Lifereef VS3-48 plumbing

[foxt]

I'm in the process of a 240G build, and am planning on using a Lifereef VS3-48 that I picked up locally. I am planning on using this in-sump; am going to use an old 180G tank I have on hand for the sump. I need to assign floorspace in the sump to the skimmer section, and am working out the plumbing. If anyone has any pictures of this specific setup to give me some ideas, I would appreciate it! Here's a picture of the skimmer, for reference ...

 

[IronVulture]

 

[foxt]

Thanks for those pictures!

Is this what a countercurrent setup looks like with this skimmer? Are you able to report any comparison to the performance as you have it now vs. perhaps a normal config? I was thinking that I would plumb mine for a normal config to start with and see how it does, not sure it is worth the additional pump/plumbing ...

 

[IronVulture]

This would be the standard configuration.

 

[IronVulture]

The standard configuration will absolutely work however the recirculating configuration will give you far more control with much better results because you can oversize the recirculating pump. The feed pump could be any small pump 200-400gph or add a Tee in your return with a valve to adjust flow.

 

[foxt]

Jeff at Lifereef specs a min of 1100gph for this skimmer, but I believe that is for the standard config. Do you know at what approx flow rate you are running the recirculation pump?

 

[IronVulture]

The pump I'm using is a vectra L1 it is rated for 3100 gph I'm sure it doesn't really push that much.

 

[foxt]

Thanks - you are running the L1 at full speed?

 

[IronVulture]

Yes I will try to post a short video

 

[IronVulture]

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[IronVulture]

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[foxt]

Thanks for posting the video. What is the intent of having the venturi air supply fed by the top of the skimmer cup - is that just for overflow protection, or is there something else going on there?

 

[IronVulture]

According to Jeff it is for overflow protection and sound reduction and self cleans the Venturi