Lifereef SVS2-24 in-sump or MTC MVX-26

shakinghorizons · Jul 14, 2016

I am in the process of setting up a 60g rimless and am stuck between these two skimmers. I can hardly find a complaint between either of them, which makes it even more difficult! Eventually I will be setting up a larger aquarium (500g+) so I figured I would spend a little more money now to save money in the future.

Lifereef
PRO:
Approximately 20 minutes from my house (no shipping/very close tech support/easy to reach on phone or email)
Buy once and you can expand the height for larger aquariums down the road
Uses readily available pumps (mag and blueline)

MTC
PRO:
Buy once and you can expand the height for larger aquariums down the road
Uses readily available pumps (mag and blueline)

CON:
Have to have the unit shipped
Customer Service (called a couple times with no answer, took approximately 1 week to receive an email response)

I can't think of any CON's for Lifereef - but I would love to hear user feedback on the two!

d2mini · Jul 14, 2016

I don't have experience with the MTC but hear good things.
I love my LifeReef. I had the 30" on my previous tank and now the 24" on my current tank.
One other PRO for the lifereef is the hole in the collection cup that vents humid air into the venturi, preventing salt buildup, making it pretty much maintenance free.
I think you could do the same with the MTC if you wanted. It would just be DIY.
LifeReef's support is great. Jeff usually emails me back within the hour.

Oh, and I would also suggest you get the larger collection cup. I bought my 24" used and it has the standard cup and I have to empty the thing twice per day. lol
Had the big cup on my 3o" and preferred that.
Also get the quick disconnects.

Waboss · Jul 14, 2016

Well, I have no feedback on MTC, but I have a Lifereef SVS3-24 on my Reefer170, which is overkill, but I wanted a skimmer that didn't stink up the place and was easy to maintain. This one fit the bill. I've been running it for a little over a year now and I have no complaints. Jeff is pretty quick to respond and didn't even mind that I bought mine from another forum member and not from him directly. He still provided all the information I asked for and offered advice just like I had bought it from him.

I'm not going to say it's the best (I haven't tried every skimmer out there), but for me, it's the best I've used (for reference, I've used Skimz, SCA, Bubble Magus, and GEO.....the GEO beckett skimmer was a pretty close second though, but that was on a much bigger tank)

cvportagee · Jul 14, 2016

I have no experience with the MTC, but I do have a LifeReef which I love. I have the 24" on my current tank which is a 120 gal. Simply put it is the best skimmer I have used.

shakinghorizons · Jul 14, 2016

Thank you to everyone that responded. I think I have decided on Lifereef simply for their proximity to me.

Those that do have the Lifereef - what is the footprint in your sump? Is 10.5 x 10.5 realistic?

Waboss · Jul 14, 2016

Yep, you can get it to fit in that footprint. I'll measure mine when I get home from work, but I've got it about as "tight" as I can.

d2mini · Jul 14, 2016

I've to check again, but I think with the gate valve and a mag pump you are looking at more like 12" one direction.

shakinghorizons · Jul 14, 2016

Thanks guys!

jason2459 · Jul 14, 2016

We're talking already in my mtc mvx review thread but wanted to make a comment on the one con above about contacting Jeff at MTC. Yes, he's getting harder to get a hold of and need to call multiple times letting it ring a lot. Email is also not the best method either. He had some major health issues end of last year and beginning of this year and is starting to get caught up with orders. He also makes everything to order so doesn't keep anything stocked up like Jeff at lifereef does so will take a bit longer to get the product.

But it is one heck of a great product and very happy I went this route.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/mtc-mvx-skimmer-review.252436/

Jeff at MTC also makes a freaking monster with an external dual mazzei venturi driven skimmer custom to what ever height you want generally starting at 48" on up. I've seen many 72" plus ones around.

jason2459 · Jul 14, 2016

Just can't go wrong with either of these options and I just noticed you are looking to go up to 500 gallons at some point. Nice thing with both of these is you can get extensions for them and get a bigger pump. Or sell it and get one of those dual venturi's I just mentioned. They are a thing of beauty.

shakinghorizons · Jul 14, 2016

Thanks Jason for jumping in this thread (I will quit derailing yours!).

I am in no hurry for the product - I won't even be moved in to my new house until November, so it will be at least December when the tank is set up.

I received an email from Jeff at MTC today stating "Due to an illness in the family it is hard to reach me on the phone" - just in case anyone is trying to get in touch with him.

As much as your thread has convinced me that MTC is a viable contender, I will be giving my business to Lifereef.

jason2459 · Jul 14, 2016

No problem on the derail and appreciate any comments or questions in there. Better then talking to a wall.

Blitzie · Jul 14, 2016

I have never used a MTC so I can't say either way but I do have a Lifereef and its nothing but great. There is no tweaking, adjust or any other tinkering it just runs and produces.

PS he makes a nice Calcium Reactor also.

Waboss · Jul 14, 2016

Ok, just measured. The footprint for mine is 7"x 9" excluding the gate valve out put. My output hangs over to the next section of my sump and outputs to the refugium part. If you went to just past the end of the valve, it'd be 9" x 11".

Oh, and I'd recommend getting the SVS3 version so you have the flanges to take the main chamber apart for cleaning. It also allows you to extend the chamber by only adding a sleeve to it.

shakinghorizons · Jul 15, 2016

Waboss said:
Ok, just measured. The footprint for mine is 7"x 9" excluding the gate valve out put. My output hangs over to the next section of my sump and outputs to the refugium part. If you went to just past the end of the valve, it'd be 9" x 11".

Oh, and I'd recommend getting the SVS3 version so you have the flanges to take the main chamber apart for cleaning. It also allows you to extend the chamber by only adding a sleeve to it.

Thank you sir! I decided against modifying a glass tank with baffles and go all out acrylic to maximize my sump/fuge area.