Converting a Pass-Through Skimmer to a Recirculator

ca1ore · Apr 12, 2019

I think I'm going to put this on a 10" stand. The way it drains, I cannot get the water level inside low enough to be able to run the mazzei wide open. I think if I raise it up I can open them up a bit more.

ca1ore · Apr 18, 2019

Put it onto a stand. Still cannot open the injectors the whole way, but better. Combination of pan world 200 pump and dual 1” maxzei draws in crazy amounts of air. Blue tape marks water level on skimmer prior to injecting any air.

Water Dog · Apr 18, 2019

Glorious indeed!

chicago · Apr 19, 2019

the water level is the blue tape? that is all foam above the blue tape then.. if so wow.. that is crazy . I'm going to have to change mine out to some Mazzie injectors.
Anyone know where the source for those unions MTC uses.. I will have to read the small print on them..

Also.. could you explain what is hooked up to the intake on the Mazzie?

ca1ore · Apr 19, 2019

Yes all water/foam mixture above the blue tape LOL. MTC used 497/498 series spears unions. Spears changed styles at some point, so for some older skimmers they don’t always fit. Though for the rebuild of this skimmer I replaced all the bulkheads and attendant plumbing because most of it was either stained, crusty or dried out. I used smaller unions on the air intakes on the mazzei and then just connected them to a gate valve and silicone hose that runs down to the skimmate container. Pulling humid air is a lifereef tweak to prevent salt clogs in the injectors. I also have valves after each mazzei . Closing them backflushes the injectors.

NeverlosT · Apr 19, 2019

This thread is AWESOME!

I in no way need a skimmer that size and now I reaaaaaly want one.

Great work on the fabrication and assembly. I hear you on needing projects too. When my tank is "done" I get all antsy.

chicago · Apr 24, 2019

ok the spears 497 arrived.. but they are slip.. if they were threaded it would be a perfect retor fit. does spear make a threaded 497 .. I have searched and cannot find.. in otherwords i would combine a spears threaded and slip... thanks... if that is not around... then i will make some modifications with 4 adapters..

I think the threaded are 498-010 ...

ca1ore · Apr 24, 2019

chicago said:
ok the spears 497 arrived.. but they are slip.. if they were threaded it would be a perfect retor fit. does spear make a threaded 497 .. I have searched and cannot find.. in otherwords i would combine a spears threaded and slip... thanks... if that is not around... then i will make some modifications with 4 adapters..

I think the threaded are 498-010 ...

Yes, 498-010 is the threaded version; 497-010 slip (both 1", thus the 010 designation). I've ordered these a few times off amazon and didn't always get the exact same thing. On one occasion I got the older style (which was good actually), but mostly it's the new, small diameter style.

chicago · Apr 24, 2019

yep... my exact issue.. interestingly.. i ordered off amazon this morning.. and the pics for the 1" show three pics which one of them is the old style. I am thinking it will be a nice retro and excited to see if the mazzei style work better than the becket all things equal with pump ect.

ca1ore · Apr 24, 2019

FWIW, I'm very pleased with the mazzei instead of beckett. I have the beckett assembly available but may not swap it in if the mazzei works well.

chicago · Apr 27, 2019

Threaded spears arrived.. 498-010 .. FYI.. replaced beckets with Mazzei... (knock offs I assume) from amazon.. working great.. more foam with the Mazzei. however, less flow through the unit.. but I must say the skimmate is more and I see this working much better than with the Beckets..

ca1ore · Aug 12, 2019

I continue to be very happy with the modifications on this skimmer. Mazzei worked so well I never have bothered to try the Beckett assembly.

chicago · Aug 12, 2019

loving my MTC skimmer with modified Mazzei I ordered from amazon.. wow.. unreal now with a small DC pump even.. No longer need the Iwaki rlt 100 ...

ca1ore · Aug 13, 2019

That’s an excellent point. I’m running the panworld 200 on mine, but have the air draw on the mazzei way down. Maybe I should swap in the the panworld 150, open up the mazzei, and save myself 100 watts.

ca1ore · Apr 16, 2020

Haven’t updated this in a while .....

I have continued to just use the dual mazzei Venturi assembly but did swap in the panworld 150 for the 200. Had to raise the water level in the skimmer, but skimmate production has not suffered. Neck swabbie allows me to go a few months between head/neck removal for cleaning, though it’s probably time for that glorious task.

chicago · Apr 18, 2020

Best thing I ever did in past year or so was find this thread and replace my beckets with Mazzi..... wow.. my skimmer now rocks.. crazy...

ca1ore · Feb 13, 2021

I’m almost incapable of resisting buying up old MTC equipment. Now the ‘proud’ owner of yet another HSA3000. Cost me a lot less than buying just the raw acrylic. Now I have a spare LOL. Will probably amuse myself by restoring it and converting the beckets to mazzei. No vaccine yet for papa, so what else do I have to keep me occupied LOL.