Is lifereef really the best skimmer?

JMM744 · Nov 7, 2019

I found a used one here in Ohio and bought it. Came with a mag 9 pump. I set it up on my 70 mixed reef and once I got it settled in have just let it run. Very impressed with the simplicity and fact they do not become obsolete. Honestly that’s why I am buying another for my big system. It’s the last one I will buy! No more buying and then needing parts and not finding them or not being able to resell them. I have 3 skimmers I can’t sell now and a 4th once my new lifereef shows up. . If a person bought the Lifereef to begin with it certainly would save them a lot of issues down the road. One and done!!

Silent · Nov 7, 2019

I used to have the 4 foot tall VS3-48 lifereef skimmer with the Iwaki pump and their special Mazzei venturi. It was a beast but was HUGE and the pump used so much electricity. I ended up selling the whole thing for $300 locally. I don't miss it but I do miss the lifereef dual chamber calcium reactor I sold.

DS204 · Nov 7, 2019

Blitzie said:
I understand
But if its a Mazzei 1078 its like $65.00 on Amazon

I have the Mazzei intake ordered from Jeff at home in the box. I'll take a look tonight and reply back if there's any part #'s on the intake itself or the box. Cheers.

Blitzie · Nov 7, 2019

Thanks

DS204 · Nov 8, 2019

Blitzie said:
I understand
But if its a Mazzei 1078 its like $65.00 on Amazon

Combs1ng · Dec 2, 2019

I am inexperienced with protein skimmers as I have never used one before. I am currently designing a large system and want to get as much right from the get go and am researching almost every night. I have read this entire thread as I am leaning towards a LifeReefer skimmer (was seriously thinking of the Tunze 9430 as well). But I jumped on Jeff's site and love all the beneficial aspects of his skimmer, especially the ease of use, little need for adjustments, and a great system to limit pod destruction. I have seen mention of an optional "flange" and also mention of a Mazzei Venturi intake. Could someone explain the need/benefit for the flange and difference between a standard Venturi and Mazzei?

DCR · Dec 2, 2019

Combs1ng said:
I am inexperienced with protein skimmers as I have never used one before. I am currently designing a large system and want to get as much right from the get go and am researching almost every night. I have read this entire thread as I am leaning towards a LifeReefer skimmer (was seriously thinking of the Tunze 9430 as well). But I jumped on Jeff's site and love all the beneficial aspects of his skimmer, especially the ease of use, little need for adjustments, and a great system to limit pod destruction. I have seen mention of an optional "flange" and also mention of a Mazzei Venturi intake. Could someone explain the need/benefit for the flange and difference between a standard Venturi and Mazzei?

The flange provides access to the inside of the cylinder for cleaning. I think it is standard on the larger skimmers you would be looking at. The Mazzei has a true venturi design with a gradual constriction and expansion versus the standard spa device which is just a restriction orifice. It will provide better pressure recovery which in theory allows you to achieve the same air draw with less motive fluid head (or flow). How significant the improvement is debated. I think Jeff says for the shorter skimmers (24-30") it is not worth it. For the taller units I think people think it is worth the additional cost.

lavoisier · Dec 2, 2019

The flange is not optional, it is part of the design. I've had my 72" for over 5yrs on my 1100g system and love it.

User1 · Dec 2, 2019

lavoisier said:
The flange is not optional, it is part of the design. I've had my 72" for over 5yrs on my 1100g system and love it.

Maybe today

Skimmers dating back to 1999 - 2000 it was an option. Trust me - I have one going that far back and it was an option. I asked Jeff before I installed it on my upgrade if anything major changed that would warrant a new one. He said no. Checked his books as to when I bought it and sent another message to say no - it is perfectly fine.

And it is - works wonders. Glad I spent the extra back then because it saved me money in my upgrade.

Water Dog · Dec 2, 2019

Skimmers noted with the prefix SVS2 do not come flanged. Skimmers with the prefix SVS3 are flanged. With the flanged skimmers, in addition to allowing access to clean the body of the skimmer, you can also expand the capacity of the skimmer by making it taller. Jeff sells flanged expansion cylinders so your skimmer can be expanded to increase its skimming capacity.

dadnjesse · Dec 2, 2019

Combs1ng said:
I am inexperienced with protein skimmers as I have never used one before. I am currently designing a large system and want to get as much right from the get go and am researching almost every night. I have read this entire thread as I am leaning towards a LifeReefer skimmer (was seriously thinking of the Tunze 9430 as well). But I jumped on Jeff's site and love all the beneficial aspects of his skimmer, especially the ease of use, little need for adjustments, and a great system to limit pod destruction. I have seen mention of an optional "flange" and also mention of a Mazzei Venturi intake. Could someone explain the need/benefit for the flange and difference between a standard Venturi and Mazzei?

I just put the Mazzei Venturi on my SVS2-24. When I called Jeff he seamed reluctant to want to sell me one and honestly I can't tell the difference from the stock Venturi

JoshH · Dec 2, 2019

lavoisier said:
The flange is not optional, it is part of the design. I've had my 72" for over 5yrs on my 1100g system and love it.

The flange is absolutely optional on the smaller versions otherwise I'm not sure what I got cause it doesn't have a flange ;Bored (Purchased 2016) Unless you were referring specifically to the larger models to which I'm not sure

Water Dog said:
Skimmers noted with the prefix SVS2 do not come flanged. Skimmers with the prefix SVS3 are flanged. With the flanged skimmers, in addition to allowing access to clean the body of the skimmer, you can also expand the capacity of the skimmer by making it taller. Jeff sells flanged expansion cylinders so your skimmer can be expanded to increase its skimming capacity.

Best explanation right there!

lavoisier · Dec 2, 2019

saf1 said:
Maybe today

Skimmers dating back to 1999 - 2000 it was an option. Trust me - I have one going that far back and it was an option. I asked Jeff before I installed it on my upgrade if anything major changed that would warrant a new one. He said no. Checked his books as to when I bought it and sent another message to say no - it is perfectly fine.

And it is - works wonders. Glad I spent the extra back then because it saved me money in my upgrade.

Do you have a pic. Clearly, I have no idea what this optional flange is.

Never mind! I just saw the post below yours. Yes, now I know what you are talking about. I have one which I used to get my skimmer to 72".

JoshH · Dec 2, 2019

lavoisier said:
Do you have a pic. Clearly, I have no idea what this optional flange is.

Never mind! I just saw the post below yours. Yes, now I know what you are talking about. I have one which I used to get my skimmer to 72".

The optional flange is what you have, the skimmer without the flange simply has a flat acrylic plate on top so it can not be disassembled...

Oh btw I think you could still squeeze another extension on there

Chad3407 · Dec 2, 2019

lavoisier said:
Do you have a pic. Clearly, I have no idea what this optional flange is.

Never mind! I just saw the post below yours. Yes, now I know what you are talking about. I have one which I used to get my skimmer to 72".

Why is the cup drain hooked the the Venturi?

lavoisier · Dec 2, 2019

Chad3407 said:
Why is the cup drain hooked the the Venturi?

That was an old pic the day I set it up (6 yrs ago). It took a couple of hours before I realized my mistake!

Here is the current set up with a CO2 scrubber. I also recently replaced the gate valve as the old one finally failed.

User1 · Dec 2, 2019

Chad3407 said:
Why is the cup drain hooked the the Venturi?

On mine, and assuming the rest, but the hose coming out of the top of the collection cup is for two reasons.

1 - is in the event of a overflow it will go back into the sump area or intake and not flood the house.
2 - it also cleans the venturi

Jeff is not a fan of draining the collection cup into a bucket or jug or anything other than the collection cup more or less. Mine also had an option valve to open/close the collection cup drain so I would always have to remove the cup. I've since added a John Guest valve on it to connect 1/4 tubing so open/close and drain as I see fit. Now I only remove the cup maybe once or every other month.

They really are a good skimmer.

Combs1ng · Dec 3, 2019

DCR said:
The flange provides access to the inside of the cylinder for cleaning. I think it is standard on the larger skimmers you would be looking at. The Mazzei has a true venturi design with a gradual constriction and expansion versus the standard spa device which is just a restriction orifice. It will provide better pressure recovery which in theory allows you to achieve the same air draw with less motive fluid head (or flow). How significant the improvement is debated. I think Jeff says for the shorter skimmers (24-30") it is not worth it. For the taller units I think people think it is worth the additional cost.

Thank you DCR