The Life Reef Skimmer Club

[makeshift101]

more like a minute....it will be down on the lower neck, then go toward top of the neck, then back down. Obv if I have the level started in the middle of the next, it get a very wet skim cause it raises to the top

Originally Posted by EvMiBo

I'd still give it a couple more weeks imo.

Also, when you say constantly do you mean every 10 minutes, every couple hours? The reason I ask is because it may be going dormant in between feeding your fish, etc.

[EvMiBo]

Oh wow. Yeah definitely the pump. Have you taken it apart? I would also contact whomever you received it from about a potential replacement.

[hobbzz]

DC pumps have controllers that can and do change the rpm (which means flow rate) based on back pressure in order to maximize efficiency. But fluctuating that often is not right. I'd switch it out for a non dc pump, or at least gen 2 waveline.

[makeshift101]

I will replace it with my mag 9, and place the dc as my output, mag 9 was to powerful anyway for my output, I will report back when I do.

Thanks everyone

[Jason Lester]

Originally Posted by rEeFnWrX

I'd agree, I just switched out from the dc6000 to my mag12.

DC6k worked great but I think I got lucky with mine. DC pumps are known for having some fluctuation, especially the cheap ones.

Why did you go back to the mag12? Is there a big difference in performance from the mag9 to mag12? I have the 24" skimmer with the mag9 and think it could be better.

[Coralacan]

I have a 15 to 18 year old Life Reef 24 skimmer with the same Rio pump Jeff sent me. It started as a hang on my 30 gal. Went in sump for my 75, then into my 90. Soon it will be in my 155. People pay crazy money and think they're getting better results. I turn off my Toyota plow with a R22 motor at last snow fall & turn the key @ first snow fall & it starts. A BMW wouldn't . Keep it simple and your reef tank will be happy.

[rEeFnWrX]

Originally Posted by Jason Lester

Why did you go back to the mag12? Is there a big difference in performance from the mag9 to mag12? I have the 24" skimmer with the mag9 and think it could be better.

I didn't go back to it. This is my first time running mag12 on it.

Had the mag9 went to dc6000 and now mag12. Will be running it next off iwaki 40rt on my new tank.

It performs much better with mag 12 over mag9 and dc6000

[EvMiBo]

rEeF - what's much better between the dc6000 and mag12?

[Jason Lester]

Originally Posted by EvMiBo

rEeF - what's much better between the dc6000 and mag12?

I'm curious about this also. I think I'll pickup a mag 12 in the next few days and give it a shot.

[rEeFnWrX]

Haven't had it on long but so far better flow slightly more air and more skimmate production. At the cost of more heat and wattage.

[EvMiBo]

Originally Posted by rEeFnWrX

Haven't had it on long but so far better flow slightly more air and more skimmate production. At the cost of more heat and wattage.

Where is the waterline compared to the dc6000? iirc your waterline was ~1" in the neck with the dc6000?

[GatorAlum05]

i wish I had known of lifereef before all my other skimmers. it's been in the tank almost a week. i have yet to touch it since day one.

[makeshift101]

OK, So I didnt switch out pumps since the outgoing on the dc is 1" and the mag is 3/4 it would be to much of a pain in the *** to switch out.

But what I did was raise the skimmer 2" and it seems to work better, so its in 7" of water instead of 9", and seems to improve

Originally Posted by makeshift101

I will replace it with my mag 9, and place the dc as my output, mag 9 was to powerful anyway for my output, I will report back when I do.

Thanks everyone

[rEeFnWrX]

Originally Posted by makeshift101

OK, So I didnt switch out pumps since the outgoing on the dc is 1" and the mag is 3/4 it would be to much of a pain in the *** to switch out.

But what I did was raise the skimmer 2" and it seems to work better, so its in 7" of water instead of 9", and seems to improve

Just so you know. Mag drive pump ratings are based off 1.5" plumbing. Even though the outlets are smaller.

Manual states this and recommends it but most people don't catch it.

[makeshift101]

yes, but for me to change ll my pluming, just makes me want to rage quit...

so..so far so good...its always possible in the near future

[JarahFroski]

I have a mag12 that sits in sump, and connected to a vsv3-36 sitting externally. This skimmer is boss. Once they finally dial in the new DC pumps, I'll wait, I'm gonna get a 12" extension tube from Jeff and run it around 2k GPH, and ask for a recirculating mod on the extension. Has the Mazzei Venturi on it now..

I'd recommend a lifereef skimmer to anyone. Look at Dennis page and how little his break the bank skimmer wasn't worth a damn. Went with lifereef and hmmm, nog within 12 hours. Mine also broke in around the 18 hour mark.

And as far as fresh air draw, can I put a threaded John guest fitting in the hole in the lid, for 1/4" line after slight drilling and tapping, and run that line outside? While keeping Venturi line connected to cap and Venturi for fresh air intake?

[Jason Lester]

Originally Posted by JarahFroski

I have a mag12 that sits in sump, and connected to a vsv3-36 sitting externally. This skimmer is boss. Once they finally dial in the new DC pumps, I'll wait, I'm gonna get a 12" extension tube from Jeff and run it around 2k GPH, and ask for a recirculating mod on the extension. Has the Mazzei Venturi on it now..

I'd recommend a lifereef skimmer to anyone. Look at Dennis page and how little his break the bank skimmer wasn't worth a damn. Went with lifereef and hmmm, nog within 12 hours. Mine also broke in around the 18 hour mark.

And as far as fresh air draw, can I put a threaded John guest fitting in the hole in the lid, for 1/4" line after slight drilling and tapping, and run that line outside? While keeping Venturi line connected to cap and Venturi for fresh air intake?

You have a hole in your lid?

[rEeFnWrX]

Originally Posted by JarahFroski

I have a mag12 that sits in sump, and connected to a vsv3-36 sitting externally. This skimmer is boss. Once they finally dial in the new DC pumps, I'll wait, I'm gonna get a 12" extension tube from Jeff and run it around 2k GPH, and ask for a recirculating mod on the extension. Has the Mazzei Venturi on it now..

I'd recommend a lifereef skimmer to anyone. Look at Dennis page and how little his break the bank skimmer wasn't worth a damn. Went with lifereef and hmmm, nog within 12 hours. Mine also broke in around the 18 hour mark.

And as far as fresh air draw, can I put a threaded John guest fitting in the hole in the lid, for 1/4" line after slight drilling and tapping, and run that line outside? While keeping Venturi line connected to cap and Venturi for fresh air intake?

There is no suction through that hole. If you want fresh air draw you will need to plumb it directly to your venturi air line

[Jason Lester]

Originally Posted by rEeFnWrX

There is no suction through that hole. If you want fresh air draw you will need to plumb it directly to your venturi air line

Is there supposed to be a hole in my lid? I don't have one.

[azjohnny]

OK, So I didnt switch out pumps since the outgoing on the dc is 1" and the mag is 3/4 it would be to much of a pain in the *** to switch out.

My Laguna has the same, I used a 3/4" to 1" threaded/ slip fitting to connect to PVC pipe

[EvMiBo]

Originally Posted by Jason Lester

Is there supposed to be a hole in my lid? I don't have one.

Fwiw mine has a small hole.

[Jason Lester]

Originally Posted by EvMiBo

Fwiw mine has a small hole.

Do you think this would affect performance without the hole? I suppose Jeff could have forgot to drill it...

[EvMiBo]

It's been 4 days since I started up the 30" LR in sump... Tbh I'm not overly impressed with the dc9000. My water line is about 5/8 the way up the collection cup neck. Now that it's there (started lower) it seems to be producing decent amount of skimmate, but I thought it was interesting that most people seem to have the water line closer to the flange.

[EvMiBo]

Originally Posted by Jason Lester

Do you think this would affect performance without the hole? I suppose Jeff could have forgot to drill it...

To be honest I'm not sure. I would contact Jeff about it. If I had to guess I would think that it really doesn't matter. There may be a very small amount of suction from the small hole in my lid, but I would think it's negligible.

[rEeFnWrX]

Originally Posted by EvMiBo

Fwiw mine has a small hole.

I believe this hole is for equalizing the chamber air when the pump starts and stops. It should not affect skimming performance.

But ask Jeff to confirm