Protein skimmer, ozone, skimmer, venturi, in-sump, hang-on, Euro, stand-alone. downdraft, needle-wheel, protein

4628 S. Ward Way, Morrison, Colorado 80465

Phone: 303-978-0940 and 303-719-0950

E-mail: lifereef@lifereef.com

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LIFEREEF VENTURI PROTEIN SKIMMERS

Do you know that venturi skimmers are more efficient than needle-wheel types, require very little maintenance, and can use any pump you want?

ANY WATER PUMP CAN BE USED WITH OUR PROTEIN SKIMMERS. AC, DC, HIGH WATTAGE, LOW WATTAGE. IF YOU HAVE A PUMP PREFERENCE WE CAN USE THAT WITH OUR PROTEIN SKIMMERS. All the pump has to meet is the minimum output, for our smallest skimmer that would be a 1000 gph pump.

ONE EASY ADJUSTMENT VIA A SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE GATE VALVE. Not some proprietary gear-mechanism guaranteed to break and not be replaceable. No input adjustment, no air adjustment, just the exit water using a simple and precise gate valve.

Venturi skimming is recommended for both Triton systems and Zeovit systems.

MORE EFFICIENT than needle-wheels due to much more contact time, varying bubble size, and an engineered riser neck with specific neck-to-body diameter ratio and specific neck height.

LESS MAINTENANCE than needle-wheels, no need to take apart a Lifereef protein skimmer for maintenance, it can set in your sump for years without interior main body cleaning. Only the cup and neck need cleaned and maybe every few years you can remove to clean out little tubeworms, seasquirts, and small sponges, none of which interfere with the performance of a venturi protein skimmer.

LESS PARTS, look at all the internal parts of a needle-wheel skimmer. Some even have the pumps inside. Then look at all the bubble-plate gimmicks, all for calming the water flow which reduces efficiency. What's inside a Lifereef Venturi Protein skimmer? Nothing but a baffle tube and an enhanced bubble/water action. This DOES NOT decrease the skimmers performance as the needle-wheel folk tell you it does.

PLANKTON AND LARVAE FRIENDLY! Needle-Wheel skimmers destroy/shred anything entering the pump! But standard water pumps just pass these critters through fully intact and alive!

NECK CLEANERS are a GIMMICK! They tell you that your skimmer works better after a neck cleaning. So, here is what really happens..... Neck cleaner comes on and swipes all that crud off the neck and where does it go? It falls into the skimmer where your now concentrated proteins cause an immediate foaming action which then deposits more gunk on the neck and very little into the cup. Doesn't it make more sense to take the cup off, take it to the sink, and rinse that crap down the drain? And guess what, you soon become a neck cleaner cleaner, adding more maintenance to your schedule.

Venturi Skimmers vs Needle-Wheel Skimmers

Check out the LIFEREEF SKIMMER user forum on Reef Central and read why many have switched from needle-wheel skimmers to the Lifereef venturi protein skimmers.

Using the ZEOVIT SYSTEM OR TRITON system filtration? A venturi driven skimmer is the recommended method of skimming.


LIFEREEF VENTURI PROTEIN SKIMMER MODELS and SPECS
A Lifereef Exclusive that came out in 1999 is the CUP-TO-VENTURI-HOSE or CVC, Constant Venturi Cleansing. No other skimmers feature this exclusive and important feature! This simple feature does 5 things for your skimmer: 1. Keeps the venturi clean meaning you will never have to clean a venturi again! This is why Lifereef skimmers remain stable when all other skimmers have to be adjusted frequently. When the air volume is changed from a clogged venturi your skimmer water level will rise. This does happen in Needle-Wheel skimmers as they too have a venturi and it is on the front of the pump. 2. Recirculates the air within the skimmer. Again your skimmer will remain stable. Air pollutants (think cooking greasy foods on the stove) are kept out. "Greasy" air entering a skimmer will cause it to lose foam. 3. Muffles the venturi suction noise. Due to the larger bubble sizes (and tons of small ones too) a venturi is more aggressive at shearing the air into different bubble sizes and as such makes a low rumble. This hose prevents that rumble from escaping from the venturi. Different bubble sizes is the reason a true venturi skimmer outperforms ANY needle-wheel, regardless of price. 4. Ozone use, certainly! And much better use of ozone since any residual ozone is circlated back into the skimmer for more absorption. No special carbon filter is needed on the air escaping as in all other skimmers. 5. Can prevent cup overflow, except in very extreme foaming conditions. Lifereef skimmers have a far less chance of overflowing than ANY other skimmers.
CUSTOM SKIMMERS	Don't settle for short if you have the vertical space! Don't accept a skimmer that is too short just because the next size up is too tall. Let Lifereef build you a skimmer to maximize your cabinet height for the MOST CONTACT TIME! Needle-wheel skimmers don't talk about "contact time" because they can't do it!
SKIMMER EXTENSIONS	The VS3, SVS3, HVS3, VS3-36, VS3-48, VS3-60, and VS3-72 FLANGED protein skimmers can have an extension added to make the protein skimmer taller for increased efficiency if needed and space permits. Future-proof your protein skimmer for that larger aquarium in your future!
VS2 and SVS2 Non-Flanged (Exact same skimmer, different fittings)
SVS2-24 in-sump 22 1/2" tall THIS IS THE BEST SELLING SKIMMER AND USED IN ALL THE LIFEREEF SYSTEMS AS A STANDARD PROTEIN SKIMMER The skimmer shown in the above photo is the original skimmer and photo from 1994. Not a lot has changed except for the cup cover and the self-cleaning venturi hose but soon a new current photo will replace the above.	Up to 250 gallon systems AND NANO!	Pump size minimum 900 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	SMALL FOOTPRINT! 8 x 12 for stock setup. However, it can be configured to fit into 8 x 10 but we need to know in order to configure it for this space.	This is undoubtedly the most popular skimmer ever! Easily fits into cabinets 24" high and gains the maximum amount of contact time in a short skimmer. This skimmer is used in all the Lifereef Systems as a standard skimmer. Small footprint and no micro-bubble problems make this in-sump skimmer one of the easiest to set up and you won't require a special sump to use it. Recommended sump water level: any depth up to 9". Have less than 24", order with the "short cup" collecttion cup which is 1" less in height than the stock collection cup. Shorter yet, "SHORTY" 20 at 20" high! You still need a few inches above to remove the cup.	Any color or colors! Mix or match a protein skimmer colors to your system or favorites!
VS2-24, 22 1/2" tall	Up to 250 gallon systems AND NANO!	Pump size minimum 900 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	7 x 18 with pump Smallest space to fit is 10.5 x 10.5	The EXACT same skimmer as above, only with an external water pump and a few extra fittings. Recommended sump water level: any depth up to 9".


HVS2-24 HANG-ON
HVS2-24 Hang-On	Up to 250 gallon systems AND NANO!	Pump size minimum 900 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	Takes 6 1/2" of aquarium rim, needs 7" space behind tank, and extends 17" above tank rim.	The EXACT same skimmers as above, except with a bracket that lets you hang the skimmer on your aquarium or your sump. You can hang this skimmer on the rim in three different directions. Skimmer can be removed from the bracket for in-sump or stand-alone sump connection should you move to a sump setup. Don't have the space behind the aquarium? Hang this skimmer on the front or side for a few days to remove protein then take it off until the next week. Much more efficient than any of the small "toy" hang-on skimmers.
VS3 and SVS3 (Exact same skimmers, different fittings)
VS3-24, 22 1/2" tall ALL VS3's feature QUICK DISASSEMBLY when needed. Venturi Skimmers do not need cleaned like Needle-wheels. A once-per-year is all that is needed to keep critters cleaned out. Or, ADD an EXTENSION to make the skimmer taller for larger aquariums!	Up to 250 gallon systems AND NANO!	Pump size minimum 900 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	9 x 12 6 1/2 square base	Flange design utilizes a full-face gasket and 8 nylon thumbscrews with keyhole for easy on/off access. The ONLY reason to use a flange skimmer in a Lifereef design is for cleaning small sponges, tubeworms, etc. out of the main body every few years. Sludge will never build up in the skimmer body as it does in all other skimmers. Recommended sump water level: any depth up to 9". Accepts Extensions to make skimmer taller.
SVS3-24 In-Sump
SVS3-24 in-sump 22 1/2" tall	Up to 250 gallon systems AND NANO!	Pump size minimum 900 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	9 x 12 6 1/2 square base	Flange design utilizes a full-face gasket and 8 nylon thumbscrews with keyhole for easy on/off access. The ONLY reason to use a flange skimmer in a Lifereef design is for cleaning small sponges, tubeworms, etc. out of the main body. Sludge will never build up in the skimmer body as it does in downdrafts and nozzle injection skimmers, which must be taken down regularly to keep them working. Recommended sump water level: any depth up to 9". Accepts Extenions to make skimmer taller.
HVS3-24 Hang-On
HVS3-24 Hang-On HVS2-24 Hang-On, center and left	Up to 250 gallon systems AND NANO!	Pump size minimum 900 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	Takes 6 1/2" of aquarium rim, needs 8" space behind tank, and extends 17" above tank rim.	You can hang this skimmer on the rim in three different directions. Skimmer can be removed from the bracket for in-sump or stand-alone sump connection should you move to a sump setup. Don't have the space behind the aquarium? Hang this skimmer on the front or side for a few days to remove protein then take it off until the next week. Much more efficient than any of the small "toy" hang-ons. No special bubble trap or container are required! Accepts Extensions (HVS3) to make skimmer taller.
VS3-30 External
VS3-30 External	250-400 gallon systems	Pump size minimum 1100 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	9 x 12 6 1/2 square base	Flange design utilizes a full-face gasket and 8 nylon thumbscrews with keyhole for easy on/off. This allows periodic interior cleaning which may only be needed once per year for aesthetics, not performance. Recommended sump water level: any depth up to 16". Accepts Extensions to make skimmer taller.
SVS3-30 In-Sump
SVS3-30 IN-SUMP	250-400 gallon systems	Pump size minimum 1100 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	9 x 12 6 1/2 square base	Flange design utilizes a full-face gasket and 8 nylon thumbscrews with keyhole for easy on/off. This allows periodic interior cleaning which may only be needed once per year for aesthetics, not performance. Recommended sump water level: any depth up to 16". Accepts Extensions to make skimmer taller.
VS3-36 External
VS3-36 External	400-600 gallon systems	Pump size minimum 1100 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	9 x 12 6 1/2 square base	Flange design utilizes a full-face gasket and 8 nylon thumbscrews with keyhole for easy on/off. This allows periodic interior cleaning which may only be needed once per year for aesthetics, not performance. Recommended sump water level: any depth up to 22". Accepts Extensions to make skimmer taller.
SVS3-36 In-Sump
SVS3-36 IN-SUMP	400-600 gallon systems	Pump size minimum 1100 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	9 x 12 6 1/2 square base	Flange design utilizes a full-face gasket and 8 nylon thumbscrews with keyhole for easy on/off. This allows periodic interior cleaning which may only be needed once per year for aesthetics, not performance. Recommended sump water level: any depth up to 22". Accepts Extensions to make skimmer taller.

Optional 8" Cup for all Lifereef Skimmers (Standard on 48, 60, and 72 models below)	When a 6" cup just isn't enough you can add this 8" DIAMETER cup to any of the Lifereef protein skimmers and extend your maintenance time! For all Lifereef Protein Skimmers. 8" DIAMETER x 6" HIGH			For 24, 30, and 36 skimmers 8" Collection Cup is standard on 48, 60, and 72 size skimmers.
Optional "Short Cup"	The "short cup" is just a collection cup that is 1" less in height than the stock cup. Sometimes the cabinet height is just not enough by fractions of an inch so by using the short cup you can have the stock skimmer where all the perforance is without having to accept someone else's short skimmer.			No additional charge with skimmer purchase.
The Mazzei Venturi is "the original" venturi that got the entire venturi-driven protein skimmer industry going over 24 years ago. Many venturis came after the Mazzei, but this is the king of venturis and continues to be a superb performer. The Mazzei Venturis are used on all the skimmers below and are an option for the skimmers above. The Mazzei allows a larger volume of water to be pushed through the venturi and skimmer thus drawing in more air and hence more bubbles. A slight improvement is acheived by more water flow and increased bubble volume, and that's what skimming is all about!
The unique nature of the Lifereef protein skimmers air circulation allows any unused ozone to be recirculated back into the skimmer for complete ozone utilization. NO ozone escapes into the cabinet and no special carbon filter is required.				Ozone Kit to allow the use of ozone injection into the venturi suction. Includes appropriate Norprene tubing, "T" fitting, and hose adapters to connect to 1/8" ID tubing from your ozonizer. Other tubing diameters are available.
TALL, HIGH PERFORMANCE PROTEIN SKIMMERS FOR AQUARIUMS 500 GALLONS TO 2000 GALLONS Height is what is needed for large aquarium volumes, peroid. In a given height skimmer you can only obtain a certain amount of skimming action. For larger aquariums you must go upwards to a taller skimmer. Fat-body skimmers do not make up for contact time.
		This is the new "turbine input" that spins the water/bubbles as they enter the skimmer chamber. This part does not spin but imparts a tangent water/bubble input to produce a spin in the water/bubble movement.

VS3-48, 48" tall	500 gallons	Pump size minimum 1100 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	12 x 19 or 12 x 12 if the Mazzei venturi is mounted vertically off the pump.	This 4 foot tall skimmer can be converted to a taller model with the addition of an extension. Can be installed in the following setups: Conventional Counter-current Re-Circulation/Co-current Re-Circulation/Counter-Current 8": diameter BIG COLLECTION CUP Sump depth has no bearing on the operation of this skimmer, unless your sump depth is higher than 30". Accepts Extensions to make skimmer taller.

VS3-60, 60" tall	700 gallons	Pump size minimum 1100 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	12 x 19 or 12 x 12 if the Mazzei venturi is mounted vertically off the pump.	This 5 foot tall skimmer can be converted to a taller model with the addition of an extension. Can be installed in the following setups: Conventional Counter-current Re-Circulation/Co-current Re-Circulation/Counter-Current 8" diameter BIG COLLECTION CUP Sump depth has no bearing on the operation of this skimmer, unless your sump depth is higher than 42". Accepts Extensions to make skimmer taller.

VS3-72, 72" tall 72" skimmer with 12" extension making this a whopping 84" tall! Height is the only way to make a protein skimmer efficient for larger water volumes as it increase bubble/water contact time. something needle-wheel skimmers cannot do.	1500 gallons+	Pump size minimum 1100 gph Larger pumps can be used for increased performance	12 x 19 or 12 x 12 if the Mazzei venturi is mounted vertically off the pump.	This skimmer is awesome! Standing a full 6 FEET TALL this skimmer is sure to beat all skimmers! You can add an Extension if you want to go to 7 FEET. Can be installed in the following ways: Conventional, Counter-Current Recirc/Co-Current, Recirc Counter-Current 8" diameter BIG COLLECTION CUP Sump depth has no bearing on the operation of this skimmer, unless your sump depth is higher than 54". This skimmer can be used without a sump and can stand alongside or behind your aquarium as long as the aquarium rim is no higher than 54" from the floor. However, you can raise the skimmer in order for it to function with water levels exceeding 54".

PROTEIN SKIMMER DETAILS AND CUSTOMER PHOTOS

IT'S WHAT'S IN THE CUP THAT COUNTS! You can spec all the numbers you want, cfm air intake, gph flow-thru, efficient pump (has nothing to do with skimmer protein removal), cone-shape, hour-glass shape, bubble-plate, etc. Needle-wheel, pin-wheel, paddle-wheel, mesh-wheel, and out the end comes the same consistent bubble size, bad for solids removal and protein removal.

The PROOF IS IN THE CUP. Compare your skimmate with the photos above.