For those who have the Coralife protein skimmer

[DedElvis]

Sorry if this has already been posted - it didn't show up in my search or the thread recommendations.

This (V2 with needle wheel - not the airstone version) is actually working for me. Admittedly, I received it with my Biocube bundle. My tank is still maturing and here is what I have found.

Check it daily. Turn the bubbles DOWN. It DOES work.

As with any skimmer water level and bubbles matter. The Coralife is no exception - thing is it hides nicely in the back portion of your aquarium. I've seen a bunch of negative reviews. Here is my take and experience. Turn the bubbles NEARLY to off. Yep completely off, then on an 8th of a turn. Enough to see bubbles you'd never guess would produce anything. I check it daily, but I'm getting skimmate I'm nearly afraid to dump on my bushes.

If you run it full-tilt-boogie you'll get cups of water. Anyway I hope this helps anyone just getting this skimmer.

DE

 

[SPR1968]

I can bump the thread as it might help someone

 

[DedElvis]

I can bump the thread as it might help someone

Thanks Shaun! I'd just read a lot of negative reviews on Amazon. I guess the only downside is I have (need) to check it daily. Sometimes nothing, sometimes a cup full of water. After I turned the bubbles down I am getting some REALLY funky stuff I am glad to remove

 

[DLJTWO]

Sorry if this has already been posted - it didn't show up in my search or the thread recommendations.

This (V2 with needle wheel - not the airstone version) is actually working for me. Admittedly, I received it with my Biocube bundle. My tank is still maturing and here is what I have found.

Check it daily. Turn the bubbles DOWN. It DOES work.

As with any skimmer water level and bubbles matter. The Coralife is no exception - thing is it hides nicely in the back portion of your aquarium. I've seen a bunch of negative reviews. Here is my take and experience. Turn the bubbles NEARLY to off. Yep completely off, then on an 8th of a turn. Enough to see bubbles you'd never guess would produce anything. I check it daily, but I'm getting skimmate I'm nearly afraid to dump on my bushes.

If you run it full-tilt-boogie you'll get cups of water. Anyway I hope this helps anyone just getting this skimmer.

DE

Thanks for sharing your experience. My wife bought this for me for Christmas for my 32g biocube and I love it. Great advice on the needle setting because I've been trying to dial mine in for a few weeks. I will give your advice a shot.

I too read all the negative reviews and then saw an excellent review on YouTube and decided to try it out. It hasn't disappointed.

 

[lubeck]

I’m going to try this. I hope the bubbles go away though.

 

[DedElvis]

Thanks for sharing your experience. My wife bought this for me for Christmas for my 32g biocube and I love it. Great advice on the needle setting because I've been trying to dial mine in for a few weeks. I will give your advice a shot.

I too read all the negative reviews and then saw an excellent review on YouTube and decided to try it out. It hasn't disappointed.

Hi TheSoloist,

The skimmer has yet to let me down. In fact, I am wondering if I am doing enough mechanical filtration. I am having to dump the cup every 2-3 days, and the skimmate is dark brown/green. At any rate, that muck I am dumping is being removed from my aquarium - so I am happy! For the money, I am VERY satisfied. Back in the 90's with my first marine tank I bought a CPR Backpack with money I should have spent elsewhere. This "Cheap" skimmer is fertilizing my lawn. I am very happy with it.

 

[DedElvis]

I’m going to try this. I hope the bubbles go away though.

Tune it down to where you barely have bubbles. They will pick up on their own. Good luck lubeck!

 

[adaniel1990]

Has anyone experienced a lot of micro bubbles coming out of the bottom? I just bought this and that’s all I’m getting.

 

[DedElvis]

Has anyone experienced a lot of micro bubbles coming out of the bottom? I just bought this and that’s all I’m getting.

Turn it down to nothing, then turn up to first evidence of bubbles.

 

[DedElvis]

Has anyone experienced a lot of micro bubbles coming out of the bottom? I just bought this and that’s all I’m getting.

Are you running skimmer in tank, or in rear?

 

[adaniel1990]

Turn it down to nothing, then turn up to first evidence of bubbles.

I have but still a lot of micro bubbles coming from the bottom. Here’s a pic

 

[adaniel1990]

Are you running skimmer in tank, or in rear?

Skimmer is in tank because this can supposedly be used in a standard tank

 

[lubeck]

Has anyone experienced a lot of micro bubbles coming out of the bottom? I just bought this and that’s all I’m getting.

Tons of bubbles but I didn’t have the patience to let it break in. I ended up turning it off. The bubbles were going to cause more harm then good since I’m cycling and I have algae bloom, adding micro bubbles to the mix didn’t seem like a good idea.

I’m going to try and go skimmerless. But I’m not gonna get rid of the skimmer until I know water changes will be sufficient.