Anyone have experience with this skimmer??????

STEELERFAN747 · 09/14/2013, 06:47 PM

I found a listing for a CAD lights pipeless protein skimmer that only has a 4.75" x 4.75" foot print and was wondering if anyone has one and what you think about it if you do.

Thanks guys

raynist · 09/14/2013, 10:23 PM

http://bit.ly/16u1SFc

Just in a dicky mood

I have the pls-100 and really like it. It is whisper quiet and works great.

dkeller_nc · 09/15/2013, 06:44 AM

I have the original design for the pipeless skimmer from CADlights. While it certainly works, I would suggest that you avoid it.

The original design is extremely touchy to adjust the water level inside the skimmer, and depending on the water level in the sump chamber that you have it in, the upper body has a tendency to float, which screws up the touchy adjustments that you just made to the water level.

Also, the pumps that they put into these skimmers are Chinese made and relatively inexpensive (in other words, cheap). That's not necessarily an indictment of CADlights - lots of lower end skimmer manufacturers use no-name Chinese needle wheel pumps. But I had to get CADlights to replace my pump within a couple of months of putting it into operation, and the replacement is now making a lot of noise, so I'm not expecting it to last all that long.

If you would like a budget skimmer that still gives you an extremely high quality pump, take a look at Seaside Aquatics - they take a Bubble Magus skimmer body (Chinese), and substitute an extremely high-quality Sicce needle wheel skimmer pump:

http://www.seasideaquatics.com/?p=216

Be aware, though, that they also sell Bubble Magus skimmers with the original equipment Chinese "Atman" pump - just be sure of what you're ordering.

09/14/2013, 06:47 PM	#1
STEELERFAN747 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Miami Fl. Posts: 1,252	Anyone have experience with this skimmer?????? I found a listing for a CAD lights pipeless protein skimmer that only has a 4.75" x 4.75" foot print and was wondering if anyone has one and what you think about it if you do. Thanks guys __________________ First they said "practice makes perfect", then they told me "nobody's perfect", so I just stopped practicing. Current Tank Info: 46g, 22" rimless starphire ReefSavvy cube, Speedwave DC 790 return pump, Custom acrylic sump/fuge, set of Tunze 6055 PH's with multi controller 7095, Cadlights PLS-100 skimmer, Apex controller, Tunze osmolator & Maxspect Razor 120w led light fixture

09/14/2013, 10:23 PM	#2
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	http://bit.ly/16u1SFc Just in a dicky mood I have the pls-100 and really like it. It is whisper quiet and works great.

09/15/2013, 06:44 AM	#3
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	I have the original design for the pipeless skimmer from CADlights. While it certainly works, I would suggest that you avoid it. The original design is extremely touchy to adjust the water level inside the skimmer, and depending on the water level in the sump chamber that you have it in, the upper body has a tendency to float, which screws up the touchy adjustments that you just made to the water level. Also, the pumps that they put into these skimmers are Chinese made and relatively inexpensive (in other words, cheap). That's not necessarily an indictment of CADlights - lots of lower end skimmer manufacturers use no-name Chinese needle wheel pumps. But I had to get CADlights to replace my pump within a couple of months of putting it into operation, and the replacement is now making a lot of noise, so I'm not expecting it to last all that long. If you would like a budget skimmer that still gives you an extremely high quality pump, take a look at Seaside Aquatics - they take a Bubble Magus skimmer body (Chinese), and substitute an extremely high-quality Sicce needle wheel skimmer pump: http://www.seasideaquatics.com/?p=216 Be aware, though, that they also sell Bubble Magus skimmers with the original equipment Chinese "Atman" pump - just be sure of what you're ordering.