Let's see your LifeReef Sumps!

d2mini · 08/16/2017, 06:32 AM

I started the LifeReef Skimmer Club thread a while back... so how about a sump thread?

Who here is running a LifeReef system? Post'em if you got'em!

One thing I like is that you can either pick an "off the shelf" system, or go custom.
You'll likely be on a wait list either way but nice to know if one of the many stock options doesn't work, Jeff will work with you to get you exactly what you need.

This was my first LifeReef system.
A custom one for my old 200g setup with separate fish room.

LifeReef has been upping their game lately.
They added this new green "signature line" color which I got a few months back for my latest system.
This was after a failed Triton attempt.
Decided to go back to the tried and true Berlin style sump.
This is an older pic before I put in the filter canisters...

And now he's got this new gray and orange themed sump going to a fellow reefer.

Dang it! lol!

Just like their skimmers, a properly designed sump just works. No need for gimmicks, new designs, etc.
Some things I really like...

1. No filter socks! Instead they use filter pads. They don't clog, much less maintenance, easier to clean.
2. Their skimmers integrate perfectly
3. Perfect flow through the sump with no microbubbles. Even with fast flow.
4. In this design, a refugium can be added on, as seen in the pics above.
5. I've found the integrated filter canisters to work well for my needs and they are easy to get in/remove. Use one, use three, use none, whatever your tank needs at any given time.
6. I like how the refugium has a separate feed so you can adjust your flow separate from the rest of the sump.
And it now has an emergency drain.
7. As with their skimmers, build quality is great... built in the USA... awesome warranty and support.
8. No filter socks!

If you've got LR, let's see it!

LQT · 08/18/2017, 08:20 AM

Jeff definitely does some awesome work!

sh4rkbyt3 · 08/18/2017, 10:35 AM

Nice D2mini

! I've been out of the hobby for about a decade and came back to see sumps with socks which I'm no fan of at all. A simple good quality sponge seems to me to be much more practical and less maintenance type deal.

I ran my low level 20 gal sump on a 90 gal reef and other than one power outage overflow, it never gave me any problems at all and kept virtually all the important pollution levels at zero constantly.

With a much smaller 36 gal bowfront I'm in the market again for a decent quality sump/wet dry system since I had a lot of success with my last one. I'd like to keep the KISS method and simply do the necessary maintenance when it's needed but add a an area for chaeto.

I have to admit Life Reef doe sseem to make the best looning systems that I've seen so far and while I'm sure they're not cheap (in cost) quality never is.

R4LPH · 08/18/2017, 11:12 AM

i actually own one of his sumps. i paid 2700.oo for it from day one it has been a night mare. dealing with jeff and his excuses is a joke. it started out fine and 6 months later still with no resolution he turned and started blaming my plumbing, the pump that he supplied and my apex neptune. after i was fed up with the issues i took it down and went with a geos reef sump. WAY better than the life reef. he dont stand bbehind his equipment like he tells you. if he did he would take it back and find the issue with it. when i installed the new geo sump ive had no issues at all. i would stay away from life reef. look at geosreef.com for quality and good support! i have videos i can post to show the problems with it.

nycman · 08/18/2017, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

I started the LifeReef Skimmer Club thread a while back... so how about a sump thread?

Who here is running a LifeReef system? Post'em if you got'em!

One thing I like is that you can either pick an "off the shelf" system, or go custom.
You'll likely be on a wait list either way but nice to know if one of the many stock options doesn't work, Jeff will work with you to get you exactly what you need.

This was my first LifeReef system.
A custom one for my old 200g setup with separate fish room.

LifeReef has been upping their game lately.
They added this new green "signature line" color which I got a few months back for my latest system.
This was after a failed Triton attempt.
Decided to go back to the tried and true Berlin style sump.
This is an older pic before I put in the filter canisters...

And now he's got this new gray and orange themed sump going to a fellow reefer.

Dang it! lol!

Just like their skimmers, a properly designed sump just works. No need for gimmicks, new designs, etc.
Some things I really like...

1. No filter socks! Instead they use filter pads. They don't clog, much less maintenance, easier to clean.
2. Their skimmers integrate perfectly
3. Perfect flow through the sump with no microbubbles. Even with fast flow.
4. In this design, a refugium can be added on, as seen in the pics above.
5. I've found the integrated filter canisters to work well for my needs and they are easy to get in/remove. Use one, use three, use none, whatever your tank needs at any given time.
6. I like how the refugium has a separate feed so you can adjust your flow separate from the rest of the sump.
And it now has an emergency drain.
7. As with their skimmers, build quality is great... built in the USA... awesome warranty and support.
8. No filter socks!

If you've got LR, let's see it!

murphreef · 08/18/2017, 01:47 PM

Dang those are some nice sump designs and super clean. Could almost just stare at the sump instead of the tank haha.

Orcus Varuna · 08/18/2017, 04:50 PM

Man some of these make mine look just meh

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d2mini · 08/20/2017, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orcus Varuna

Man some of these make mine look just meh

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Very nice!!!
A lot of functionality packed into a small space.

Windsor · 09/04/2017, 09:11 AM

Jeff built me a LF1-300S sump and SVS3-30 skimmer back in 2014 and I still haven't taken them out of the boxes. Had twin girls about 3mo after they arrived so I've been a little busy. Had a custom stand built around the Lifereef sump and skimmer too. It is now just a stand for toys and junk. Last time I had a reef tank was in 1997 and the Lifereef purchase was my reentry into the hobby. Maybe one day!

Orcus Varuna · 09/04/2017, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

Very nice!!!

A lot of functionality packed into a small space.

It does he builds some fantastic equipment. The space is only 20"x20", the only thing I would change is the low corner by the reactors. It really cuts back on the amount of back flow the sump can handle especially with two tanks draining into it.

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08/16/2017, 06:32 AM	#1
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	Let's see your LifeReef Sumps! I started the LifeReef Skimmer Club thread a while back... so how about a sump thread? Who here is running a LifeReef system? Post'em if you got'em! One thing I like is that you can either pick an "off the shelf" system, or go custom. You'll likely be on a wait list either way but nice to know if one of the many stock options doesn't work, Jeff will work with you to get you exactly what you need. This was my first LifeReef system. A custom one for my old 200g setup with separate fish room. LifeReef has been upping their game lately. They added this new green "signature line" color which I got a few months back for my latest system. This was after a failed Triton attempt. Decided to go back to the tried and true Berlin style sump. This is an older pic before I put in the filter canisters... And now he's got this new gray and orange themed sump going to a fellow reefer. Dang it! lol! Just like their skimmers, a properly designed sump just works. No need for gimmicks, new designs, etc. Some things I really like... 1. No filter socks! Instead they use filter pads. They don't clog, much less maintenance, easier to clean. 2. Their skimmers integrate perfectly 3. Perfect flow through the sump with no microbubbles. Even with fast flow. 4. In this design, a refugium can be added on, as seen in the pics above. 5. I've found the integrated filter canisters to work well for my needs and they are easy to get in/remove. Use one, use three, use none, whatever your tank needs at any given time. 6. I like how the refugium has a separate feed so you can adjust your flow separate from the rest of the sump. And it now has an emergency drain. 7. As with their skimmers, build quality is great... built in the USA... awesome warranty and support. 8. No filter socks! If you've got LR, let's see it! __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M. Last edited by d2mini; 08/16/2017 at 10:11 AM.

08/18/2017, 08:20 AM	#2
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	Jeff definitely does some awesome work! __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

08/18/2017, 11:12 AM	#4
R4LPH Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 1	lifereef sump i actually own one of his sumps. i paid 2700.oo for it from day one it has been a night mare. dealing with jeff and his excuses is a joke. it started out fine and 6 months later still with no resolution he turned and started blaming my plumbing, the pump that he supplied and my apex neptune. after i was fed up with the issues i took it down and went with a geos reef sump. WAY better than the life reef. he dont stand bbehind his equipment like he tells you. if he did he would take it back and find the issue with it. when i installed the new geo sump ive had no issues at all. i would stay away from life reef. look at geosreef.com for quality and good support! i have videos i can post to show the problems with it.

08/18/2017, 01:47 PM	#6
murphreef Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: simi valley Posts: 3,208	Dang those are some nice sump designs and super clean. Could almost just stare at the sump instead of the tank haha. __________________ Justin Current Tank Info: 25G cube (finally back in the hobby in a small way)

08/18/2017, 04:50 PM	#7
Orcus Varuna Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 626	Let's see your LifeReef Sumps! Man some of these make mine look just meh Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/18/2017, 10:35 AM	#3
sh4rkbyt3 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Elkton, MD Posts: 110	Nice D2mini ! I've been out of the hobby for about a decade and came back to see sumps with socks which I'm no fan of at all. A simple good quality sponge seems to me to be much more practical and less maintenance type deal. I ran my low level 20 gal sump on a 90 gal reef and other than one power outage overflow, it never gave me any problems at all and kept virtually all the important pollution levels at zero constantly. With a much smaller 36 gal bowfront I'm in the market again for a decent quality sump/wet dry system since I had a lot of success with my last one. I'd like to keep the KISS method and simply do the necessary maintenance when it's needed but add a an area for chaeto. I have to admit Life Reef doe sseem to make the best looning systems that I've seen so far and while I'm sure they're not cheap (in cost) quality never is.

09/04/2017, 09:11 AM	#9
Windsor Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: MS Posts: 5	LF1-300S and SVS3-30 still in the box from 2014 - does that count? Jeff built me a LF1-300S sump and SVS3-30 skimmer back in 2014 and I still haven't taken them out of the boxes. Had twin girls about 3mo after they arrived so I've been a little busy. Had a custom stand built around the Lifereef sump and skimmer too. It is now just a stand for toys and junk. Last time I had a reef tank was in 1997 and the Lifereef purchase was my reentry into the hobby. Maybe one day!