andycook
06/04/2006, 10:09 PM
I'm currently between name brand skimmers. My plan is to throw together a skimmer from a bunch of parts I have. I've got a 34" skimmer body, a mazzei 684 venturi (3/4"), and a bunch of pumps.
One problem is there is little information here on RC on appropriate pumps for the different size mazzeis. There are about 17 different mazzei flow and thread size combinations. I found a website that said to tell them the pump you have and they will suggest the appropriate mazzei for the application. I already have the mazzei so that is no help to me. Mazzei aren't cheap - they run $30+ to over $100 each. (I got mine on ebay years ago).
One or two threads list the 384, 484, and 584 mazzeis working well with mag 5s through mag 9.5. I find that hard to believe after I hooked up a mag 12 for a test run. Unless I am brainwashed by beckett foaminess I think a bigger pump is needed. A mag 18 worked well - nice and bubbly but I was hoping to use less electricity especially because I'm adding a feed pump.
I did finally find a thread that says a mazzei 684 needs about 900 gph. Another thread claims a pressure rated pump is needed.
Oh yes, remove the seal and checkvalve marble from the air intake. You don't need that unless you set up your mazzei low enough that water might back siphon if power is cut. I'll have to retest the mag 12 without the checkvalve marble in place.
Lifereef skimmers use mazzei injectors so I looked up which pump lifereef sells for their 36" skimmers. They sell the little giant 4MDQX-SC with the 36" skimmer which is a low-medium head circulation pump.
At this point I have to retest the mag 12 with out the checkvalve on the venturi. That slows the air intake but doesn't seem to influence bubble size at all.
One problem is there is little information here on RC on appropriate pumps for the different size mazzeis. There are about 17 different mazzei flow and thread size combinations. I found a website that said to tell them the pump you have and they will suggest the appropriate mazzei for the application. I already have the mazzei so that is no help to me. Mazzei aren't cheap - they run $30+ to over $100 each. (I got mine on ebay years ago).
One or two threads list the 384, 484, and 584 mazzeis working well with mag 5s through mag 9.5. I find that hard to believe after I hooked up a mag 12 for a test run. Unless I am brainwashed by beckett foaminess I think a bigger pump is needed. A mag 18 worked well - nice and bubbly but I was hoping to use less electricity especially because I'm adding a feed pump.
I did finally find a thread that says a mazzei 684 needs about 900 gph. Another thread claims a pressure rated pump is needed.
Oh yes, remove the seal and checkvalve marble from the air intake. You don't need that unless you set up your mazzei low enough that water might back siphon if power is cut. I'll have to retest the mag 12 without the checkvalve marble in place.
Lifereef skimmers use mazzei injectors so I looked up which pump lifereef sells for their 36" skimmers. They sell the little giant 4MDQX-SC with the 36" skimmer which is a low-medium head circulation pump.
At this point I have to retest the mag 12 with out the checkvalve on the venturi. That slows the air intake but doesn't seem to influence bubble size at all.