SRC Member james72 Posted December 4, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted December 4, 2013 I have recently just bought a lifereef hvs3-24 handmade skimmer. Lifereef is well known for building reliable, low maintenance yet effective skimmer in the states. The brand has been in the marine industry for more than 20 years. Question : I have been using needlewheel skimmers, why change to old school venturi I ask myself? The reason is simple, I need a skimmer that I can use for as long as my tank stays and not worry about the replacement of the spare parts like needlewheel impellers or skimmer pumps which tends to "phase out" within few years and those quality needlewheel impellers can cost more than $150-$200 to replace if you found it. Second reason is I need a skimmer that is simple to operate. I don't need fancy variable speed skimmers, I dont want a skimmer that need to keep adjusting whenever there is a fluctuations in the sump water level. I want to maintain an effective wet skimming operation that only need to empty out the collection cup once a day. HVS3-24 is a 3rd generation skimmer handmade by Jeff himself. There is no major "upgrading" or change in design of the lifereef skimmer itself over the last 20+ years is because of its effectiveness, "if its good and proven, why change it?" The only difference between hvs2 & the hvs3 is the use of removable flange on the top of skimmer body. The hvs2 are acrylic cemented and not removable. The last 2 digits 24 stands for the total skimmer height of 24" inches. Lifereef have tested and will not build anything smaller than 24" because he does not want to compromise on the skimming effectiveness. A low flow rate just will not be able to cope with the amount of "protein' your reef tank produce and a small size skimmer just do not give enough "contact time" for the bubbles to separate the gunk from the water. HVS3-24 can be use as an external or an internal skimmer. Can also be hang on to the back or side of the tank. Noticed all the parts,fittings & acrylic used are of the highest quality. I have upgraded mine with Mazzei venturi for the ultra fine bubbles and thick foaming. Overall this skimmer cost alot more than my previous BM curve 7, but lesser than a deltec skimmer. In terms of performance & maintenance I think its value for money. Right now I am running it with a ehiem 1260 (2500L/h) which is below the recommended flow 3800 L/h but I find the performance already exceeded my expectations. I believe this skimmer can easily skim the shit out of a 5ft tank. Below are some pics of the parts and a short video clip of the Lifereef HVS3-24 skimmer running after 6 hours. http://youtu.be/f3Flae1fo40 Quote Cheers, James Reviving my reef tank : Crystal glass 53" x 22" x 17" rimless (inclusive of 12"x22"x17" IOS) Life Reef HVS3-24 with mazzei venturi ATI Sunpower 8 x 39w T5 (4 x Blue plus, 2 x Aqua blue special, Coral plus) ZET Light 3 x 3w LEDs moonlight Arctica 1/3 Hp + 1/4 Hp back up Vortech mp40w x 3 + Jebao wp25 Eheim 1264 x 3 + water blaster 5000 Vortech back up battery TLF-150 + Rowaphos Activated carbon Kamoer 3 channel + CaCl2 + NaHCo3 150L Refugium with DSB, miracle mud, cheato 2ft T5 x 2 light tubes for refugium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kakani Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 How much is this skimmer? Do they has skimmer for 5ft and above? Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member james72 Posted December 5, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted December 5, 2013 The HVS3-24 cost me usd $768 including freight. Freight & packaging alone cost usd$150-$175 already. Life reef do have the 48", 60" & 72" big brother version and come standard with mazzei venturi. If you really interested, let me know. I might be able to get a slight better price when I combine orders. http://www.lifereef.com/venturi.html Quote Cheers, James Reviving my reef tank : Crystal glass 53" x 22" x 17" rimless (inclusive of 12"x22"x17" IOS) Life Reef HVS3-24 with mazzei venturi ATI Sunpower 8 x 39w T5 (4 x Blue plus, 2 x Aqua blue special, Coral plus) ZET Light 3 x 3w LEDs moonlight Arctica 1/3 Hp + 1/4 Hp back up Vortech mp40w x 3 + Jebao wp25 Eheim 1264 x 3 + water blaster 5000 Vortech back up battery TLF-150 + Rowaphos Activated carbon Kamoer 3 channel + CaCl2 + NaHCo3 150L Refugium with DSB, miracle mud, cheato 2ft T5 x 2 light tubes for refugium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member erikokelf Posted December 5, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted December 5, 2013 Thanks for sharing. This skimmer look very solid and well built, give me another option when i upgrade. 1 Quote 2x2x1.5 ====== Maxspect Gyre Maxspect Razer 120w 16k H2O FR with Rowa Eheim Universal 2400 BM Nac 5.5 JBJ Arctica 1/10Hp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member subxero Posted December 5, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted December 5, 2013 Great looking skimmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jameshong Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 Wow...very nice and solid skimmer sia.. ! Quote Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. - Goethe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member james72 Posted December 5, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted December 5, 2013 Oh ya and I forget to mention the operation of the skimmer. Basically its as simple as 2 steps, 1) Assemble the skimmer and run your desired pump 2) Adjust the water level using the skimmer outlet valve to 1/2" below the flange and thats it.....no more adjustment required, just empty your collection cup once a day depending on your bioload. Quote Cheers, James Reviving my reef tank : Crystal glass 53" x 22" x 17" rimless (inclusive of 12"x22"x17" IOS) Life Reef HVS3-24 with mazzei venturi ATI Sunpower 8 x 39w T5 (4 x Blue plus, 2 x Aqua blue special, Coral plus) ZET Light 3 x 3w LEDs moonlight Arctica 1/3 Hp + 1/4 Hp back up Vortech mp40w x 3 + Jebao wp25 Eheim 1264 x 3 + water blaster 5000 Vortech back up battery TLF-150 + Rowaphos Activated carbon Kamoer 3 channel + CaCl2 + NaHCo3 150L Refugium with DSB, miracle mud, cheato 2ft T5 x 2 light tubes for refugium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcoVan Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 You can never beat the classics Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk Quote Happy Reefing, Marc J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veliferium Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 Really adore the workmanship of this skimmer and the amount of effort put in by the makers themselves. Another reefer is using this brand too, his tank thread is here for reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member james72 Posted December 8, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted December 8, 2013 Group order for life reef hvs3-24 with mazzei venturi skimmer is up now under thread. Order yours today. Quote Cheers, James Reviving my reef tank : Crystal glass 53" x 22" x 17" rimless (inclusive of 12"x22"x17" IOS) Life Reef HVS3-24 with mazzei venturi ATI Sunpower 8 x 39w T5 (4 x Blue plus, 2 x Aqua blue special, Coral plus) ZET Light 3 x 3w LEDs moonlight Arctica 1/3 Hp + 1/4 Hp back up Vortech mp40w x 3 + Jebao wp25 Eheim 1264 x 3 + water blaster 5000 Vortech back up battery TLF-150 + Rowaphos Activated carbon Kamoer 3 channel + CaCl2 + NaHCo3 150L Refugium with DSB, miracle mud, cheato 2ft T5 x 2 light tubes for refugium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member james72 Posted December 10, 2013 Author SRC Member Share Posted December 10, 2013 From skimming dark cocco to teh 'O' after few days....nutrients reducing? Quote Cheers, James Reviving my reef tank : Crystal glass 53" x 22" x 17" rimless (inclusive of 12"x22"x17" IOS) Life Reef HVS3-24 with mazzei venturi ATI Sunpower 8 x 39w T5 (4 x Blue plus, 2 x Aqua blue special, Coral plus) ZET Light 3 x 3w LEDs moonlight Arctica 1/3 Hp + 1/4 Hp back up Vortech mp40w x 3 + Jebao wp25 Eheim 1264 x 3 + water blaster 5000 Vortech back up battery TLF-150 + Rowaphos Activated carbon Kamoer 3 channel + CaCl2 + NaHCo3 150L Refugium with DSB, miracle mud, cheato 2ft T5 x 2 light tubes for refugium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PROX Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Mine also like this.. Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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