The Life Reef Skimmer Club - Page 72

skinsncanes · 04/01/2015, 09:56 AM

To what height? I keep it now right under the neck

d2mini · 04/01/2015, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinsncanes

To what height? I keep it now right under the neck

As stated in the previous post, make a small adjustment and wait.
Your tank and your sump water level will determine where you end up. Everyone's will differ slightly.

rEeFnWrX · 04/01/2015, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

As stated in the previous post, make a small adjustment and wait.
Your tank and your sump water level will determine where you end up. Everyone's will differ slightly.

Also, every tanks water chemistry is different which affects the waters elasticity. which in turn affects your optimal skimmer water height. So people can only give you a base starting height and you need to adjust accordingly from there.

Hitch08 · 04/01/2015, 10:34 AM

I am building a 120g display with a 40g breeder sump. Looks like the SVS2-24 would be the one, as I would like an in sump unit.

Any thoughts on whether I should upgrade to the Mag12? One down side would be the extra power consumption. Would that upgrade make sense for my set up?

rEeFnWrX · 04/01/2015, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitch08

I am building a 120g display with a 40g breeder sump. Looks like the SVS2-24 would be the one, as I would like an in sump unit.

Any thoughts on whether I should upgrade to the Mag12? One down side would be the extra power consumption. Would that upgrade make sense for my set up?

You should consider the 30 inch if you can fit it, minor cost difference. I wouldn't run anything less than mag12 on a 24. I've had great performance increase since I switched.

Hitch08 · 04/01/2015, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rEeFnWrX

You should consider the 30 inch if you can fit it, minor cost difference. I wouldn't run anything less than mag12 on a 24. I've had great performance increase since I switched.

Is this the one that you are referring to? SVS30-30 IN-SUMP

Also, the "30" is the height? The website lists it as 9x12. The sump is a 40g breeder, which is 36x18x16. I'll need to measure my stand again, but I might have around 33/34 inches of room (height wise). Since I haven't built the sump, I can design around it otherwise.

Would you go with the Mag12 on the SVS30-30 IN-SUMP?

azjohnny · 04/01/2015, 11:29 AM

I found the stock gate valve too difficult for fine tune adjustments, I bought a Spears gate valve, they turn a lot easier

Yogre · 04/01/2015, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azjohnny

I found the stock gate valve too difficult for fine tune adjustments, I bought a Spears gate valve, they turn a lot easier

Completely agree here. I put a Spears valve on my 30" and it's much easier to adjust when I need to...which isn't very often.

RDM · 04/02/2015, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitch08

Any thoughts on whether I should upgrade to the Mag12? One down side would be the extra power consumption. Would that upgrade make sense for my set up?

The Mag pumps seem rock solid but they generate a lot of heat. I had a 9.5 on my SVS24 but replaced it with a DC pump. Near as I can tell that took three to four degrees of heat out of my tank. Instead of the temp running 83 it now runs between 79 to 80 and I've been able to turn my chiller off. Heat management can be a big deal here in FL. I can't imagine a mag12 running cooler than a mag9.5.

rEeFnWrX · 04/02/2015, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDM

The Mag pumps seem rock solid but they generate a lot of heat. I had a 9.5 on my SVS24 but replaced it with a DC pump. Near as I can tell that took three to four degrees of heat out of my tank. Instead of the temp running 83 it now runs between 79 to 80 and I've been able to turn my chiller off. Heat management can be a big deal here in FL. I can't imagine a mag12 running cooler than a mag9.5.

I find that extremely hard to believe unless you have very small water volume or you do not keep your house cool... I'm in texas. My Temps with halides used to peak at 82. I went to LEDS and my tanks stable at 78 np. mag 12, mag 9 and mag 7 all running on a 90 gallon... tried DC 6000 on my skimmer for a bit instead of mag 9 and my heater still barely ran more.

RDM · 04/02/2015, 06:49 AM

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. House is kept at 76 degrees. Radion XR15 Pro LEDs and an open top. No heater in this tank. The tank is 29 gallon with 15 gallon in the sump. The only change was a pump swap on the skimmer from the mag9.5 to a waveline DC6000 that I run at one bar under full speed. I can't explain why but the three to four degree temp drop is what I saw after the swap. Maybe the mag I have is bad but it runs hot.

rEeFnWrX · 04/02/2015, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDM

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. House is kept at 76 degrees. Radion XR15 Pro LEDs and an open top. No heater in this tank. The tank is 29 gallon with 15 gallon in the sump. The only change was a pump swap on the skimmer from the mag9.5 to a waveline DC6000 that I run at one bar under full speed. I can't explain why but the three to four degree temp drop is what I saw after the swap. Maybe the mag I have is bad but it runs hot.

Yeah, your tank volume is definitely why you had such a change. 44 gallons before considering your rock and equipment

azjohnny · 04/02/2015, 11:03 AM

Mag pumps when used as a skimmer pump draw less wattage than what is advertised

iced98lx · 04/02/2015, 11:25 AM

are you all running your returns under the surface of the sump? The siphon that forms when I do that takes a little while to form, so I have to ramp up the skimmer very slowly to not overflow it while it purges the air and what not. Not a huge problem but it takes patience and luck to power it back on without an inch of saltwater in the skimmer cup.

rEeFnWrX · 04/02/2015, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iced98lx

are you all running your returns under the surface of the sump? The siphon that forms when I do that takes a little while to form, so I have to ramp up the skimmer very slowly to not overflow it while it purges the air and what not. Not a huge problem but it takes patience and luck to power it back on without an inch of saltwater in the skimmer cup.

Yep and never had issues with it restarting

iced98lx · 04/02/2015, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rEeFnWrX

Yep and never had issues with it restarting

Probably my length of plumbing with it external. Could probably put in an air purge valve but what's the fun in that.

EvMiBo · 04/02/2015, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitch08

Is this the one that you are referring to? SVS30-30 IN-SUMP

Also, the "30" is the height? The website lists it as 9x12. The sump is a 40g breeder, which is 36x18x16. I'll need to measure my stand again, but I might have around 33/34 inches of room (height wise). Since I haven't built the sump, I can design around it otherwise.

Would you go with the Mag12 on the SVS30-30 IN-SUMP?

Yup.
30" is the height WITH the collection cup on.

That'll be plenty of room, I run the 30" LR with about 31-32" of in sump height, tight fit but works just fine.

If you're going mag go mag18 with 30" model. I'm running a jebao dc9000 6/6 and getting good results. Although I may switch to mag18 sometime to see wattage and skimmate difference.

If you can fit the 30" I would go that route, that being said the 24" model is a great skimmer with the mag12 on there, my brothers is working wonders for him on a ~120g system.

Hitch08 · 04/02/2015, 12:04 PM

Many thanks! Just left a message for Jeff.

d2mini · 04/02/2015, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azjohnny

Mag pumps when used as a skimmer pump draw less wattage than what is advertised

Why is that?
And how much less?

Hitch08 · 04/02/2015, 02:39 PM

Just spoke with Jeff. Placed an order and will be joining the crew.

SVS30-30 IN-SUMP with a Mag18.

Appreciate all the advice!

ksed · 04/02/2015, 03:02 PM

When you add back pressure to a pump the power consumption goes down quite a bit. Same rule applies to when you use a ball valve on you return. When throttling down your power goes down. I've heard in some cases of 30-40% drop

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

Why is that?
And how much less?

d2mini · 04/02/2015, 03:40 PM

Does the skimmer really create that much back pressure compared to if you were say running the pump as a return pump?
What about compared to an equivalent sized DC pump?
Still trying to decide if I should replace my Mag 12 with a Mag 18 or something like a jaebo dc 12000

d2mini · 04/02/2015, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitch08

Just spoke with Jeff. Placed an order and will be joining the crew.

SVS30-30 IN-SUMP with a Mag18.

Appreciate all the advice!

Nice!

Yogre · 04/02/2015, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

Does the skimmer really create that much back pressure compared to if you were say running the pump as a return pump?
What about compared to an equivalent sized DC pump?
Still trying to decide if I should replace my Mag 12 with a Mag 18 or something like a jaebo dc 12000

I would think a skimmer counts as quite a bit of back pressure, depending on how far closed the gate valve is.

No experience with DC pumps, but I've been very happy with the Mag 18 on my SVS3-30. I tried a Water Blaster HY7000 for a while to get more energy efficiency but discovered it just wouldn't keep a stable foam height. My suspicion is its because it's not a pressure rated pump. The Mag 18 keeps a nice stable foam height, and delivers lots of smelly nasty wet nog. I like it.

Only downside I can see might be heat this summer, as I run in-sump and don't have a chiller. Wouldn't be an issue for you since you do have a chiller.

ksed · 04/02/2015, 04:37 PM

Absolutely ! The back pressure is coming from the injector. That's why pressure rated pumps are usually recommend. Iwaki are my personal favorite but blue line and Panworld are just as good.
Dennis the best thing you can get yourself is a P3 meter.
You will be surprised at how the wattage changes accordingly to head pressure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

Does the skimmer really create that much back pressure compared to if you were say running the pump as a return pump?
What about compared to an equivalent sized DC pump?
Still trying to decide if I should replace my Mag 12 with a Mag 18 or something like a jaebo dc 12000

04/01/2015, 10:34 AM	#1779
Hitch08 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Philly Suburbs Posts: 665	I am building a 120g display with a 40g breeder sump. Looks like the SVS2-24 would be the one, as I would like an in sump unit. Any thoughts on whether I should upgrade to the Mag12? One down side would be the extra power consumption. Would that upgrade make sense for my set up? __________________ 120g tank with 40g breeder sump. SVS-30 LifeReef Skimmer. EcoTech Radion Pros.

04/02/2015, 12:04 PM	#1793
Hitch08 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Philly Suburbs Posts: 665	Many thanks! Just left a message for Jeff. __________________ 120g tank with 40g breeder sump. SVS-30 LifeReef Skimmer. EcoTech Radion Pros.

04/02/2015, 02:39 PM	#1795
Hitch08 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Philly Suburbs Posts: 665	Just spoke with Jeff. Placed an order and will be joining the crew. SVS30-30 IN-SUMP with a Mag18. Appreciate all the advice! __________________ 120g tank with 40g breeder sump. SVS-30 LifeReef Skimmer. EcoTech Radion Pros.

04/02/2015, 03:40 PM	#1797
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	Does the skimmer really create that much back pressure compared to if you were say running the pump as a return pump? What about compared to an equivalent sized DC pump? Still trying to decide if I should replace my Mag 12 with a Mag 18 or something like a jaebo dc 12000 __________________ -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.

04/01/2015, 09:56 AM	#1776
skinsncanes Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 156	To what height? I keep it now right under the neck

04/01/2015, 11:29 AM	#1782
azjohnny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gold Canyon Posts: 2,914	I found the stock gate valve too difficult for fine tune adjustments, I bought a Spears gate valve, they turn a lot easier

04/02/2015, 06:49 AM	#1786
RDM Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: West Central Florida Posts: 68	I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. House is kept at 76 degrees. Radion XR15 Pro LEDs and an open top. No heater in this tank. The tank is 29 gallon with 15 gallon in the sump. The only change was a pump swap on the skimmer from the mag9.5 to a waveline DC6000 that I run at one bar under full speed. I can't explain why but the three to four degree temp drop is what I saw after the swap. Maybe the mag I have is bad but it runs hot.

04/02/2015, 11:03 AM	#1788
azjohnny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gold Canyon Posts: 2,914	Mag pumps when used as a skimmer pump draw less wattage than what is advertised

04/02/2015, 11:25 AM	#1789
iced98lx Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 2,258	are you all running your returns under the surface of the sump? The siphon that forms when I do that takes a little while to form, so I have to ramp up the skimmer very slowly to not overflow it while it purges the air and what not. Not a huge problem but it takes patience and luck to power it back on without an inch of saltwater in the skimmer cup.