LifeReef Venturi Skimmers

Dwarf Seahorses · 12/03/2007, 02:05 PM

I've heard great things about lifereef skimmers and I'm considering using one for a 75-95 gallon SPS tank. (I've read that people have been using these skimmers for 9+ years without any issues and work like new.)

Does anyone here have any opinions on these skimmers?

Nanook · 12/03/2007, 02:07 PM

They have awesome build quality and will work for a lifetime if taken care of....hard to beat them with regards to ease of use. I think the needlewheel and beckett people will say that the newer air induction methods are way more efficient compared to the venturi skimmers though.

Dwarf Seahorses · 12/04/2007, 08:14 AM

Thanks.

Anyone else with some opinions?

Tennsquire · 12/04/2007, 08:54 AM

I bought a used Lifereef ~8 mos. ago and was very pleased with it. They are built like tanks, and are pretty much set and forget. You'll hear people say that they're "old technology," but they do work. The downside is that you need a big pump to drive them, which can add heat to your water. They are also expensive if bought new; you might want to try to pick up a used one if you can and save some $. I ran my Lifereef on my prop system, and it skimmed quite well. I swapped it out for a euroreef after I got a new recirculating ER for my main tank.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

CruzinKim · 12/04/2007, 10:32 AM

LifeReef can't touch the performance of a good needlewheel or beckett skimmer in the same price range. If you see them performing side by side with another good skimmer, you will see the difference. Old technology, like a dinosaur.

Still haven't picked your skimmer yet, huh? I saw a thread you started on Zeo at the beginning of the year asking about skimmers for your setup.

Dwarf Seahorses · 12/04/2007, 12:04 PM

Lol not yet. My finances change very quickly so for a couple months I was planning a elos 70 and then a few months later a 125 and now a 75-90.

schneijt · 12/04/2007, 12:35 PM

I just replaced my RS80 with a Lifereef SVS2-24 (used), since I needed a larger skimmer on my system (100gal total volume sps setup with a growing fish load). The lifereef is more than 2x the cost of the RS80, and I'll agree that the technology isn't the "latest and greatest" thing out there at the moment...

HOWEVER...

I have never been as impressed with a skimmer as I've been with my Lifereef in the few weeks since I got it. It's the most "set and forget" skimmer I've had the pleasure of working with. The performance is great, and the Sicce 900gph pump mine came with adds very little heat to the water. It's not the most efficient skimmer out there, but it skims like a beast, and I love it. Plus, it's built like a tank and the ONLY thing you have to do is give the gate valve a tiny adjustment here or there if it is needed, which isn't very often.

So, as you can tell, I'm a big fan of Lifereef skimmers now that I've got one running in my sump! :-)

-Joe

DarG · 12/04/2007, 12:38 PM

I think that what Bermuda Aquatics is doing with the older Venturi technology will get you better skimming for less money if you are wanting to avoid the needlewheel and recirc skimmers.
A Bermuda 3C would work great for your size tank. I am not currently using a Bermuda but I have used the 3C in the past and it is a great skimmer (not for sale). I switched to a DAS EX-2 because I wanted to try a needlewheel recirc. I was very impressed with the 3C and was interested to see how it would stack up against the DAS. The 3C has nothing to be ashamed about. If you are interested in a Venturi skimmer, look at the 3C. Under 300 bucks plus a decent pressure rated pump in the 550 - 700 GPH range. Nothing proprietary about the skimmer to break (like specialized pumps) and they are using the old Venturi injector technology in a different way that makes it effective again relative to the newer skimmer designs that are available today. They are good skimmers, effective, reliable, well built, simple, not fussy and the smaller ones are not overly expensive.
www.bermudaaquatics.com

kdblove_99 · 12/05/2007, 07:07 PM

I have never used a Lifereef skimmer. but haqve used there overflows and they are built excellent.

If you can get one used and dont mind a non energy effiecient pump why not get one most people that own them seem to really like them old technology or not

12/03/2007, 02:05 PM	#1
Dwarf Seahorses Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 310	LifeReef Venturi Skimmers I've heard great things about lifereef skimmers and I'm considering using one for a 75-95 gallon SPS tank. (I've read that people have been using these skimmers for 9+ years without any issues and work like new.) Does anyone here have any opinions on these skimmers?

12/03/2007, 02:07 PM	#2
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	They have awesome build quality and will work for a lifetime if taken care of....hard to beat them with regards to ease of use. I think the needlewheel and beckett people will say that the newer air induction methods are way more efficient compared to the venturi skimmers though. __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

12/04/2007, 08:54 AM	#4
Tennsquire Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,399	I bought a used Lifereef ~8 mos. ago and was very pleased with it. They are built like tanks, and are pretty much set and forget. You'll hear people say that they're "old technology," but they do work. The downside is that you need a big pump to drive them, which can add heat to your water. They are also expensive if bought new; you might want to try to pick up a used one if you can and save some $. I ran my Lifereef on my prop system, and it skimmed quite well. I swapped it out for a euroreef after I got a new recirculating ER for my main tank. __________________ Nothin' left to do but smile, smile, smile.... Current Tank Info: 75 reef (2x 250 ReefOptix IIIs, AB 10k bulbs w/ 330 watt VHO, EuroReef RC135 skimmer, multicontrolled Tunze 6095's X2); 40 sps prop tank (Outer Orbit Pro 150, Euroreef CS6-1+ skimmer); 20 softie prop tank

12/04/2007, 10:32 AM	#5
CruzinKim Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: If Not There, Then Here. Posts: 693	LifeReef can't touch the performance of a good needlewheel or beckett skimmer in the same price range. If you see them performing side by side with another good skimmer, you will see the difference. Old technology, like a dinosaur. Still haven't picked your skimmer yet, huh? I saw a thread you started on Zeo at the beginning of the year asking about skimmers for your setup. Last edited by CruzinKim; 12/04/2007 at 10:37 AM.

12/04/2007, 08:14 AM	#3
Dwarf Seahorses Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 310	Thanks. Anyone else with some opinions?

12/04/2007, 12:04 PM	#6
Dwarf Seahorses Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 310	Lol not yet. My finances change very quickly so for a couple months I was planning a elos 70 and then a few months later a 125 and now a 75-90.

12/04/2007, 12:35 PM	#7
schneijt Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Des Moines, IA Posts: 497	I just replaced my RS80 with a Lifereef SVS2-24 (used), since I needed a larger skimmer on my system (100gal total volume sps setup with a growing fish load). The lifereef is more than 2x the cost of the RS80, and I'll agree that the technology isn't the "latest and greatest" thing out there at the moment... HOWEVER... I have never been as impressed with a skimmer as I've been with my Lifereef in the few weeks since I got it. It's the most "set and forget" skimmer I've had the pleasure of working with. The performance is great, and the Sicce 900gph pump mine came with adds very little heat to the water. It's not the most efficient skimmer out there, but it skims like a beast, and I love it. Plus, it's built like a tank and the ONLY thing you have to do is give the gate valve a tiny adjustment here or there if it is needed, which isn't very often. So, as you can tell, I'm a big fan of Lifereef skimmers now that I've got one running in my sump! :-) -Joe

12/04/2007, 12:38 PM	#8
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I think that what Bermuda Aquatics is doing with the older Venturi technology will get you better skimming for less money if you are wanting to avoid the needlewheel and recirc skimmers. A Bermuda 3C would work great for your size tank. I am not currently using a Bermuda but I have used the 3C in the past and it is a great skimmer (not for sale). I switched to a DAS EX-2 because I wanted to try a needlewheel recirc. I was very impressed with the 3C and was interested to see how it would stack up against the DAS. The 3C has nothing to be ashamed about. If you are interested in a Venturi skimmer, look at the 3C. Under 300 bucks plus a decent pressure rated pump in the 550 - 700 GPH range. Nothing proprietary about the skimmer to break (like specialized pumps) and they are using the old Venturi injector technology in a different way that makes it effective again relative to the newer skimmer designs that are available today. They are good skimmers, effective, reliable, well built, simple, not fussy and the smaller ones are not overly expensive. www.bermudaaquatics.com

12/05/2007, 07:07 PM	#9
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	I have never used a Lifereef skimmer. but haqve used there overflows and they are built excellent. If you can get one used and dont mind a non energy effiecient pump why not get one most people that own them seem to really like them old technology or not