MRC MR-R2 skimmer

[Montaquelaveist]

Okay guys I'm looking at getting the MRC MR-R2 skimmer since this thime around i wanna keep as much stuff as possible out of the sump has anyone ever had this skimmer or have it now and if so how would i hook it up if im only using one pump to run my tank ( Reeflo Hammerhead ) i read it needs to pumps but i was wondering if i could just run two seperate lines off my hammerhead whats you guys inputs

 

[MIKE NY]

I ran an dual beckett MRC 2 for many years( still have it if your interested, but needs to be in sump) you'll need about 1800gph+ to be effective so a line off the Hammerhead isn't a problem, but I don't see how you can use the same pump for both the feed and to recirculate...

 

[duke62]

IMO out of sump skimmer can get scarey. any overflow from skimmer cup and you have a flood and a dead tank if not caught in time. better to get a sump that can handle a in sump skimmer

 

[Montaquelaveist]

im building my sump from a 55g which would suggest for a 240g tank

 

[KathyC]

IMO out of sump skimmer can get scarey. any overflow from skimmer cup and you have a flood and a dead tank if not caught in time. better to get a sump that can handle a in sump skimmer

Sorry James, but I disagree. I've had 2 long running tanks with MRC beckett skimmers (they are BEASTS) and neither ever spilled a drop of water on the floor. With a waste collector hooked to one of these (as it should be), once the waste collector gets full (which you should not get to the point of anyway) it cuts off the bubbles so they can't overflow.

 

[20gallonreefer]

I have a dual chamber 48" MRC recirculating skimmer, Now I don't know if I'm doing anything wrong which I doubt I am because I have been in the hobby for a while now and had multiple skimmers but I have a 900 gph pump on it with the valve output valve located about 20" high and it goes right into my sump, shouldn't be any pressure or anything. Now the problem with it is I have to restrict the pump down to about 700 gph or the water level in the skimmer goes above the cup and wont stop coming out. I've disassembled it many times and cannot figure out why it does this but it just does.

The waste collector KathyC mentioned did not work for me because the bubbles kept the water level lower. When the waste collector cut the bubble flow the water would raise so high over the cup until the hose popped out of the waste collector because of the pressure.

I know still to this day cannot figure out why in the world this skimmer does this. It really has me thinking it is defying laws of gravity or something because when I look at it. going through 1" pvc (intake is 3/4" output is 1") with no pressure or anything and the water is just going up i seriously can't even imagine why it would be doing that. Now have dialed it in with the valve fully open with the intake pump running at about 700gph. foams up great and ha thick brown skimmate. I also just use a home depot bucket for watste with a float switch in it connected to my apex so when the waste raises up it will trip the switch and shut the pump so it doesn't overflow.

Anyway. Thats my luck with the MRC skimmer. It really is one of the best I've ever had. It just doesn't set up easily so you may have to fiddle with it for weeks before you get it right.

 

[KathyC]

I have a dual chamber 48" MRC recirculating skimmer, Now I don't know if I'm doing anything wrong which I doubt I am because I have been in the hobby for a while now and had multiple skimmers but I have a 900 gph pump on it with the valve output valve located about 20" high and it goes right into my sump, shouldn't be any pressure or anything. Now the problem with it is I have to restrict the pump down to about 700 gph or the water level in the skimmer goes above the cup and wont stop coming out. I've disassembled it many times and cannot figure out why it does this but it just does.

The waste collector KathyC mentioned did not work for me because the bubbles kept the water level lower. When the waste collector cut the bubble flow the water would raise so high over the cup until the hose popped out of the waste collector because of the pressure.

I know still to this day cannot figure out why in the world this skimmer does this. It really has me thinking it is defying laws of gravity or something because when I look at it. going through 1" pvc (intake is 3/4" output is 1") with no pressure or anything and the water is just going up i seriously can't even imagine why it would be doing that. Now have dialed it in with the valve fully open with the intake pump running at about 700gph. foams up great and ha thick brown skimmate. I also just use a home depot bucket for watste with a float switch in it connected to my apex so when the waste raises up it will trip the switch and shut the pump so it doesn't overflow.

Anyway. Thats my luck with the MRC skimmer. It really is one of the best I've ever had. It just doesn't set up easily so you may have to fiddle with it for weeks before you get it right.

If you are running it at 700gph, you have it installed incorrectly and that is why you are having issues. These skimmers require a pressure rated pump at a much higher GHP.

 

[MIKE NY]

I just used a 5 gallon water jug for a skimate collector...as Kathy mentioned when the skimate rose to a level in the jug to where the waste tubing from the collection cup entered it would just shut down the bubbles...never overflowed on me..also each beckett needs at least 900gph to be effective. Althought they perform better with a pressure rated pump I used both a Mag 18 and 24 on mine and worked well.

 

[ecvernon]

mrc makes great skimmers. but there are alot of more energy efficient option that you can choose from. Is there any reason for having to run external?

 

[Montaquelaveist]

i was trying to keep the heat down in the tank by keeping as many heat producing items out of the sump and i was wondering can i feed the pump from my main line off my hammerhead and then just add another for the recirculating and what would be a good pump for that

 

[20gallonreefer]

I know. But I still can't figure out why anything above 700gph makes it overflow with a wide open valve. It is not the beckett version btw its the older type. Even at 700gph it is still working just not the way it is supposed to I guess.

If you are running it at 700gph, you have it installed incorrectly and that is why you are having issues. These skimmers require a pressure rated pump at a much higher GHP.

 

[Reef Fixations]

The MR-2R is a great skimmer.

Depending on your water volume and/or skimming needs, you will need 1 of 3 different pressure rated pumps.

If we're talking Blueline pumps than the 55, 70 or 100. (1100gph, 1500gph or 1900gph).

That will be ran as your recirculating pump and that needs to be pressure rated.

Your Reeflo is NOT a pressure rated pump.

You can however use your Reeflow to feed the skimmer. As per MRC's recommendation, your flow rate to feed the skimmer should be 1-2 times your total water volume. The only thing is that you won't know exactly how man gallons/h are flowing thru it unless you put in a flowmeter.

In terms of my waste collector, it never popped a line and never leaked on the floor (hose clamps may help but I didn't use any). I ran mine with a BL55 and later a BL100. I also had an 8" reaction chamber riser which combined with BL1900 is "allegedly" rated for a heavily loaded 600 gallon system. I had it on a 500gph system and ran a mag9 to feed it which was probably more like 800gph after 18" of rise and 10 feet of flex PVC tubing.

In terms of this skimmer leaking all over the floor.... it is possible but IMO, unlikely. It is a sealed unit and my top never popped off and to my recollection, it didn't have vent holes on top like many skimmers do that often lead to something leaking on the floor. Skimmate can only go down to the collection cup.

I believe you can get 6"-30" reaction chamber extensions to increase it's ability and increase the contact time that the bubbles have with the water/proteins to work more efficiently.

 

[KathyC]

I know. But I still can't figure out why anything above 700gph makes it overflow with a wide open valve. It is not the beckett version btw its the older type. Even at 700gph it is still working just not the way it is supposed to I guess.

You should start your own thread regarding your issues with your skimmer, and best to include a pic of the skimmer you are talking about when doing so. We are discussing the Beckett type skimmer here and different issues.

 

[Montaquelaveist]

what about if i use my Iwaki WMD-40RLXT it is rated at 1200 GPH could i use that as the recirculating pump, also on a side note which is better to get the hammerhead by itself or the hybrid which can do both the hammerhead and the barracuda don't wanna buy something and then regret it later

 

[Reef Fixations]

Your best bet is to call MRC and tell them your needs so they can in turn tell you how to adapt your skimmer to best suit those needs.

Your pump is pressure rated but nowhere near as much as a Japanese Iwaki would be being that yours I believe is an American Iwaki version. (I could be wrong tho).

I'm pretty sure that a BL or Iwaki 55RLT is rated for 1100gph for double the head pressure that a 40RLXT is capable of. When I spoke to them, they told me to use either Iwaki or Blueline "pressure rated" pumps and they specifically spoke to me about the 55RLT and 100RLT and also told me to use 1-2x turnover of my total water volume to go thru it.

 

[MIKE NY]

You can use any combination of those pumps and as mentioned modifing the skimmer makes it perform even better...I used U-tubes in the box as well as risers on the becketts which increased the contact time..

I know. But I still can't figure out why anything above 700gph makes it overflow with a wide open valve. It is not the beckett version btw its the older type. Even at 700gph it is still working just not the way it is supposed to I guess.

Are you sure you have a MRC and not a MTC...as far as I'm aware MRC only made beckett style skimmers. I have the older version which is a beckett. Their 48" tall model is the MRC 6 which is a beckett style also. I think MTC made a non-beckett 48" skimmer ...MRC have a black box ..MTC use a clear box.

 

[Montaquelaveist]

so after some more research ive decided to go with the MR-2 instead of the Recirculating one trying to cut down on the amount of pumps i have to run and that one uses only one pump

 

[jmaquatic]

Hey Montaquelaveist seen your post about the MRC MR2R and i can say with out a problem this is the best skimmer i have ever used very easy to play with and pulls skimmet ( if that's a word ) like nothing i have seen before since you already made your mind up about not using 2 pumps i won't talk about that but what i will say is all MRC unit's are great and you do get the best bang for your buck. Good luck with your new skimmer and welcome to the MRC family lol

P.S

Once you have it running for a few weeks let me know how your running it ( wet or dry ) i have tried both myself and can not pick the best way to run it also if others that have already comment on this thread would like to post how they like to run there skimmers i would love to read about it

Thanks

Jonathan