Light Commercial Skimmer Advice Requested

[sevenstacks]

I have a 1000 gallon heavy bio-load system with mechanical room and no height restrictions.

I would like to say no budget restrictions, but going under the assumption, “You can’t spend yourself rich,” I prefer a good deal and value over blindly spending money. Even though Red Dragon pumps and sugar plums dance in my head, at the end of the day, Sicce pumps always seem to meet my needs.

I suppose for this request to get some traction, an actual budget of $2000-4000k is a good operational budget (including potential preowned purchase options).

I’m currently running a really old modified (by me) 4’ tall Bubble Magus skimmer utilizing a Sicce Adv 7.0 or 10.0 (I’ll have to check). It pumps water down through a pointed object with air intake (pre needle wheel technology).

I’m considering:

Reef Octopus SRO-8000EXT Light Commercial Protein Skimmer​

This is a $2500 skimmer (excluding recirculating pump).

What is a better skimmer for the money?

Thanks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a 1000 gallon heavy bio-load system with mechanical room and no height restrictions.

I would like to say no budget restrictions, but going under the assumption, “You can’t spend yourself rich,” I prefer a good deal and value over blindly spending money. Even though Red Dragon pumps and sugar plums dance in my head, at the end of the day, Sicce pumps always seem to meet my needs.

I suppose for this request to get some traction, an actual budget of $2000-4000k is a good operational budget (including potential preowned purchase options).

I’m currently running a really old modified (by me) 4’ tall Bubble Magus skimmer utilizing a Sicce Adv 7.0 or 10.0 (I’ll have to check). It pumps water down through a pointed object with air intake (pre needle wheel technology).

I’m considering:

Reef Octopus SRO-8000EXT Light Commercial Protein Skimmer​

This is a $2500 skimmer (excluding recirculating pump).

What is a better skimmer for the money?

Thanks!

Look at Deltec line

 

[biecacka]

Life reef from what I hear.


corey

 

[sevenstacks]

Life reef from what I hear.


corey

I’ve never heard of Lifereef, but just looked them up. I thought needle-wheel was the latest and best technology, but they disagree.

I’ve been in this hobby for 40 years, but due to work and travel, I’ve missed the last 5 years or so of progression. I was hoping those here (who know better from true field experience) could share their insights.

According to Lifereef, apparently needle-wheel tech is total nonsense (I didn’t see that one coming as that is the direction I thought I should be heading):

Protein Skimmer Commentary

“venturi skimmers are more efficient than needle-wheel types, require very little maintenance, and can use any pump you want..” “NEEDLE-WHEEL (NW) sell a lot of skimmers, it's what they are designed to do. They ARE NOT designed for efficiency, in fact they are at the very begging of efficiency..”

Is this the consensus?

 

[hoffmeyerz]

I use a Lifereef skimmer but not on a commercial setup, just my own personal 75gal. I can say though that the the tech and construction is sound. The venturi system is great because it's simple, no moving parts to break, and can be used with any pump. I can see where it would make perfect sense for a large commercial system as far as longevity and maintenance. Jeff does custom builds so I'm sure he can spec out exactly what you need.
Good luck!

 

[sevenstacks]

I use a Lifereef skimmer but not on a commercial setup, just my own personal 75gal. I can say though that the the tech and construction is sound. The venturi system is great because it's simple, no moving parts to break, and can be used with any pump. I can see where it would make perfect sense for a large commercial system as far as longevity and maintenance. Jeff does custom builds so I'm sure he can spec out exactly what you need.
Good luck!

What’s really wild is that they are apparently based out of Morrison Colorado and I’m their neighbor in Castle Rock. I was even closer in Roxborough Park for 6 years and still never heard of them. Granted, that was when I was on a 10 year hiatus from this hobby. Instead, I was more so focused on astronomy and building an observatory down south.

 

[piranhaman00]

I just shut down my life reef, loud and hard to dial in, doesn’t produce like my reef octopus

 

[sevenstacks]

I just shut down my life reef, loud and hard to dial in, doesn’t produce like my reef octopus

Between the gate valve and the (ever-clogging) venturi on my old school 4’ tall Bubble Magus, it seems like I am playing a constant tug-of-war. I have a separate mechanical room, so noise isn’t an issue. When dropping $1500-3000 on a skimmer (especially after being out of the loop for a bit) I really appreciate evidence based opinions.

 

[ThaBeast]

I've got a 6 ft lifereef on a rock tank, it was left over from my 400g reef. It's a solid piece of equipment. I have a 30" lifereef for my new 185 which isnt here yet. My experience with the 6ft lifereef is it is pretty much a set and forget skimmer. a popular forum member on here D2Mini has run a smaller lifereef for years and been happy with it.

 

[ThaBeast]

Meant to address your 'ever clogging' venturi, LifeReef has a recirculating connection on the cup that pulls enough moisture from the cup you dont have clogging issues with their venturis

 

[KrisReef]

Between the gate valve and the (ever-clogging) venturi on my old school 4’ tall Bubble Magus, it seems like I am playing a constant tug-of-war. I have a separate mechanical room, so noise isn’t an issue. When dropping $1500-3000 on a skimmer (especially after being out of the loop for a bit) I really appreciate evidence based opinions.

I bought a used SRO 2000 external probably 10 years ago, after using venturi skimmers that stopped working because the airways always filled up with salt spray?

I replaced the Bubble Blaster pump after 7 years of use and neglected maintenance, it just kept skimming and I let it be. I don’t know how old it was when I bought it but it wasn’t new. The replacement is also ignored and has not missed a beat, most reliable piece of saltwater reef equipment I own.

I was glad you were thinking of one of there skimmers, I think you should be very happy with the performance.

I think my skimmer is quite but I don’t hear that well… hth.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Had several skimmers including RO and even Bubble King. Got a Life Reef a few years ago and haven't looked back. Pretty much set and forget. As an added benefit, Jeff will work with you to customize it to fit your needs plus has replacement parts for all of his stuff. Recommend you give him a call and he will gladly discuss it with you.

 

[sevenstacks]

Meant to address your 'ever clogging' venturi, LifeReef has a recirculating connection on the cup that pulls enough moisture from the cup you dont have clogging issues with their venturis

I read that on their website; now that’s an upgrade.

 

[sevenstacks]

After a really nice conversation with Jeff at Lifereef this evening, I have a VS3 72” Skimmer coming my way in the near future. Thanks for the recommendation. The fact that I live down the road from Lifereef was a pleasant surprise.

 

[piranhaman00]

After a really nice conversation with Jeff at Lifereef this evening, I have a VS3 72” Skimmer coming my way in the near future. Thanks for the recommendation. The fact that I live down the road from Lifereef was a pleasant surprise.

How many pumps? What pumps?

 

[sevenstacks]

How many pumps? What pumps?

No pump included by choice. I have a Sicce Adv 10.0 in a bucket somewhere that is first up to bat. The specs (price, gph and head ft) on that pump for the watts it consumes are pretty impressive; at least to me anyhow.

 

[piranhaman00]

No pump included by choice. I have a Sicce Adv 10.0 in a bucket somewhere that is first up to bat. The specs (price, gph and head ft) on that pump for the watts it consumes are pretty impressive; at least to me anyhow.

Yes but to power a 72” Venturi skimmer probably not, lots of back pressure. Mazzei injector? I have seen these skimmers with multiple pumps which looks interesting.

 

[CoralB]

No pump included by choice. I have a Sicce Adv 10.0 in a bucket somewhere that is first up to bat. The specs (price, gph and head ft) on that pump for the watts it consumes are pretty impressive; at least to me anyhow.

Is it a DC pump ?? . Personally I’ve used many skimmers in the past and the Reef Octo regal skimmer was the best I’ve used . Mine has a auto shut off when cup is full . Whether or not u buy a reef octo or any other brand in my opinion the dc pump makes a huge difference . Good luck !!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a 1000 gallon heavy bio-load system with mechanical room and no height restrictions.

I would like to say no budget restrictions, but going under the assumption, “You can’t spend yourself rich,” I prefer a good deal and value over blindly spending money. Even though Red Dragon pumps and sugar plums dance in my head, at the end of the day, Sicce pumps always seem to meet my needs.

I suppose for this request to get some traction, an actual budget of $2000-4000k is a good operational budget (including potential preowned purchase options).

I’m currently running a really old modified (by me) 4’ tall Bubble Magus skimmer utilizing a Sicce Adv 7.0 or 10.0 (I’ll have to check). It pumps water down through a pointed object with air intake (pre needle wheel technology).

I’m considering:

Reef Octopus SRO-8000EXT Light Commercial Protein Skimmer​

This is a $2500 skimmer (excluding recirculating pump).

What is a better skimmer for the money?

Thanks!

I have what you need- I have it in storage and cant remember the dog gone name

 

[sevenstacks]

Yes but to power a 72” Venturi skimmer probably not, lots of back pressure. Mazzei injector? I have seen these skimmers with multiple pumps which looks interesting.

You probably know more than I do about skimmers and pumps, so I appreciate your advice. Yes the 72” comes standard with the Mazzei injector.

Interestingly enough, the guy who builds these skimmers, sells the 72” with this pump:

Blueline 40HD-X Specifications:
- Inlet: 1" MPT
- Outlet: 1" MPT
- Max Total Head (FT): 13
- Max Discharge (GPH) @ 0ft: 1,270
- Input (W): 130
- Length(in): 10.5
- Width(in): 4
- Height(in): 5.5

The pump I plan to use has the following specifications:

Syncra ADV 10.0 Water Pump (2700 GPH)​

• Input: 3/4" or 1" Barb or PVC
• Output: 3/4" or 1" Barb or PVC
• Max Flow: 2700 GPH
• Max Head: 23 FT
• Wattage: 90W
• Voltage: 120VAC

The Lifereef website also states:
Pump size minimum 1100 gph
Larger pumps can be used for increased performance

Which to me, the pump I plan to start with seems better than the pump that is sold with this skimmer on every conceivable level including gph, max head, and lower wattage.

I guess I’ll see soon enough. Thanks again for responding.