The sad thing is even though i don't change anything, something f's up in time and I need to dismantle it seems everything just to fix it. RRGGH. Sometimes I want this to be a set it and forget it tank and that's just not going to happen.. I guess thats why they call it a hobby and not a picture.
The Life Reef Skimmer Club
- Thread starter d2mini
- Start date
nycman
New member
Here is mine...
d2mini
Premium Member
That's awesome. Post that here!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2648077&highlight=lifereef
Hey everyone, one thing when people ask for directions on the skimmer well I just read 138pgs and I think one could build his own after that .awesome thread well I scored a used slf300s for cpl $100 
Unfortunately no skimmer wich led me here I have ordered a VS3 36 although I'm a big fan of mags especially seeing its run over ten years through 4 seasons never taken out of pond anyway I read a cpl post on members asking or going the manifold rout I have no problem running independently I see myself wanting to try the sp4 seeing several have had good outcome but you know in this hobby if your like me always trying to reinvent the wheel lol lets try this so I'm also running a reeflow 2 returns 2/3 reactors and flow through a UV everything's ballvalved this leaves a substantial amount of gph at o head height running externally I hear a lot about atmospheric pressure & sump level does this affect just In sump or both or should ya just run it indpt set it and forget it and let the sump and return do their own thing thoughts if anybody had good luck
Unfortunately no skimmer wich led me here I have ordered a VS3 36 although I'm a big fan of mags especially seeing its run over ten years through 4 seasons never taken out of pond anyway I read a cpl post on members asking or going the manifold rout I have no problem running independently I see myself wanting to try the sp4 seeing several have had good outcome but you know in this hobby if your like me always trying to reinvent the wheel lol lets try this so I'm also running a reeflow 2 returns 2/3 reactors and flow through a UV everything's ballvalved this leaves a substantial amount of gph at o head height running externally I hear a lot about atmospheric pressure & sump level does this affect just In sump or both or should ya just run it indpt set it and forget it and let the sump and return do their own thing thoughts if anybody had good luck
Orcus Varuna
New member
Probably not much on a 30" skimmer but give Jeff a call he's always more then happy with advising and will not upsell you if he doesn't feel you will benefit.
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Orcus Varuna
New member
I'm so confused are you asking if you can run the skimmer off of a manifold? As for the pump you really can't go wrong with a mag 18.
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I too am a little confused .. running off a manifold can be done. Me personally, I don't like the added complications it adds. One change and everything else is impacted flow wise..
As Orcus was saying a mag18 will work very well. In fact, anything over a mag9 will be just fine.
Yes That's what I'm asking I'know you can T & valve your *** off but doesn't mean it's correct I'm asking the few members who have tried or know that if the gph is sufficient and your reactors stay flowing meaning staying on top of them so they don't clog does the skimmer perform as expected it would be nice just one main pump and the couple $100 go towards another standby
Orcus Varuna
New member
The Life Reef Skimmer Club
The problem with a manifold is head pressure. Sure gph might be sufficient but it will drastically reduce water pressure. I would always dedicate 1 pump to a Venturi driven skimmer. Manifolds work best in high gph low pressure applications such as media reactors and return lines.
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The problem with a manifold is head pressure. Sure gph might be sufficient but it will drastically reduce water pressure. I would always dedicate 1 pump to a Venturi driven skimmer. Manifolds work best in high gph low pressure applications such as media reactors and return lines.
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Hitch08
New member
I'm thinking about upgrading the pump for 30" skimmer. Well, probably the pump and the venturi. I read on Jeff's website that DC pumps are more costly to run on skimmers than AC pumps. I see that a lot of people are running DC pumps (mainly Jebao) on their skimmers.
Is the thought that the Jebao's are cheaper to purchase, such that the extra cost to run isn't an issue? Or, maybe the extra cost to run isn't an issue anyway?
The settings on the DC pumps would be a plus.
Is the thought that the Jebao's are cheaper to purchase, such that the extra cost to run isn't an issue? Or, maybe the extra cost to run isn't an issue anyway?
The settings on the DC pumps would be a plus.Madehtsobi
New member
has anyone else noticed that their skimmer cups have a stupid amount of crazing??? even my lid is crazing too!
Madehtsobi
New member
not a big deal to me but just kinda weird how much it crazing it has...
about a year old..
Orcus Varuna
New member
The Life Reef Skimmer Club
Idk where he gets the DC pumps are more expensive thing from. A buddy of mine runs a Jebao 10000 on his skimmer and it uses about 40% less electricity then my mag 12. My guess would be he is hinting that DC pumps are less reliable and will have to be replaced more often negating any savings in electricity.
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I'm thinking about upgrading the pump for 30" skimmer. Well, probably the pump and the venturi. I read on Jeff's website that DC pumps are more costly to run on skimmers than AC pumps. I see that a lot of people are running DC pumps (mainly Jebao) on their skimmers.
Is the thought that the Jebao's are cheaper to purchase, such that the extra cost to run isn't an issue? Or, maybe the extra cost to run isn't an issue anyway?
Idk where he gets the DC pumps are more expensive thing from. A buddy of mine runs a Jebao 10000 on his skimmer and it uses about 40% less electricity then my mag 12. My guess would be he is hinting that DC pumps are less reliable and will have to be replaced more often negating any savings in electricity.
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jason2459
Well-known member
An AC pump will draw considerably less watts when under pressure. A DC pumps controller will do everything it can to pull full watts. Like my mag 18 rated at 150watts pulled around 60watts on my 3/4" mazzei. My waveline dc 12000 rated at 150watts pulled 147watts. My jebao 18000 rated at 130 watts pulls 149watts.
Orcus Varuna
New member
The Life Reef Skimmer Club
Maybe the regular Venturi does not create enough back pressure as my mag 12 draws nearly 120 watts...
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Maybe the regular Venturi does not create enough back pressure as my mag 12 draws nearly 120 watts...
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jason2459
Well-known member
I don't think it does and the 1" mazzei venturi would also not be as much pressure the 3/4" mazzei that I have on my skimmer.
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