The Life Reef Skimmer Club

[cvrle1]

Originally Posted by chiefifd

I recently took my LifeReef skimmer apart for a good cleaning. My screw was rusted badly, I couldn't get the screw out with a screwdriver.

I took my Dremel tool out and cut what was left of the screw head. The valve handle came right off, you really don't need the screw to secure the valve handle. But I'm sure you can find a stainless steel screw at the hardware store for 25 cents, no need to buy a new valve.

I'm just going with out the screw.

Hope this helps, I'll atach a few photos I took when I cleaned it up. I also used citric acid to clean it, citric acid worked better for me than vinegar.

Take all..

Interesting idea I clearly didnt think of. Will give that a shot. Worse that can happen is I somehow mess it up and still need a new valve. Thanks for the tip.

Edit: Was able to unscrew the old screw with pliers. Came out in 5 seconds, so there wasnt need to cut it down with dremmel. Thanks again, saved me some time and $

[chiefifd]

Hey, no problem brother. That's what this place is all about.

Good luck, when I cut the screw head off there was some burning of the plastic handle. I took another bit and cleaned up the top of the handle. Not perfect but its clean.

I tried the plier method too, my screw was too far gone to grab it.

[Stickboy97]

Originally Posted by LQT

It’s just threaded cap that serves as an access port for cleaning should you ever get debris sucked up from the pump through the venturi and clog it, though I’ve never had a need to use it.

Thx. So I've got this same skimmer and I keep having trouble getting the skimmate dialed in. I want it to run a little dryer, but no matter what it wont. Was watching the video on BRS the other day about adjusting the air in the skimmer to get wet vs dry skimmate.

How can we adjust the air in these? I was hoping that was what that knob/dial was for.

[chiefifd]

Maybe you have the skimmer sitting too deep in the sump? If I remember somewhere it should be sitting in 9 inches of water.

No air adjustment that I know of, you could put a small valve on the air intake tube. I've never heard of that, but I'm far from an expert.

[LQT]

Good advice above about the water level that the skimmer sits in. Also, when I want drier skim, I just turn the gate valve knob slightly counter clockwise to drop the water/bubble line in the skimmer body. There is no air adjustment with these skimmers.

[Member No. 1]

Originally Posted by chiefifd

Snip--->
Hope this helps, I'll attach a few photos I took when I cleaned it up. I also used citric acid to clean it, citric acid worked better for me than vinegar.

Take all..

If you please, what was the ratio of citric acid to water you uses, thanks.

[crs751]

I've seen 1 cup citric acid to 1 gallon of water. But i just put in what i think will do the job. I don't think you can overdo it.

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[Member No. 1]

Thanks for the info.

[Vinny Kreyling]

They say you can cause a burn on skin if too potent.
1-1 was OK for me.

[chiefifd]

Bulk Reef Supply Citric Acid brand instructions are 3/4 cup to 1 gallon of water. That seemed plenty strong, if you have a small cut on your hands you'll feel the burn. But no more sting than vinegar.

[Member No. 1]

Originally Posted by chiefifd

Bulk Reef Supply Citric Acid brand instructions are 3/4 cup to 1 gallon of water. That seemed plenty strong, if you have a small cut on your hands you'll feel the burn. But no more sting than vinegar.

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

They say you can cause a burn on skin if too potent.
1-1 was OK for me.

Thanks for the info. I purchased 10lbs off Amazon. Need to clean my skimmer and the COR20 driving it. I'll try the 3/4 cup/gal, if that works great, if not I'll bump it it to 1 cup/gal.

[crs751]

Don’t know about cuts, but if you put your hand in the water I never felt anything. I think it is pretty safe to use IMO.


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[chiefifd]

Agreed, I prefer citric acid over vinegar for cleaning. No issues with skin burns, I've had my hands in the solution for quite some time with no ill effects.

Guess we're getting off topic here, but usefull information none the less.

Take care all

[sergifed91]

I got the lifereef berlin refugium. I noticed that since I have had it. the where I have the water going from the tank to the sump that the pvc is always coming off. has anyone else had this problem? I though about removing it completely and just let the water flow directly in with out a pvc. or adding a oring around the pvc and see if that will keep it in place and not fall out.

[watdachuck]

Are you referring the PVC pipe that is cemented in the sump that is falling off?

That would be surprising but it could be easily reattached.

[galoot]

Hello All,

I'm looking at a SVS3-30 IN-SUMP for my 260g fish heavy setup.
Thinking Sicce Syncra ADV 9.0 for the pump
Skimmer will be sitting in 13" of water

I'm sick of dealing with my SRO XP-5000
Any thoughts on this setup? Would you do something different?

TIA

[watdachuck]

Thats plenty of skimmer and plenty of flow with the Sicce 9.

My only question would be is 13" of water too high. I don't think it will be but might want to ask Jeff just to be sure.

[Member No. 1]

Originally Posted by galoot

SNIP--->

I'm sick of dealing with my SRO XP-5000
Any thoughts on this setup? Would you do something different?

TIA

The only thing you'll be asking is, "Why didn't I do this sooner"!

It's the set & forget skimmer.

[galoot]

Originally Posted by watdachuck

Thats plenty of skimmer and plenty of flow with the Sicce 9.



My only question would be is 13" of water too high. I don't think it will be but might want to ask Jeff just to be sure.

On his site, it states any depth, up to 16".

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[LQT]

I think with the extra 6” on the SVS-30 you’ll be fine running at 13”. With the SVS-24 the maximum water depth is about 10”.

[sergifed91]

I had to break down and hook up a co2 scrubber to my skimmer. I noticed the minute I turned it on it was working. I did forget to cover the hole in the top of the skimmer lid before I did it and realized it this morning. I was getting great results until I looked at it this morning. Plus my media is over 6 months old. I thought I had it properly sealed but I realized I might not of had it sealed completely. could the old media be the factor for the fact I'm not getting the results any more?

[watdachuck]

Your media is most definitely exhausted already. It doesn't last very long but recirculating air through it will almost double the time frame. I run a duo Jumbo scrubber from BRS and get 2-3 weeks out of the media before it is exhausted. This is when recirculating. When I am not it last a little over a week before PH noticeably falls again.

[sergifed91]

Originally Posted by watdachuck

Your media is most definitely exhausted already. It doesn't last very long but recirculating air through it will almost double the time frame. I run a duo Jumbo scrubber from BRS and get 2-3 weeks out of the media before it is exhausted. This is when recirculating. When I am not it last a little over a week before PH noticeably falls again.

I reached out to jeff. he advised me to try not adding water to the co2 scrubber and new media. saw no results for hours. so tried to add just a little bit of water. it seems to be working now. it is moving off of 7.94 ppm for ph almost at 8.0 ppm. I don't expect 8.2 or 8.3 for ph. I just prefer to be in a little bit more comfortable area like 8.0 to 8.1 ppm for ph. it gives me a little more room if it drops a little for some reason. I will be running a 1/2 in air line to the outside. hope that will be big enough. might go with a 1 inch diameter airline and see if I get good results or not.
I think I had to much water in the scrubber to begin with and saw no results at all. it just kept it stable at 7.94 for 12 hours and then up to 7.95. new media and just a hair of water at the bottom and seeing some results. almost to 8.0 ppm for ph.

[galoot]

Originally Posted by LQT

I think with the extra 6” on the SVS-30 you’ll be fine running at 13”. With the SVS-24 the maximum water depth is about 10”.

I do have room to raise it a bit on a stand. I could probably squeeze in a 36" skimmer if I wanted to.

What do you think the optimal water height is to run a 30"?

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[LQT]

Sorry, I couldn’t tell ya... I’ve only ever run the 24s.