MTC MVX Skimmer review
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jason2459
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Getting setup in new sump build out. Using the stock recommended setup and pump. I will be trying out various pumps and mazzei venturi's playing around with it.
Turned it on the evening of June 2nd and letting it break in. I was figuring it would be close to 2 weeks to break in.
Took a reading of the air draw of the mag1800 and stock venturi setup on the mtx. Its getting around 14 scfh air draw.
Ok, maybe not 2 weeks but 1 day. The water/air level rose on it's own to what seems to be it's sweet spot just at the flange.
Here it is the morning of June 3rd.
Thick foam head just starting to hit the top lip
Video from that June 3rd morning
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
2 Days later....
and I'm pretty darn impressed with what this skimmer is doing only a few days into it with the mag18. I checked the air draw again and its right about 14scfh.
Crazy what so little air draw can do with enough contact time.
Almost half gallon pulled so far since it was able to raise the foam head up the neck. I think 2 days worth now. Not bad for just breaking in.
3 days later.....
and it's like it's been on my system years
I'm also looking forward to trying out a different mazzei venturi with the mag 18 and also a waveline dc12000 pump with both mazzei injectors. I also still need to hook up the killawatt. I absolutely love I'm not stuck with any kind of configuration with this skimmer. I can manipulate the plumbing, the pump, the venturi, and heck I could even hook up a needle wheel on this if I wanted and skip the venturi. Possibilities are endless it seems.
Turned it on the evening of June 2nd and letting it break in. I was figuring it would be close to 2 weeks to break in.
Took a reading of the air draw of the mag1800 and stock venturi setup on the mtx. Its getting around 14 scfh air draw.
Ok, maybe not 2 weeks but 1 day. The water/air level rose on it's own to what seems to be it's sweet spot just at the flange.
Here it is the morning of June 3rd.
Thick foam head just starting to hit the top lip
Video from that June 3rd morning
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
2 Days later....
and I'm pretty darn impressed with what this skimmer is doing only a few days into it with the mag18. I checked the air draw again and its right about 14scfh.
Crazy what so little air draw can do with enough contact time.
Almost half gallon pulled so far since it was able to raise the foam head up the neck. I think 2 days worth now. Not bad for just breaking in.
3 days later.....
and it's like it's been on my system years
I'm also looking forward to trying out a different mazzei venturi with the mag 18 and also a waveline dc12000 pump with both mazzei injectors. I also still need to hook up the killawatt. I absolutely love I'm not stuck with any kind of configuration with this skimmer. I can manipulate the plumbing, the pump, the venturi, and heck I could even hook up a needle wheel on this if I wanted and skip the venturi. Possibilities are endless it seems.
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jason2459
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The MTC MVX has passed the LRS test. Every skimmer I've had in the past will overflow when ever I have tried LRS Reef or Fish frenzy.
I got some and thawed out a good sized chunk last night. The skimmer didn't react differently at all. It didn't overflow or flatten out its foam production.
I got some and thawed out a good sized chunk last night. The skimmer didn't react differently at all. It didn't overflow or flatten out its foam production.
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jason2459
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Just over the gallon mark this morning. It's keeping on pace of producing around 3 cups per day running pretty dry. I can't get a picture of the foam anymore as the collection cup is completely coated now. I'll take some pictures tonight and clean the collection cup out. I haven't hooked up the swabbie neck cleaner yet. To busy with other stuff to mess with it. I'm thinking now I may not add it on until the end of playing around with the different venturi's, plumbing, and pumps. Gorilla tape still covering the hole.
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jason2459
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Some cool stats
Aquamaxx Em 300
Air draw: ~38-40 scfh
Watts: rated 27watts actual: 31.38watts
Skimmate produced: ~1 cup dry/day and ~3cups wet/day
Mag18 as return pump w/ ~12' head height
Watts: rated 150watts actual: 71.18watts
Flow: rated 1500gph@0 head actual: ~750gph@12' head pressure
Mag18 with MVX stock venturi
Air draw: ~12-14 scfh
Watts: rated 150watts actual: 62.96watts
Skimmate produced: ~3 cups dry/day
It is only its first week running but its so far producing probably just over double the skimmate at slightly under double the power consumption. Also, well under half the air draw which tells me its processing more water and allowing more efficient contact time. Which is probably as mentioned above why its more stable when feeding that LRS.
This also tells me that venturi is putting more pressure on the pump then the 12' of head height it was working against as a return pump.
Thats impressive.
Everything caked in dry skimmate. Its not looking wet at all. I would say dryer then the dry skimmate I was running with the EM300
Aquamaxx Em 300
Air draw: ~38-40 scfh
Watts: rated 27watts actual: 31.38watts
Skimmate produced: ~1 cup dry/day and ~3cups wet/day
Mag18 as return pump w/ ~12' head height
Watts: rated 150watts actual: 71.18watts
Flow: rated 1500gph@0 head actual: ~750gph@12' head pressure
Mag18 with MVX stock venturi
Air draw: ~12-14 scfh
Watts: rated 150watts actual: 62.96watts
Skimmate produced: ~3 cups dry/day
It is only its first week running but its so far producing probably just over double the skimmate at slightly under double the power consumption. Also, well under half the air draw which tells me its processing more water and allowing more efficient contact time. Which is probably as mentioned above why its more stable when feeding that LRS.
This also tells me that venturi is putting more pressure on the pump then the 12' of head height it was working against as a return pump.
Thats impressive.
Everything caked in dry skimmate. Its not looking wet at all. I would say dryer then the dry skimmate I was running with the EM300
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jason2459
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I'll probably switch the mazzei at the next cleaning. I'm getting the new 784 ready now.
I noticed Jeff sealed the mazzei threads with what looks like silicon
so I did the same. I got some spears 3/4" female threaded unions as I found out unions of different brands didn't thread well with the spears union.
Used the silicon like pipe thread paste.
Now I can easily interchange them via the union connection.
I noticed Jeff sealed the mazzei threads with what looks like silicon
so I did the same. I got some spears 3/4" female threaded unions as I found out unions of different brands didn't thread well with the spears union.
Used the silicon like pipe thread paste.
Now I can easily interchange them via the union connection.
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jason2459
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I've got the plumbing ready for the waveline when that time comes. The output is 1.25" so that has to be stepped down to 3/4" at some point. The mag18 is perfect with 3/4 is its output.
I have a 1.25 to 1" reducer to go on the pump to a 1" barb. Then I got a 1" barb to 3/4" threaded female to the 3/4" pvc to the venturi.
Picture may help
I have a 1.25 to 1" reducer to go on the pump to a 1" barb. Then I got a 1" barb to 3/4" threaded female to the 3/4" pvc to the venturi.
Picture may help
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jason2459
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I love this skimmer
Tonight will be 3 days and the skimmate level in the davy jones is right at 1/2 gallon. Will check again tonight and imagine it will be slightly over that mark again producing around that 3 cups per day dry.
I also checked the killawatt and dwyer and its still averaging just over 62watts and 12-14 scfh.
I think I'll clean out the cup tonight and swap to the 784 venturi.
Tonight will be 3 days and the skimmate level in the davy jones is right at 1/2 gallon. Will check again tonight and imagine it will be slightly over that mark again producing around that 3 cups per day dry.
I also checked the killawatt and dwyer and its still averaging just over 62watts and 12-14 scfh.
I think I'll clean out the cup tonight and swap to the 784 venturi.
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jason2459
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Alright
Stock venturi with mag18
Killowatt still says just over 62 watts average
Dwyer still says a solid 12
Bounces between 10 and just touching 14
3 days since cleaning and can't see a thing through the collection cup
And just over 1/2 gallon or around 3 cups per day
And now for the 784 mazzei injector swap
I made sure to take out the ball and spring but I noticed Jeff from MTC used this little o-ring that had a bigger opening then what came with the 784 so I used the oring that came with the 684 stock venturi
684 back and 784 front with easy swap union setup
I turned the skimmer on and the collection cup started filling up. I had to open up the gate valve a bit as the 784 is the gph rating along with the model # as is 684gph.
I got excited and hooked up the Dwyer.
Kind of anti climatic. Its reading a solid 14/15. Bouncing up to 16.
So, more air draw and definitely more flow. Will let this run for another week monitoring the killawatt and the skimmate production. I imagine the watts used will go up. Will also see if the slight increase in air and water flow effects how the skimmer handles LRS fish frenzy.
Stock venturi with mag18
Killowatt still says just over 62 watts average
Dwyer still says a solid 12
Bounces between 10 and just touching 14
3 days since cleaning and can't see a thing through the collection cup
And just over 1/2 gallon or around 3 cups per day
And now for the 784 mazzei injector swap
I made sure to take out the ball and spring but I noticed Jeff from MTC used this little o-ring that had a bigger opening then what came with the 784 so I used the oring that came with the 684 stock venturi
684 back and 784 front with easy swap union setup
I turned the skimmer on and the collection cup started filling up. I had to open up the gate valve a bit as the 784 is the gph rating along with the model # as is 684gph.
I got excited and hooked up the Dwyer.
Kind of anti climatic. Its reading a solid 14/15. Bouncing up to 16.
So, more air draw and definitely more flow. Will let this run for another week monitoring the killawatt and the skimmate production. I imagine the watts used will go up. Will also see if the slight increase in air and water flow effects how the skimmer handles LRS fish frenzy.
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jason2459
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There are more microbubbles in the skimmer sump section. Bubble size in the skimmer seems the same size but whiter which would indicate the more air draw. If they were an issue I would point the inside fittings the air comes out of up more. Sump bubble trap is catching them so I don't care.
Pictures just don't seem to show it well.
Pictures just don't seem to show it well.
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jason2459
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As expected so far it's drawing more energy at around 65.7 watts. Still more head pressure then when it was running as a return in my basement sump closet but less head pressure then the 684 venturi which lines up with allowing more water flow through with the 784.
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jason2459
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Lovely dry foam
Just the couple couple extra scfh of air draw is producing a noticeable thicker amount of air in the skimmer.
If you saw the video embedded previously here's a comparison of the air filling in more of the skimmer and into the bottom of it
Just the couple couple extra scfh of air draw is producing a noticeable thicker amount of air in the skimmer.
If you saw the video embedded previously here's a comparison of the air filling in more of the skimmer and into the bottom of it
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jason2459
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For anyone more familiar with LPM or LPH vs scfh here's a conversion chart
So for comparison
A SRO 3000 I had pulled around 42 scfh or ~1189LPH
Aquamaxx EM300 ~38scfh or 1076 LPH
Mag18 w/ 684 stock mazzei 12scfh or 339LPH
Mag18 w/ 784 mazzei 14scfh or 396LPH
Quite the difference in air flow yet similar or better skimmate production.
SCFH L/min. L/hr.
1 0.472 28.326
2 0.944 56.652
3 1.416 84.978
4 1.888 113.304
5 2.361 141.630
6 2.833 169.956
7 3.305 198.282
8 3.777 226.608
9 4.249 254.934
10 4.721 283.260
11 5.193 311.586
12 5.665 339.912
13 6.137 368.238
14 6.609 396.564
15 7.082 424.890
16 7.554 453.216
17 8.026 481.542
18 8.498 509.868
19 8.970 538.194
20 9.442 566.520
21 9.914 594.846
22 10.386 623.172
23 10.858 651.498
24 11.330 679.824
25 11.803 708.150
26 12.275 736.476
27 12.747 764.802
28 13.219 793.128
29 13.691 821.454
30 14.163 849.780
31 14.635 878.106
32 15.107 906.432
33 15.579 934.758
34 16.051 963.084
35 16.524 991.410
36 16.996 1019.736
37 17.468 1048.062
38 17.940 1076.388
39 18.412 1104.714
40 18.884 1133.040
41 19.356 1161.366
42 19.828 1189.692
43 20.300 1218.018
44 20.772 1246.344
45 21.245 1274.670
46 21.717 1302.996
47 22.189 1331.322
48 22.661 1359.648
49 23.133 1387.974
50 23.605 1416.300
It still just blows my mind.
So for comparison
A SRO 3000 I had pulled around 42 scfh or ~1189LPH
Aquamaxx EM300 ~38scfh or 1076 LPH
Mag18 w/ 684 stock mazzei 12scfh or 339LPH
Mag18 w/ 784 mazzei 14scfh or 396LPH
Quite the difference in air flow yet similar or better skimmate production.
SCFH L/min. L/hr.
1 0.472 28.326
2 0.944 56.652
3 1.416 84.978
4 1.888 113.304
5 2.361 141.630
6 2.833 169.956
7 3.305 198.282
8 3.777 226.608
9 4.249 254.934
10 4.721 283.260
11 5.193 311.586
12 5.665 339.912
13 6.137 368.238
14 6.609 396.564
15 7.082 424.890
16 7.554 453.216
17 8.026 481.542
18 8.498 509.868
19 8.970 538.194
20 9.442 566.520
21 9.914 594.846
22 10.386 623.172
23 10.858 651.498
24 11.330 679.824
25 11.803 708.150
26 12.275 736.476
27 12.747 764.802
28 13.219 793.128
29 13.691 821.454
30 14.163 849.780
31 14.635 878.106
32 15.107 906.432
33 15.579 934.758
34 16.051 963.084
35 16.524 991.410
36 16.996 1019.736
37 17.468 1048.062
38 17.940 1076.388
39 18.412 1104.714
40 18.884 1133.040
41 19.356 1161.366
42 19.828 1189.692
43 20.300 1218.018
44 20.772 1246.344
45 21.245 1274.670
46 21.717 1302.996
47 22.189 1331.322
48 22.661 1359.648
49 23.133 1387.974
50 23.605 1416.300
It still just blows my mind.
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jason2459
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I just got done doing this
The waveline dc12000 is ready to go for next week.
1.25" FTP to 1" slip.
1" Spaflex pvc to a spears union. I like they are a bit more compact in size.
1" slip to 3/4" MTP
3/4" FTP/Slip elbow
Then the rest is all 3/4" setup just like the stock setup.
I found I had all the parts. (I have WAY to much "stuff" sitting on shelves collected over the years)
And this allows for 0 need for any clamps. Unions allow for easy disassembly and maintenance. That spaflex is going to keep shape a heck of a lot better too. I notice that vinyl tubing kind of narrowing in spots. I was hoping the braided kind would keep shape better.
The waveline came with two of these little washers like you have on a garden hose and it fit right in that 1 1/4" FTP side so slid it in there. Between that and the tape it should be more then good enough for in sump use.
The waveline dc12000 is ready to go for next week.
1.25" FTP to 1" slip.
1" Spaflex pvc to a spears union. I like they are a bit more compact in size.
1" slip to 3/4" MTP
3/4" FTP/Slip elbow
Then the rest is all 3/4" setup just like the stock setup.
I found I had all the parts. (I have WAY to much "stuff" sitting on shelves collected over the years)
And this allows for 0 need for any clamps. Unions allow for easy disassembly and maintenance. That spaflex is going to keep shape a heck of a lot better too. I notice that vinyl tubing kind of narrowing in spots. I was hoping the braided kind would keep shape better.
The waveline came with two of these little washers like you have on a garden hose and it fit right in that 1 1/4" FTP side so slid it in there. Between that and the tape it should be more then good enough for in sump use.
From using becketts for over 10 years I would say that you could benefit from getting a stronger pump and that should allow you to get more air in too. I find that the when the skimmer is tuned right the foam is very dense and looks almost as white as your PVC fittings. From your pics it looks a little grey which is indicative of not enough flow in the skimmer. I would also see if you can get more air, my beckett runs best at about 45 SCFH using a dwyer air meter as well.
Example of how white the foam should be. BTW that is a weeks worth of skimmate.
how dense the foam can be
Example of how white the foam should be. BTW that is a weeks worth of skimmate.
how dense the foam can be
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jason2459
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Nice skimmer. Thanks for posting. To bad Barr aquatics stopped making products. At least you can still get replacement parts it looks like.
I wasn't expecting much with the mag18 and the low air draw was what I was expecting. I wasn't expecting as much skimmate as it's produced with it however. I can say a person can be happy with the recommended setup. But I'm looking forward to getting that waveline dc12000 online next week some time. More flow and higher head pressure rating.
My understanding is that these mazzei venturi's perform best around the 20scfh range.
I wasn't expecting much with the mag18 and the low air draw was what I was expecting. I wasn't expecting as much skimmate as it's produced with it however. I can say a person can be happy with the recommended setup. But I'm looking forward to getting that waveline dc12000 online next week some time. More flow and higher head pressure rating.
My understanding is that these mazzei venturi's perform best around the 20scfh range.
Yeah all parts are standard stuff I can find anywhere.
Not knocking your skimmer at all, just pointing out some ways to get better performance if you want. MTC makes really great skimmers I have seen them in action many times. But more flow with a higher rated HP pump will make it even better. I was told a long time ago to try and get a pump that can put out around 1100 GPH with 6 feet of HP and you will be really getting the most out of the skimmer!
Not knocking your skimmer at all, just pointing out some ways to get better performance if you want. MTC makes really great skimmers I have seen them in action many times. But more flow with a higher rated HP pump will make it even better. I was told a long time ago to try and get a pump that can put out around 1100 GPH with 6 feet of HP and you will be really getting the most out of the skimmer!
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jason2459
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Absolutely no office taken at all. I believe Beckett skimmers to be some of the best there are. I was looking at Becketts from MTC, MRC, and Bashsea along with venturi driven from Life Reef and MTC. I went with the MTC mainly based on a few things like maintenance, I could test out different kinds of injectors easily and not just mazzei's if I wanted, form factor for my setup, and I liked the design over the Life Reef.
I'm looking forward to what RLSS is coming out with next for a return pump. It's a very small form factor but I haven't seen it's specs yet. The waveline dc12000 is supposed to have about 23' head pressure and more flow then the mag18 which is rated at just over 16' head.
Looking at the chart it looks like around 1700gph at around 2 meters or just over 6'. Being DC I can scale back from 100% if needed. I can also control this with the apex for more granular control then the basic controller it comes with.
