MTC MVX Skimmer review

natas

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I have heard good things about the gen 2 waveline pumps. So I think I may get the 12k. I really like the idea of setting a feed on the tank and putting the pump at a low setting instead of switching it off

Speaking of rust, the first waveline 10k I bought had rusting screws, they sent me a replacement. Then after that I went through two controllers. The current controller I have has been stable for 2 yrs. but unfortunently as stated above I think it's on its last leg.
 
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jason2459

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Some new numbers with the 784 mazzei running at full speed in around 15" of water. Definitely still a lot of flow and tons of microbubbles exiting the skimmer.

Not a good setup if you don't have a good bubble trap setup. On my previous trigger system sump there wasn't a triple baffle and the microbubbles went through. On my new sump with triple baffles and the fact they are so tall and my skimmer section single baffle that forces them all to the surface and the triple baffles draws from the bottom initially those microbubbles do not come close to making it to my return pump.

Air draw: ~24scfh
Watts used: 146watts



Before with running in around 7-8" of water.
Waveline DC 12000 @ Level 11 w/ 784 mazzei
Air draw: ~26scfh
Max head height: 22.96'
Watts: rated: 150watts (w/ adapter) 139watts (after adapter) actual: 150wattts (w/ adapter)
 
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jason2459

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ca1ore;24893697 said:
FWIW, I replaced the skinny black tubing to my dual mazzei a while back. A threaded 1/2x3/8 bushing screws onto the mazzei to make it water tight for we externals. Removed the grey washers and used 1/2" tubing. Definitely more air, and noisier. Not sure it works any better though.

This was perfect! Thanks again. I got in just that and installed. Perfect fit. I'm more worried the tube will fall off some how as it's not a super tight fit by any means with our that barb connection in place and only a little nub its on. Definitely much louder.

d9c4c5f1f05181312eab0326921b01be.jpg
 
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jason2459

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I swapped back in the stock 684 mazzei venturi. The 784 pulls more air but also the flow I feel is to much. If I had a taller skimmer I think it would be a lot better. I can see the foam on top moving around quite a bit more with the 784 vs being a lot steadier with the 684. But it's not a huge difference in air draw, just a couple scfh of air, but the difference in flow is enough to keep the foam up top more consistent using the 684. I still need to get the dual mazzei venturi going.
 

Reef Man

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Did you think to test this with a beckett valve? I think it could be interesting and you will get very interesting results.
 
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jason2459

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Did you think to test this with a beckett valve? I think it could be interesting and you will get very interesting results.


Beckett Injector skimmers are awesome and at some point I might swap one in but I don't really have the desire to run one long term. Really the only reason I didn't go with a Beckett is the maintenance on the injector and having to take it apart. The mazzei venturi is very basic compared to the Beckett and much easier to keep clean. From what I understand a Beckett also has much higher head pressure demands.
 

Reef Man

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I think you can test it with your MAG 18. enough to make work a beckett. I think you can get more air with same watts you are using now with the DC12,000. For me, 150watts on a DC permits to use a bigger pump like a MAG24 and skimmer will be more efficient than DC pump thinking on the mazzei, and with beckett will blow out !
 
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jason2459

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Just having some fun... lol



With the IR night vision its like you can see past some of the outer less dense bubbles and see more into the core of the thick denser bubbles and see it swirling all the way up.

And sounds weird but sometimes, ok a lot of times, I just love watching the fine bubbles swirling around. :p
 
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This did not work at all. :D

2c2d0d47f2c4edecad606ba8c069c8cb.jpg


Having one mazzei injector on top of the other just caused the top one to push water out the air intake. If this were to work I would imagine a pretty powerful pump would have to be used if possible.


But I'm about ready to put this into service and see what happens. Dual 484x injectors.
9f27a1db98b1bde55e2389d92a27c38a.jpg
 
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892afd42ffa1a4d712f82f570e6dc989.jpg



Will see how this performs. Flow is down quite a bit. I had to close the gate valve several turns to get the water level up and the waveline at 100% is now only pulling 144 watts and the pump is raised up so is running in about 7" of water which it was pulling 150watts at 100% before.

Air draw though is now up slightly. I need to get another bushing and barb adapter but each with the 1/2" tubing on the injectors are pulling between 14 and 16 scfh. So, say about 30scfh total now!

Less flow + more air = ???

Will see what happens with production.
 
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jason2459

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Oh and FYI, dual 1/2" tubes drawing air is not even close to quite. lol

Using the original tubing would be much better if noise is a concern.
 
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jason2459

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So far I'm unsure of what's happening. Seems like now there's not enough flow.

Before there would be quite a bit of turbulence towards the top of the skimmer where the water is moving back down against the bubbles and not swirling as much anymore.

Now the turbulance starts much further down in the skimmer. Seems to cause the foam to break up quickly up top. Will clean the collection cup out tonight, drain the bucket, and let it run for three days to get production numbers.
 
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jason2459

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And so far unimpressed. Usually by morning the whole collection cup is full of foam. It also seems like a wet foam or not as "sticky" as it normally is. So could be draining down and not sticking to the sides as well. I'll give it the rest of the day.

20170205_080220.jpg



I also noticed my pH did not reach near as high as it normally does so it seems like its not mixing the air in nearly as well or something.

I took this screen shot yesterday evening.
Screenshot_20170204-200056.png
 
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jason2459

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Yeah, definitely under performing so far.

This collection cup should be coated by now.

This is what it normally has looked like a few hours after cleaning the collection cup out.
20170205_172000.jpg


pH is slightly higher tonight but still lower then normal. Which to me its not mixing the air in nearly as well for one reason or another. I'm thinking the lower flow is not spinning it around nearly as much and the air is rising much quicker which which is what I see up top with the bubbles popping quicker or seemingly more wet. Just not getting the dwell time it had before even though there's more air it just isn't as efficient use of them.

Can see right when I installed it and the past two days of lower pH.
Screenshot_20170205-200532.png
 
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jason2459

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I just can't help myself... I love this skimmer and the ability to toy with it like this
072b7cda8506545aaac2e698c73e40a0.jpg



There's a lot less flow then I thought there would be with the 484x injectors. Air increased over all but I was initially worried about to much flow like with the 784.

Now I want to try dual 584s and dual 684s. See, if I can get that flow rate up. But getting to much air in there may end up being a problem and where a taller body would need to come in. Like the dual venturi 48"-72" skimmers MTC makes.
 
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jason2459

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lol

This is what I've been getting after 8 hours

0a03fd056d94d5d7eab17a2c842fc229.jpg


24 hours
c7854a314f953044e4d52ce4a0aa2670.jpg


And 3 days
537ac2982c199d6f46b5fe6ddd1e555e.jpg


That's been very consistent this whole time since getting the skimmer going even through all the different speeds and pumps.

And this is what I got with the dual 484x injectors

After 3 and a half days
dfa66a5610d898079eba7e2e1d681c22.jpg



And only produced about 3 cups per day. The foam and everything seems wet. Definitely a flop compared to just running the 684 or even the 784. The mag18 and 684 did slightly better on my system then the dual 484x setup.

Looks like I will have the 2 584s and another 684 in tomorrow.
 
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jason2459

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I have just a single 584 running now and it is getting decent air draw and less flow (using watts used) then the dual 484x injectors which it should since the flow was split between two.

For comparisons
Waveline DC 12000 @ Level 11 w/ 584 mazzei
Air draw: ~20-22scfh
Max head height: 22.96'
Watts used: 143wattts (w/ adapter)
Skimmate produced: ??? Will find out



Waveline DC 12000 @ Level 11 w/ dual 484x mazzei
Air draw: ~28-30scfh
Max head height: 22.96'
Watts used: 145wattts (w/ adapter)
Skimmate produced: ~3cups wet/day


Mag18 with MVX stock 684 mazzei venturi
Air draw: ~12 scfh
Max head height:16.85'
Watts used: 62-63watts
Skimmate produced: ~3 cups dry/day high side

Mag18 with 784 mazzei
Air draw: ~14scf
Max head height: 16.85'
Watts used: 65-66watts
Skimmate produced: ~3 cups dryish/day low side


Waveline DC 12000 @ Level 11 w/ 684 mazzei
Air draw: ~24scfh
Max head height: 22.96'
Watts used: 147wattts (w/ adapter)
Skimmate produced: ~5.5 cups dry/day



Waveline DC 12000 @ Level 11 w/ 784 mazzei
Air draw: ~26scfh
Max head height: 22.96'
Watts used: 150wattts (w/ adapter)
Skimmate produced: ~6 cups dry/day
 
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jason2459

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The single 584 is performing much more like normal. Nice thick foam. By day 3 this should be full coated

01e8088e6438f934b90e69b934c49e1b.jpg
 
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jason2459

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Didn't get to wrap up the single 584 very well here. I've been under the weather pretty bad.

But the single 584 did ok.

For comparisons
Waveline DC 12000 @ Level 11 w/ 584 mazzei
Air draw: ~20-22scfh
Max head height: 22.96'
Watts used: 142wattts (w/ adapter)
Skimmate produced: ~4.5cups/day dry



Waveline DC 12000 @ Level 11 w/ dual 484x mazzei
Air draw: ~28-30scfh
Max head height: 22.96'
Watts used: 145wattts (w/ adapter)
Skimmate produced: ~3cups wet/day


Mag18 with MVX stock 684 mazzei venturi
Air draw: ~12 scfh
Max head height:16.85'
Watts used: 62-63watts
Skimmate produced: ~3 cups dry/day high side

Mag18 with 784 mazzei
Air draw: ~14scf
Max head height: 16.85'
Watts used: 65-66watts
Skimmate produced: ~3 cups dryish/day low side


Waveline DC 12000 @ Level 11 w/ 684 mazzei
Air draw: ~24scfh
Max head height: 22.96'
Watts used: 147wattts (w/ adapter)
Skimmate produced: ~5.5 cups dry/day



Waveline DC 12000 @ Level 11 w/ 784 mazzei
Air draw: ~26scfh
Max head height: 22.96'
Watts used: 150wattts (w/ adapter)
Skimmate produced: ~6 cups dry/day
 

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