Mrc-1 skimmer mod to recirculating skimmer

[Schwaz]

I picked up this mrc-1(?) skimmer for a decent price off the internet. My sump isn't set up for an external pump, so i tried running it with an internal dc pump. It was ok, but was hardly pulling any skimate. So i got this idea. As far as i could tell no-one else had tried this before. I drilled the side and installed a bulkhead. I plumbed a little giant 3mdq from that bulkhead to the beckett riser. Since it already had a bulkhead for if you wanted to install a second beckett, i installed a barbed hose fitting there. Then i connected the supply pump to this fitting. This allows me to set the water level inside the skimmer without bubbles being produced. Once i have the desired water level I turn on the little giant pump, and I've got bubbles! So far my skimate production has about doubled and is darker. So I'm here to say, it can be done.

 

[Engloid]

I bet it would do even more with a good bubble wheel pump. I have an mrc-3 on a setup of mine. It's about 3 feet tall and does ok, but it seems that I have to clean it really often or keep adjusting it, or it will stop producing skimmate.

 

[Schwaz]

I bet it would do even more with a good bubble wheel pump. I have an mrc-3 on a setup of mine. It's about 3 feet tall and does ok, but it seems that I have to clean it really often or keep adjusting it, or it will stop producing skimmate.

I wound love to hook a needle wheel pump up to it. I just didn't want to spend the extra money on something that i didn't know if it would work or not. I kept searching if anyone had done a mod like this and how it performed, but i couldn't find any info on it. So i decided to use something i already had

 

[Engloid]

I don't blame you there. Personally, I think I'm going to wind up selling this skimmer I have and getting another Reef Octopus.

 

[Engloid]

Well, I took apart my MRC skimmer to clean it out. It often gets salt creep in the air inlet valve, or on the beckett. While I had it apart, I wanted to fix a couple leaks. I modified the plumbing inside the box a little bit so that it comes up into skimmer body just a little bit. I put an elbow on it so that it swirls the water instead of directing it straight up. I figured it would help keep from getting so many bubbles out the gate valve, and maybe give more time for the bubbles to be in the water. So far, it seems to be helping.

 

[Engloid]

Since I made the above change, I am noticing the skimmer is much more consistent. I basically set it and leave it.

 

[Schwaz]

Since I made the above change, I am noticing the skimmer is much more consistent. I basically set it and leave it.

Really? I have been throwing around kinda the same idea. I've been worried about the bubbles not having enough dwell time. But you have had success with it?

 

[Engloid]

I think the swirling has actually helped it get more dwell time. Many skimmers have a swirling motion.

 

[Rjramos]

I run an MRC- M1 skimmer as the manufacturer recommends. I wouldn't modify it cause I like the way it performs. The Beckett does need an occasional cleaning, but otherwise a very good skimmer! I was wondering, why didn't you just change the submersible DC pump for a more powerful AC submersible that would match up to the skimmers requirements?[emoji848]

 

[Schwaz]

I run an MRC- M1 skimmer as the manufacturer recommends. I wouldn't modify it cause I like the way it performs. The Beckett does need an occasional cleaning, but otherwise a very good skimmer! I was wondering, why didn't you just change the submersible DC pump for a more powerful AC submersible that would match up to the skimmers requirements?[emoji848]

I had a hard time finding a quality submersible pump that would meet the specifications. All the ones i could find were either external or so expensive that i might as well buy a whole new skimmer.

 

[Engloid]

I'm running a mag24 on mine. It works pretty good now, but the pump is a power hog.

 

[Schwaz]

I'm running a mag24 on mine. It works pretty good now, but the pump is a power hog.

I don't remember my reason for not using a mag 24. I had read that others used them with good results. It may have been the power consumption

 

[Fritzhamer]

Power = heat especially with mag pumps. In my water mixing station my mag 9 is both the mixer and the heater. Seriously, not being funny.

 

[Rjramos]

Well the recommended submersible for that skimmer is a mag 12. 1200gph. About $150. If it's connected to the sump and not in recirculating mode as it is now it should exchange water well with the sump and not cause water heating issues. But if that modification is working, go with it![emoji108][emoji4]

 

[Schwaz]

Well the recommended submersible for that skimmer is a mag 12. 1200gph. About $150. If it's connected to the sump and not in recirculating mode as it is now it should exchange water well with the sump and not cause water heating issues. But if that modification is working, go with it![emoji108][emoji4]

I'm sorry, i see the confusion. I have an mr-2. The recommended pump is a bl-55hd, which is an external pump, and doesn't have many internal pumps that can match it. Sorry, that's my fault.