Super Skimmer Rocks!
 

Coralife's new Super Skimmer is effective, but it leaks from various knobs and overflows without warning.

I have been using an Aqua C Remora Pro on my 90 gal reef tank and it has been ok but finicky. Now that I added a Mag 5 the aqua C skims better.

The Super Skimmer has a valve on the outflow which allows me to fine tune whether I get wet or dry skimmate. It can be a HOB or sump skimmer. It comes with a Rio 1100 pump.

The key is to cut the tubing so the pump sits right below the water surface.

Any other reviews out there?

Here is a huge thread on them... I'm really tossed between this one and a ASM. I know the ASM's are better, but for the price difference, I'm not sure...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...r&pagenumber=1

Walter

just read that thread, I may get one of these for my nano... Raq any pics of your in use?

can you post a pic of how you have it setup? and how much was it?

tx

Where did you buy it and how much $$$?

Which model?
Venturi? or needle wheel?

Hi All, It cost $150 for the 65 gal model (the smallest) at Kind Ed's. They also have a 125 gal and a 220 gal. The 220 gal model is venturi, the others are needle wheel.

King Ed's has the best prices so far but I see that J & L will beat prices by 10% if I read their ad on thier site correctly. Although I am not sure they carry them yet.

It is needle wheel technology. At First it was a bit noisier than my Aqua C Remora Pro but now it has quieted down or I am just more used to it. The only prob is that you have to shut it off to clean the collection cup. To empty the cup I just place a small hose in the hole at the top and siphon the skimmate into the sink.

I dont have a dig cam yet so I cant post pics but there are some great pics on reefcentral. Just go to the link posted above. Thanks for that by the way.

Hope this helps.

Raq

do you have yours mounted externaly?

Yep, mine is HOB.

thats it, im going to pick one up.

I just went to King Ed's today and they come in 65 gal - needle wheel ($149), 125 gal needle wheel ($225) and 220 gal (venturi).

I still love mine!

Raq

i take it the venturi would be better than the needle wheel?

No, needle wheel is way better....

Walter

Update

I just found an issue with the Superskimmer. It is still skimming great but the dial on the outflow has to be just right otherwise when you change your water level the thing goes crazy. And it has no overflow protection like the Aqua C Remora. So...water spills out from the top, everywhere! Yikes!

Also you have to shut it off to remove and clean the collection cup.
I think also they should make the outflow tube longer. The way it is now the outflow comes out right where the intake pump sits.

There's my 2 cents worth.

Raquel

I've had mine running now for about 3-1/2 weeks on a 33 gal, curing some Vanuatu rock. Anyways I'll try and post a couple of pics that I took after 48hours of use (I'm new here so I'll try to upload some pics). This is really my first skimmer and I'm really impressed by it. After reading numerous posts about other skimmers, I thought for $114.00, hey roll the dice. Also I had read that reef central post that was indicated above by Walter and it really sold me. It is very sensitive to water changes and you'll get an awefull mess if you don't dial it back. I havn't done any mods to it other than reducing the whistling that comes from the air-silencer. All and all, I'm really happy with my purchase.

Here is a photo of the HOB setup.
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/dat...s-48hr-med.JPG

and here is a close up of the collection cup 48hours after setting it up.
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/dat...-48hrs-med.JPG

Ha, ha, ha, sorry about the size folks. I'm not sure why the photos are "Mini Me" sized :question:

Edit the url and remove the "-thumb" and it should show the big pics.. :cool:

Masked Reefer - Where did you get it for $114. Did you get the 65 gal model?

Nice Price.

Raq

pics fixed....kinda :razz:

Nice set up. Your pump looks like it is too far below the water level. Try raising it up to just below.

Raquel

Hey Raquel, how deep is your pump? I went with what the manual says, about 8inches below the water level.
I really want to let this skimmer run but I am just to affraid to.
Any new tips on set up or mods?

[img]http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...3Image0008.jpg

[/img]

Thanks Muck and reef_raf for the heads up and help on the photo upload.

raquel, I purchased the 65gal version at J&L's.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...ct_ID=ps-c3000

Yes, it's totally too low. I just don't want to cut that wonderful black hose that comes with it, ha, ha, ha. I keep going to Rona to pick up stuff, ya think that I'd remember to pick up some 5/8" I.D hose? :rolleyes: I am also planning to place it into a sump when I set up my 65gal tank, so that length will work perfectly for that application.

Anyways, it's totally working fine for me right now. It did however take a while to adjust to the low pump height.

Did yours come with the following valve?

I was told by J&L that Coralife started providing it because people were complaining that the pump was too powerful. :eek:

I will not be using "the valve". :mrgreen: ha, ha, ha

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/dat...known_part.JPG

That valve comes with the pump. If you were to buy a Rio pump I believe it comes in the box. Since Coralife probably gets them with the pump they just throw it in. That what I think any way.

Im not going to use it, but I have if I need it.

Hi All, I didnt get that valve. The pump isnt too powerful so I wont miss it.

Yes, definitely raise your pump to within 2 inches of the surface. Protein Skimmers work better when the pumps are close to the surface.

Masked Reefer - You got a steal at $114. J & L's wins again! The 65 gal version was $149 at King Eds. I also overpaid for high compact florescent bulbs at King Eds, so I am starting to get miffed :mad:

Oh well, live and learn.

Raq

I dont think I can move the pump up any more. The big stupid bubble trap is in the way. I could go up about 1 inch. I will also be putting mine in a sump pretty soon, so for now I will leave as is.
If the skimmer works best with the pump up high, why does the manual say to put the pump on the bottom in a sump?

I am not sure about sumps but I assume that the water level isnt too high in them anyway, but I think the water is drained from the top before it goes to the sump. Anyone else have ideas about this.

So that little valve I said I doubt I'd use, well I installed it on my skimmer about 1/2 ago.
For the first time the skimmer isn't flooding my collection cup in a few minutes. I can see that this valve reduces the bubble production by a bit, but I also have the pump turned down to half throttle. I will leave it at this setting for the next day or so. I will then start fine tuning the setup. I want to get maximun bubble action without flooding my collection cup. Once the skimmer has "broken in" I should be able to turn up the pump.
I will keep you posted.
Adding this valve has also raised up my pump so the intake sits just under the bubble trap.
The skimmer is already making some nice foam, I now want to see the black death it will pull out.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...5Image0001.jpg
[img][/img]

I have water leaking out from under the red adjustment knob. I had noticed water there a few days ago, but I figured I had splashed it there. It is actually bubbling out, any one else have this problem?
[img]http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...5Image0003.jpg[/img]

Mine did the same thing at first. I was getting alot of foam and water pouring over into the collection cup . I also gave the main chamber and riser tube a good scrubbing with hot water before plugging it in. It will settle down just give it a bit of time.

I havn't had this happen yet, but I have had it when water was bubbling out of the output tubing vent hole. Check yours to make sure that nothing is blocking it. I think in your photo you have the bubble diffuser box sitting too high above the water line. This is probably causing too much back pressure. But I'm surprised that it isn't comming out of the output tubing vent hole? Try lowering it and see what happens. You'll need to move it to the right though so it doesn't hit the top of your pump. I'll try and post a photo. Just need to get some batteries for the camera.

I know its not the back pressure causing the leaking. I took off the 90 degree elbow with the flex tubing, the water was still leaking out of the adjusting knob.

If I lower the bubble box, too many bubbles enter the tank. So I like the height of it as it is.
I have emailed Coralife to see what they say, I may end up returning this skimmer for a new one.

Sorry to hear that. :sad: I know I hate it when I buy something and it's not working from the get go. Hopefully you can still return it.

I know what you mean, I'll still shop around locally or online to try and find what I'm looking for. Usually J&L's has it and at a better price even with shipping.

I paid $130 at golds here in Calgary. I was going to buy it off of bigalsonline, but they wanted 160

I may try to mod the valve myself, if the ABS plastic is the same OD as PVC sch40 pipe I may just cut the return pipe just under the valve. Then glue in a ball valve and a few elbows. Presto, a better working non leaking skimmer. The ball valve should allow finer adjustments.

Hi all, Well I emailed Coralife about all my leaks, including leaks from the outake knob, and they say it is because of back pressure.

Here is their email to me;
Thank you, for your most recent purchase of our Coralife Super Skimmer. We are sorry to hear about your experience with our product. It does sound like the skimmer is not set up properly though. The way you wrote your email I understand that you are probably having water come out the air vent on top of the output tubing. If this is the case it sounds as if the bubble trap is not set up properly. You will want to make sure that the top of the bubble trap is at the same level as your water line of the aquarium or 1/16" above. Make sure your black sponge is on top and the white sponge is on the bottom. Then make sure the end of your outlet tubing is no more than 1/2" to 1" in the black sponge (you may have to cut the tubing). What was happening is the skimmer had back pressure on the outlet hose. Since protein skimmers are not pressurized system the only way for water to get out is through the collection cup. That is probably why you where having problems. The other item we include with the model 65 Super Skimmer is a flow control valve. If the outlet is set up properly and you are still having problems attach the flow valve to the outlet of the water pump and valve it back a little.
Is your output tubing under water? If so that could be some of the problem. The only way for water to go into the collection cup is because the output has back pressure on it and its not able to get rid of the water going in the unit. The only other problem I can think of is if you do not have the tubing going out and down right away this will also cause back pressure. The output tubing can not run horizontally. Otherwise if none of this is the problem then you can either return it to the company you bought it from or return it to us for a replacement.

So there it is.

Hope it helps.

I sent them an email saying that too many leaks are happening from too many places. They just suggested I return it and get another one. I think the design as it stands needs some adjusting.

Outafocus, mine leaks from the knob too.

I just have a huge bucket under mine so I can sleep at night.

By the way, why not turn your pump around so it draws water away from the clean water coming out of the bubble trap.

Raq

I have adjusted the bubble trap to what coralife suggests and I will be keeeping an eye on it. So far so good.

I found that having the pump sit in this orientation allows more bubble trap adjustment. I am able to lower the trap down more and have the pump higher.
I have enough flow in my tank that any water coming out of the bubble trap doesnt stick around long enough to get recirculated back through.
Once I actually get my tank drilled and a sump set up, I wouldnt even worry about the leak around the knob. But because its hanging on the tank I dont want water on the floor.

I believe there is some minor flaws in the design, just little things. Like the bubble trap and pump, they are so close together that you cant adjust one with out disturbing the other. The valve its self is of poor design, a ball or gate valve would be more precise. I dont even know what to call this valve?
Im wondering if I should have just stuck with my AquaC remora. The remora can not overflow, requires no adjustment, and the collection cup can be emptied without turning off the pump. The only thing I didnt like on the remora was the skimmate, never very dark.
But at half the remoras price I think I can make the CSS work for me.

It has been over an hour and no leaks.
I may actually go out today and leave the skimmer running.