The Life Reef Skimmer Club - Page 6

d2mini · 05/04/2014, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clugo

I have a few question for my Lifereef family:

1. How often do u clean ur skimmer cup and neck?

For those who also one a Lifereef calcium reactor:
2. Did u install a check valve on the line from the co2?

3. Did u install a needle valve to control the output from the reactor ?

If so , did they come w the reactor?

Thanks for ur help.

1. Maybe once a month. Every few days I empty it using the valve on the cup.
2. ?
3. ?

The last two sound like you are asking about a calcium reactor.
There is no co2 or needle valve.

clugo · 05/04/2014, 07:05 AM

thanks!!

Yeah, my last two questions had to do w a LR calcium reactor. I'm about to get mine online; hopefully this week. I had noticed people mentioning these two items in either youtube videos or in posts on RC but i didn't notice either on Jeff's site.

thanks again.

WestTexasReefer · 05/04/2014, 11:31 AM

I have a Sicce Syncra 4.0 on my vs-24 and it works great. It is definitely quieter than the Mag 9.5.

skinsncanes · 05/05/2014, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragga

VS3-30 (external) or SVS3-30 (in sump).
Best bet would be to give Jeff a call and discuss your needs. He will spend as much time with you as needed. His customer service is second to none.

Just had a solid 90 minute phone call with Jeff. Learned a lot.

Checking wallet now....

Im leaning towards his skimmer and wet dry filter. trying to get my tank right the first time.

clugo · 05/05/2014, 06:28 PM

I've owned reef octopus and deltec; Jeff's skimmer has blown both of them away. I currently have his vs24 and it's by far the best skimmer I've owned. I'd highly recommend it!

kris101 · 05/05/2014, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinsncanes

Im leaning towards his skimmer and wet dry filter. trying to get my tank right the first time.

You won't go wrong with Lifereef! Great Choice

Speed · 05/05/2014, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinsncanes

Just had a solid 90 minute phone call with Jeff. Learned a lot.

Yes Sir, Jeff is one of the good ones.
As others have said...you won't be disappointed.

Flosscadub · 05/06/2014, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

This is the latest pic i have.
It's been like 10 months or so and the skimmer hasn't missed a beat!

This might be a dumb question
How did you connect you union to the Venturi?
They're both female?
I can't seem to find a double male connector
I've found what is called a riser, but it leaks(not sch40)
Plz advise
Sorry if it's an idiotic question
Thanks

dcmartinpc · 05/06/2014, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flosscadub

This might be a dumb question
How did you connect you union to the Venturi?
They're both female?
I can't seem to find a double male connector
I've found what is called a riser, but it leaks(not sch40)
Plz advise
Sorry if it's an idiotic question
Thanks

Looks like it might be 1" or 3/4" PVC, just cut a short piece and glue it together.

I may be wrong, please advise if otherwise.

Don

ken6217 · 05/06/2014, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flosscadub

This might be a dumb question
How did you connect you union to the Venturi?
They're both female?
I can't seem to find a double male connector
I've found what is called a riser, but it leaks(not sch40)
Plz advise
Sorry if it's an idiotic question
Thanks

I have the mazzei venturi which is male on both sides. If yours are female threaded on both sides, get two MPT/slip. Thread the male ends into the two female. Then cut a short piece of PVC and glue the two together.

You can also call Jeff. He would have put the piece you are looking for in with the shipment. I'm sure he will send you another.

Here is a couple of pictures of what they look like.
Ken

bawalitt · 05/07/2014, 09:12 AM

Just got my new Lifereef 30" skimmer two days ago. The build quality is excellent and great attention to detail. I got mine with a Mazzi venturi.

Its plumbed outside the sump with a mag 12 supplying water to it.

Its been two days and looks like its still breaking in. It has not produced any foam head or skimmate.

Want to ask the members out there if they can share their experience re. the skimmers break-in period.

Cheers

clugo · 05/07/2014, 09:15 AM

Ive had mine for about 2.5 wks and its done great. It took a couple of days to really start skimming well. It was a little wet before I dialed it in a little better but that was ok since I just changed all my LR.

kris101 · 05/07/2014, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawalitt

Want to ask the members out there if they can share their experience re. the skimmers break-in period.

Did you give it a vinegar bath 1st? Break in can very. Mine took about a week and a half on a new tank. I have read others only taking hours. I know that New saltwater will prolong the breaking period as there is a lot of surface tension.

d2mini · 05/07/2014, 09:47 AM

Mine went from the box, straight into my tank and was producing foam within 12 hours.
Since then I have done deep cleanings/vinegar baths and it still starts skimming quickly.
What's your water level set to in the skimmer body?

Mine is plumbed inside the sump, so not sure what difference there is in setup/water level vs being plumbed outside the sump.

ken6217 · 05/07/2014, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawalitt

Just got my new Lifereef 30" skimmer two days ago. The build quality is excellent and great attention to detail. I got mine with a Mazzi venturi.

Its plumbed outside the sump with a mag 12 supplying water to it.

Its been two days and looks like its still breaking in. It has not produced any foam head or skimmate.

Want to ask the members out there if they can share their experience re. the skimmers break-in period.

Cheers

We have the same setup. Each tank is different in terms of how long it takes for a skimmer to breakin. I did have a foam head within that time period on mine. it didn't have any real color to speak of, but it did have a foam head.

Where do you have the level set in relation to the top flange?
Ken

bawalitt · 05/07/2014, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken6217

We have the same setup. Each tank is different in terms of how long it takes for a skimmer to breakin. I did have a foam head within that time period on mine. it didn't have any real color to speak of, but it did have a foam head.

Where do you have the level set in relation to the top flange?
Ken

Thanks for the replies guys,

Well mine is setup outside the sump, on a small stool. The water level inside the skimmer is approx. 1" below the flange.

At work right now, but once i get home I will be able to update you guys on the progress.

One thing i did that i think could be causing a delayed response, is that i installed that foam pad at the bottom of the Mag 12 (it comes with it) to reduce the vibrations.

My bio load is pretty heave. My Tunze was skimming some nog before i installed this skimmer, now because of the change in water tension my tunze is also not skimming. lol.

bawalitt · 05/07/2014, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris101

Did you give it a vinegar bath 1st? Break in can very. Mine took about a week and a half on a new tank. I have read others only taking hours. I know that New saltwater will prolong the breaking period as there is a lot of surface tension.

No i did not give it a vinegar bath. In the hind sight i should have done it.

Another thing i forgot to mention, I put some sylicone greese which came with the skimmer on the rubber gasket. Dont know if thats causing it to not foam.

bayoupr · 05/07/2014, 03:47 PM

Give it time, it will produce. I just set up a 30" yesterday and as of now, slight foam. But I know it will pickup because my 48" did the same. By morning mine should be foaming (usually takes about 24-36hrs). Some people have theirs skimming within 12hrs or so.

ken6217 · 05/07/2014, 03:47 PM

Raise the water level to just about where the flange is. You should get water-bubbles in the neck. It make just look like boiling water at first but then you will get foam.

bobbyc366 · 05/07/2014, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawalitt

No i did not give it a vinegar bath. In the hind sight i should have done it.

Another thing i forgot to mention, I put some sylicone greese which came with the skimmer on the rubber gasket. Dont know if thats causing it to not foam.

Just give some time they are a beast, I also use the silicone, keep the water leaves about a inch or so from the flange and let it do it's thing.

ksed · 05/07/2014, 04:07 PM

Silicone will definitely do it. Especially if you accidentally got some when water can come in contact with the silicone.Not sure if it will work but try to run some new carbon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawalitt

No i did not give it a vinegar bath. In the hind sight i should have done it.

Another thing i forgot to mention, I put some sylicone greese which came with the skimmer on the rubber gasket. Dont know if thats causing it to not foam.

bawalitt · 05/07/2014, 04:57 PM

Well jut got home and checked the skimmers. The Tunze 9430 has a foam head and is lightly skimming But the Lifereef is still just booking water.
I will run some new carbon through it, hopefully that helps.

bawalitt · 05/07/2014, 05:09 PM

Just added 1.5 cups of fresh carbon. Let's see if that helps

ken6217 · 05/07/2014, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawalitt

Well jut got home and checked the skimmers. The Tunze 9430 has a foam head and is lightly skimming But the Lifereef is still just booking water.
I will run some new carbon through it, hopefully that helps.

Why are you running two skimmers? Your Lifereef is competing for the same dissolved organics.

bawalitt · 05/07/2014, 05:31 PM

Well I was going to take the Tunze off line as soon as the Lifereef broke in, but they both stopped working because of the chemicals released by the Lifereef skimmers glue or something

05/04/2014, 11:31 AM	#128
WestTexasReefer Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 243	I have a Sicce Syncra 4.0 on my vs-24 and it works great. It is definitely quieter than the Mag 9.5. __________________ Jeff Current Tank Info: 180 gallon brick with Aqua Illumination LED lights

05/05/2014, 06:28 PM	#130
clugo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 537	The Life Reef Skimmer Club I've owned reef octopus and deltec; Jeff's skimmer has blown both of them away. I currently have his vs24 and it's by far the best skimmer I've owned. I'd highly recommend it!

05/07/2014, 09:12 AM	#136
bawalitt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 26	New lifereef svs3-30 Just got my new Lifereef 30" skimmer two days ago. The build quality is excellent and great attention to detail. I got mine with a Mazzi venturi. Its plumbed outside the sump with a mag 12 supplying water to it. Its been two days and looks like its still breaking in. It has not produced any foam head or skimmate. Want to ask the members out there if they can share their experience re. the skimmers break-in period. Cheers

05/07/2014, 09:47 AM	#139
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	Mine went from the box, straight into my tank and was producing foam within 12 hours. Since then I have done deep cleanings/vinegar baths and it still starts skimming quickly. What's your water level set to in the skimmer body? Mine is plumbed inside the sump, so not sure what difference there is in setup/water level vs being plumbed outside the sump. __________________ -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.

05/04/2014, 07:05 AM	#127
clugo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 537	thanks!! Yeah, my last two questions had to do w a LR calcium reactor. I'm about to get mine online; hopefully this week. I had noticed people mentioning these two items in either youtube videos or in posts on RC but i didn't notice either on Jeff's site. thanks again.

05/07/2014, 09:15 AM	#137
clugo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 537	Ive had mine for about 2.5 wks and its done great. It took a couple of days to really start skimming well. It was a little wet before I dialed it in a little better but that was ok since I just changed all my LR.

05/07/2014, 03:47 PM	#143
bayoupr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,308	Give it time, it will produce. I just set up a 30" yesterday and as of now, slight foam. But I know it will pickup because my 48" did the same. By morning mine should be foaming (usually takes about 24-36hrs). Some people have theirs skimming within 12hrs or so.

05/07/2014, 03:47 PM	#144
ken6217 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,179	Raise the water level to just about where the flange is. You should get water-bubbles in the neck. It make just look like boiling water at first but then you will get foam.

05/07/2014, 04:57 PM	#147
bawalitt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 26	Well jut got home and checked the skimmers. The Tunze 9430 has a foam head and is lightly skimming But the Lifereef is still just booking water. I will run some new carbon through it, hopefully that helps.

05/07/2014, 05:09 PM	#148
bawalitt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 26	Just added 1.5 cups of fresh carbon. Let's see if that helps

05/07/2014, 05:31 PM	#150
bawalitt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 26	Well I was going to take the Tunze off line as soon as the Lifereef broke in, but they both stopped working because of the chemicals released by the Lifereef skimmers glue or something