panworld 50PX pump. Been running now for about a month or so. Also, this is a 30" skimmer with a 12" extension riser with a 1" coupling for my pump inlet. Plugged the inlet 90 off on the top flange.
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GatorAlum05
Member
no matter what size skimmer you get, GET THE MAZZEI
I have a 24in without a mazzei and a 30in with a mazzei. The foam head on the 30in is ridiculous. I will be installing a mazzei in the 24.
I have a 24in without a mazzei and a 30in with a mazzei. The foam head on the 30in is ridiculous. I will be installing a mazzei in the 24.
Question since you have both.. Is there any difference in noise of regular Venturi vs mazzei ?
Thanks
Nathan
Johnseye
Reef Addict
Updated full length YouTube video here. It may take an hour or so for the full HD to finish processing:
Full Length Life Reef Vectra Video
It does need to break in. It's a brand spankin new skimmer and I did not soak it in vinegar. I originally had it in 7" of water and when I brought it down to 10" the actual water level inside the skimmer didn't change. When it was at 7" the level inside raised up to about 10". I may bring it up a little to see if it makes a difference. I'm definitely pulling a lot of air as the pump is pushing a lot of water through. I have it at 60% now but will continue to adjust, however I had it down to 30-40% and it was still making a lot of noise.
One very nice thing about the Vectra pump is that you calibrate it. I set the low and high speeds, then I get 10 settings in between that. My low setting is set to the slowest the pump can go. What I will do is recalibrate it so the low setting is a bit higher, then I expect to have more setting options between the speeds I'll actually use allowing for better tuning.
The pumps integration within EcoSmart Live is very nice. You can set the speed by percentage at various points during the day. Same as with the Vortech pumps. Not that I'll be adjusting the skimmer output variably but I can see how it would work for a CL.
Johnseye
Reef Addict
Was that question to me? I'm not using 2 pumps, nor do I know of anyone who is.
GatorAlum05
Member
don't know. my mp40wes is loud enough.
all i know is when the sump doors are closed, i can't hear anything down there for either.
maybe you guys who have issues with noises from your return pump or skimmer buy some sound resistant tape and put it against your sump doors. that's what i have. i don't hear anything. 20 bucks or so.
bayoupr
New member
The only noise on mine is the Panworld Pump I'm running which is to be expected and this is in my sump room only. As for the injectors, neither the mazzei's or the standard made any noise of revelance. If the lid is on and the hose is hooked between the cup and injector, zero noise.
I have the same problem. MP40 is loudest thing on old tank. I plan to probably sell it and go to something else with wires and no noise.
Thank you
Nathan
Yogre
Cheesehead Reefer
Said the skimmer is ran with 2 pumps?
Oh boy.[emoji4]
Just googled what a mazzei is..
Guessing it is what's actually making the foam?
Yes, the mazzei is the venturi, which does produce the bubbles.
Johnseye
Reef Addict
One thing I've noticed since using my Vectra M1 is that I "think" it's the cause of a 2F degree increase over the Sicce pump on the Aquamaxx skimmer. I still need to verify to know without a doubt. I am running it at max speed. If so, this is a deal breaker for me as I don't have much wiggle room as far as temp is concerned.
broadwave
New member
I'm running my LifeReef 4 Foot skimmer (VS3-48) with 2 pumps... the reason for this is on the larger LifeReef skimmers you can set them up in different configurations.
The configuration Im using is recirculating... I have an Eheim 800Gph pump feeding water from the sump to the skimmer and then a BL40 as the recirculation pump taking water from the bottom of the skimmer and recirculating it through the Mazzei Venturi.
In the future, I'll be adding a second venturi and upgrading the BL40 to the EcoTech L1 pump to feed BOTH venturi's.
zachfishman
Active member
What kind of system are you running that VS3-48 on? I'm researching skimmers for a 600g SPS system and LifeReef is an option.
jcolley
Member
Checked in here after being absent for a while and see some DC pumps are in favor now. I'm all about quieter pumps and my Mag 12 sprung a leak on the volute.
I have a VS3-36 external fed from a bulkhead on the drain side of my sump.
I'd like to go to a 48" or 60" in the future and tend to plumb things a bit permanently, so I'd rather not rework at again.
What's the pump flavor of the week then?
I have a VS3-36 external fed from a bulkhead on the drain side of my sump.
I'd like to go to a 48" or 60" in the future and tend to plumb things a bit permanently, so I'd rather not rework at again.
What's the pump flavor of the week then?
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