Calling all Coralife Superskimmer Owners!!

[SteveNMegz]

Hey guys
We just picked up the coralife super skimmer 125 about a week ago, its producing good foam but we are having problems with microbubbles.... Right now we having it hanging on the back, and the microbubbles are coming from the bubble production diffuser (the box that the return line goes into)

We've tried adjusting and playing around with different methods to try and stop the bubbles but have had no luck. Everything was followed by the instructions also.

Any Solutions?
THANKS!!!

[VTGoody22]

I took out the white filter pad and replaced it with micro-fiber batting (used for quilting/stuffing pillows). I have to replace it every few days because it clogs up and causes the water to flow over the top of the box, but it definitely works!!!

[Runfrumu]

I had one too. I tried every kind of filter pad's there are and nothing stopped them when I used the skimmer hanging on the tank. They also escaped from around the pump where the intake attaches.

It's a good skimmer for the pricem but the mirco bubble thing is a pain.

[SteveNMegz]

Run
did you fix the problem or does it still do it because our skimmer the bubbles are coming from the bubble production defuser and also the intake pump...... such a pain!!!!!!!!

[mg426]

Thats the only thing mine ever produced.

[Runfrumu]

Originally posted by SteveNMegz
Run
did you fix the problem or does it still do it because our skimmer the bubbles are coming from the bubble production defuser and also the intake pump...... such a pain!!!!!!!!

After a few days the bubbles from the pump intake will subside. That black material they give you with the whole in it is actually pretty good at breaking up bubbles, but worthless with that hole. Find another piece and cut it the same size as the box and put it in by itself, have the hose about 1/4 of an inch above it to prevent splashing, the sponge stuff breaks up most of the bubbles. The cup will overflow easily if it is too deep in the tank too, so I had mine only an inch in or so.

Mine broke 2 shafts in the pump in the 5 months I had it, it really didnt affect performance, just made more noise at start-up. The best bet with that is to find a shaft the same length (fluval has one just a little shorter but will work) made from stainless.

The main reason I replaced it was that I drop my cup while cleaning it and chipped the part that seals on the o-ring and it started leaking so I cracked and bought a Tunze 9010 from my LFS, who sales them at great prices. Thing is tiny and quite and cleared up alot of room in the sump.

The coralife isnt a bad skimmer at all for the money though. It's a little tricky to dial in, a little too dependent on constant water levels.

[mg426]

For less than the money that they want for a CSS 220 now a days you can get an Octopus NW 200. To compare those two would truly be a Joke.

[dvlax40]

yeah it would, the CSS is better built. seriously do a 5 dollar gte valve mod and say good buy to micobubblesforever, i spent 110 on a used skimmer and a BRAND NEW needle wheel pump, best money ive ever spent, thing works better them skimmers costing twice as much

[mg426]

I would say it would handle a 17 gallon with no problem

[luke33]

Originally posted by dvlax40
yeah it would, the CSS is better built. seriously do a 5 dollar gte valve mod and say good buy to micobubblesforever, i spent 110 on a used skimmer and a BRAND NEW needle wheel pump, best money ive ever spent, thing works better them skimmers costing twice as much

Are you really saying a CSS is better built than an octo nw200? A gatevalve on a hot? And if you can find a gatevalve for 5bux, let the rest of us know please..........

The CSS are below avg at best. There constant fiddling and will overflow, which is the biggest problem. If run in sump, not a big deal but if your using it as a hot its a problem.

[mg426]

I have to agree, Just how much air can you run through that puny neck?? How much air will that pathetic pump pull?? Come on ????

[JCTewks]

Originally posted by dvlax40
yeah it would, the CSS is better built.....

You're joking right? I mean seriously....I curently have both running...and the CSS is built like crap! The collection cup flange broke on the CSS the second week I had it, and it produced almost no skimate until i modded the pump. THe Octo skimmed out of the box, skims like a champ modded, and is built as good or better than any of the skimmers out there in the under $600 range for a comparable 6-8" reaction chamber. I've mistreated my octo like you couldn't imagine, and it has never once been damaged. Actually, I don't recall hearing of anyone who has broken an octo skimmer...but i've heard of LOTS of folks with broken super skimmers.

Do you/Have you owned both skimmers?

[JCTewks]

Originally posted by mg426
I have to agree, Just how much air can you run through that puny neck?? How much air will that pathetic pump pull?? Come on ????

Actually, my rio that came with my CSS125 is pulling 8scfh after a quick mesh mod and jsut shoving an airline into the intake of the venturi.

BTW, since doing the meshmod I have had ZERO micro bubble problems...if you get enough air in there the flow goes down low enough that MB's are not an issue.

[littlefoot]

I had trouble at first also, but after talking to others here I replaced the filter in the black box with two of the double back filters(blue and white ones) put them in the black box. Make sure tubing is 1/4 inch above filter and raise that black thing with hole in it up until you don't see any bubbles overflowing. Eventually the microbubbles coming from those little vents in black box will dissapate.

[littlefoot]

Also make sure black box is above the pump.

[NewNanoDude]

When I was using mine as a hang on I tryed a bunch of stufff, finally put it in my sump with a sump sock on the exit hose. Works wonderful and NOOOOO microbubbles at all. You can buy the filter sock material at some stores, then if you or someone you know is handy with a needle and thread, have them make you a small sock. Would probably even look better then having that big bulky box in your tank.

[afernandez]

ive had this skimmer for a month now and its by far the worst one ive goten. i am looking to upgrade to a deltec but its expesive. question how often do u adjust it?

[SteveNMegz]

i havent had to adjust it yet after initially starting it up, its been 3 weeks and is skimming great, even when the water line drpos an inch, it runs fine, then i fill the tank back up and it runs fine

[tkeracer619]

Please put it in your sump. You don't want to deal with what a bunch of us already went through.

I "fixed" mine after it put 50g onto the floor for the 3rd time.