Got LifeReef ??? Show us your LifeReef Sumps, Skimmers, and Anything else you may have by LifeReef.

[markstubb]

Understood. The drain valve will remain as it is with no changes then
I was also planning for the Avast waste collector and swapiee but I saw one post here with custom waste collector from LR. Two inlets for that collector, one to drain the waste from skimmer and 2nd to release air from collector to skimmer. So this can replace the awesome Avast waste collector. I would need the swapiee though but I need to solve the height issue in my cabinet. I will check with Jeff if shortening the skimmer two inches would affect the skimmer performance or not

My Swabbie sits 74.5mm above the top of the skimmer lid (aka the maximum height of the skimmer). I just measured it for you. Jeff's stuff is really awesome, but as far as a waste collector, even if you have Jeff make it, I'd still recommend you use an avast pressure sensor rather than optical sensors. While I have about 8 optical sensors currently in use, I have learned one immutable fact - they are not reliable long term. They fail in mysterious ways and are just not reliable. The idea of them is wonderful, but they still require maintenance, and much more frequent replacement than normal float switches. The avast pressure switches, on the other hand, I run two of them (one for sump level and one for the waste collector) for *critical* water levels. They're not as accurate as normal floats, but they are ridiculously reliable. They're also very well suited for the literal crap you'll run into with a waste collector. There's absolutely no way I'd put optical sensors in a waste collector. Normal floats would probably just clog up way too quickly.

Regarding your issue with outside air, having air pump like the ones that comes with the sand vacuum gravel cleaner pump with inlet and output, would that solve your issue?

I've seen these before, but I tried to breathe through the pipe going outside and didn't feel much resistance. I just think that due to simple logistics of where the air could come from that it'd go through the waste collector before traveling the extra 5 feet to go through the pipe and filter that goes outside. I may give it a shot though. What's one more pump under my stand!

 

[markstubb]

ok so I really tried hard to understand this idea as it sounds really interesting but i couldn't I read it couple of times but i need to see how its connected. Do you have a build thread or pictures for this setup connection. "Pretty please "

I believe all he's saying is he just measured how much water the DOS pumps over the course of a day, then figured out how much evaporation his take has in a day, then programs the DOS to proactively fill his tank, unless it hits one of two high water mark floats. He also, like most folks with an apex, has a VO that will trigger on if any floats it monitors haven't activated in a certain duration. I have the same logic in mine. If any of these errors persist after 720 minutes, this error pops up, alerting me that either my ATO tank hasn't refilled automatically for some reason, my ATO pump hasn't ran (it should run at least once every 12 hours), or my sump has stayed low for more than 12 hours.

720minError VO:
Set OFF
If Output ATO_Pmup = OFF Then ON
If Output ATOSumpLow = ON Then ON
If Output ATO_Tank_L = ON Then ON
Defer 720:00 Then ON

 

[Breadman03]

ok so I really tried hard to understand this idea as it sounds really interesting but i couldn't I read it couple of times but i need to see how its connected. Do you have a build thread or pictures for this setup connection. "Pretty please "

Here is the code. Note that the TData is generated by the Apex automatically. I just used the wizard to pump 20,000 ml over 24 hours.

Fallback OFF
tdata 00:00:00,1,18,6,2,2,148,130,6,62,2,28,11,0
If ATO OPEN Then OFF
If ATOE OPEN Then OFF
Min Time 030:00 Then OFF

Basically, the pump will run unless one or both of my float switches are open. The lower switch (ATO) controls the water level and the higher switch (ATOE) is there just in case the lower switch gets stuck.

 

[Salahunreal]

My Swabbie sits 74.5mm above the top of the skimmer lid (aka the maximum height of the skimmer). I just measured it for you. Jeff's stuff is really awesome, but as far as a waste collector, even if you have Jeff make it, I'd still recommend you use an avast pressure sensor rather than optical sensors. While I have about 8 optical sensors currently in use, I have learned one immutable fact - they are not reliable long term. They fail in mysterious ways and are just not reliable. The idea of them is wonderful, but they still require maintenance, and much more frequent replacement than normal float switches. The avast pressure switches, on the other hand, I run two of them (one for sump level and one for the waste collector) for *critical* water levels. They're not as accurate as normal floats, but they are ridiculously reliable. They're also very well suited for the literal crap you'll run into with a waste collector. There's absolutely no way I'd put optical sensors in a waste collector. Normal floats would probably just clog up way too quickly.

I've seen these before, but I tried to breathe through the pipe going outside and didn't feel much resistance. I just think that due to simple logistics of where the air could come from that it'd go through the waste collector before traveling the extra 5 feet to go through the pipe and filter that goes outside. I may give it a shot though. What's one more pump under my stand!

Thank you so much for the effort. I see your actual measurements is even more than what I calculated. I have thought 74.5mm including clearance but looks like i missed something.
Well, I emailed Jeff about decreasing the height of the skimmer if it will affect the performance a lot or not. We will see.

You know, I already thought about the pressure valve that Marine avast are using but I did not think they sell it separately but found out they do.
Good idea for sump level also.. will be buying two then and thanks for feedback about the optical sensors. I knew they require maintenance but thought to some level they are reliable. I defiantly will go with avast pressure sensor

 

[Salahunreal]

I believe all he's saying is he just measured how much water the DOS pumps over the course of a day, then figured out how much evaporation his take has in a day, then programs the DOS to proactively fill his tank, unless it hits one of two high water mark floats. He also, like most folks with an apex, has a VO that will trigger on if any floats it monitors haven't activated in a certain duration. I have the same logic in mine. If any of these errors persist after 720 minutes, this error pops up, alerting me that either my ATO tank hasn't refilled automatically for some reason, my ATO pump hasn't ran (it should run at least once every 12 hours), or my sump has stayed low for more than 12 hours.

720minError VO:
Set OFF
If Output ATO_Pmup = OFF Then ON
If Output ATOSumpLow = ON Then ON
If Output ATO_Tank_L = ON Then ON
Defer 720:00 Then ON

Here is the code. Note that the TData is generated by the Apex automatically. I just used the wizard to pump 20,000 ml over 24 hours.



Basically, the pump will run unless one or both of my float switches are open. The lower switch (ATO) controls the water level and the higher switch (ATOE) is there just in case the lower switch gets stuck.

Ahhh... i see now, so beside a physical sensors, you have a logic running based on duration time to verify. OK... one more item to me To Do list.

Thank you very much guys

 

[JoshH]

Ahhh... i see now, so beside a physical sensors, you have a logic running based on duration time to verify. OK... one more item to me To Do list.

Thank you very much guys

Not sure if it was touched on or not but Jeff will shorten the collection cup for you, not the skimmer body, I shaved 2 1/2" off my skimmer cup to fit comfortably in my cabinet.

 

[Salahunreal]

Not sure if it was touched on or not but Jeff will shorten the collection cup for you, not the skimmer body, I shaved 2 1/2" off my skimmer cup to fit comfortably in my cabinet.

Hallelujah
My problem solved then. Clicking purchase now on avast to use the 15% discount for Thanksgiving.

Guys really really thank you all. You have never been more than helpful and informative.

 

[Salahunreal]

@markstubb
What wiper size you ordered for swabbie?

 

[markstubb]

Micro. Make sure they know it’s for a Lifereef. Will need to trim the rubber a bit but no big deal. Scissors does it easily

 

[Ponraj A]

After going through a while, I finally got my SVS3-24 from Mr.Jeff and installed yesterday. I have used Jebao DC4000 pump and any one tell me whether the bubbles formed are ok. Video below is after an hour of install. Please find below the youtube link.

 

[markstubb]

looks ok to me. you probably need to give it a few days to decide if it's skimming right. If anything, it looks a bit wet, but new skimmers usually take a bit to break in

 

[Ponraj A]

looks ok to me. you probably need to give it a few days to decide if it's skimming right. If anything, it looks a bit wet, but new skimmers usually take a bit to break in

@markstubb thanks for your reply and can you please tell me, how should the correct skimming to be?

 

[markstubb]

you really want the bubble column to be right in between the neck of the skimmer body and the skimmer cup, maybe a bit lower than where you have it right now. Once it starts working, you'll see the larger bubbles sort of build up above the main bubble column and it will eventually push up and over the neck into the cup

 

[Ponraj A]

you really want the bubble column to be right in between the neck of the skimmer body and the skimmer cup, maybe a bit lower than where you have it right now. Once it starts working, you'll see the larger bubbles sort of build up above the main bubble column and it will eventually push up and over the neck into the cup

Thanks for your reply and will keep updated in this thread.

 

[Water Dog]

Thanks for your reply and will keep updated in this thread.

Keep monitoring, but down the road, you may want to consider upgrading your pump. These skimmers do better with more flow and pressure. The recommended minimum pump for the 24 is a Mag 9.5 rated 950 gph at 15 feet. I believe Jeff actually runs his 24” skimmer with a Mag 18. The Jebao DC400o is rated at 1050 gph at only 8.5 feet, so you may be a bit underpowered. As far as the Jebao DC pumps go, I’ve seen people have success with their 6000+ lph pumps, like the DCP6500.

 

[Ponraj A]

Keep monitoring, but down the road, you may want to consider upgrading your pump. These skimmers do better with more flow and pressure. The recommended minimum pump for the 24 is a Mag 9.5 rated 950 gph at 15 feet. I believe Jeff actually runs his 24” skimmer with a Mag 18. The Jebao DC400o is rated at 1050 gph at only 8.5 feet, so you may be a bit underpowered. As far as the Jebao DC pumps go, I’ve seen people have success with their 6000+ lph pumps, like the DCP6500.

Thanks for your valuable suggestion, will place the order by today and will change by this week with the new pump. Is it ok if I buy DCP 8000 pump as there is no much price difference.

 

[Mical]

It's a work of art, almost too pretty to use.

I have these on both of my tanks. Quiet and reliable.

 

[Water Dog]

The 8000 would definitely be the better option IMO. Like I said, Jeff runs a Mag 18, so you will have quite the happy skimmer with the pump upgrade!

 

[Ponraj A]

The 8000 would definitely be the better option IMO. Like I said, Jeff runs a Mag 18, so you will have quite the happy skimmer with the pump upgrade!

thanks for your response and time. Will order the same today.

 

[legionofdoon]

I'm running the 8000 on mine it's pretty good however bigger is better so if you can get the 10000 or 15000 for around the same price go for it. Also when you start off lower the bubble water interface to right about the top of the letters on the liffereef sticker.