coralife super skimmer

[texmex]

I have a coralife skimmer that I am trying to get going but dont know what I am doing wrong I have it all hooked up right but the bubbles are not the micro bubbles they are big bubbles I have been trying to figure this out but my brain hurts now any suggestions? BTW this skimmer is used and I am trying this out in fresh water thanks

[dustint21]

They are a pain to use! I have the 65 model with a rio1100 on it. If is cleaned almost like it came out of the box than it doesnt work very well! The red dial should be turned all the way to the left! Use that as a starting point. SLOWLY turn the dial to the right until you start seeing bubbles flow over the top into the trap! I always turn mine back just a little after that! When mine is clean it works great!!! I have never had a problem as long as its clean! What pump are you using? If the needle wheel isnt clean it will also cause problems! Good luck!

[clone]

BTW this skimmer is used and I am trying this out in fresh water thanks[/QUOTE]

coral life super skimmers arent for fresh water tanks

[aquasport24]

The length of the tubing that connected the pump to the skimmer is important too. Your tubing may be too long, may need to cut it shorter (try cut cut it one inch at a time til it creating micro bubble). I had to do that to mine CSS 220 to make it works. Good luck.

[texmex]

They are a pain to use! I have the 65 model with a rio1100 on it. If is cleaned almost like it came out of the box than it doesnt work very well! The red dial should be turned all the way to the left! Use that as a starting point. SLOWLY turn the dial to the right until you start seeing bubbles flow over the top into the trap! I always turn mine back just a little after that! When mine is clean it works great!!! I have never had a problem as long as its clean! What pump are you using? If the needle wheel isnt clean it will also cause problems! Good luck!

I am using the same as you are. So your saying I should have the bubbles just below the edge of the top. It all seems to be pretty clean.

[aquasport24]

BTW this skimmer is used and I am trying this out in fresh water thanks

coral life super skimmers arent for fresh water tanks[/QUOTE]

Ditto, did not read that part .

[texmex]

BTW this skimmer is used and I am trying this out in fresh water thanks

coral life super skimmers arent for fresh water tanks[/QUOTE]

not going to be used in fresh water just testing it there

[aquasport24]

It's works better if you tested in salt water.

[texmex]

It's works better if you tested in salt water.

Thank you thats why I put that I did not know if it made a difference weather or not it is in fresh or salt water.

[glennr1978]

it won't create microbubbles in fresh water. CSS's are good little skimmers if set / used correctly.

not bad for skimmer that "sucks"...

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/glennr1978/DSC00685.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/glennr1978/DSC00687.jpg

CSS125 on my 40g.

[dustint21]

I didnt catch that either! Wait to setup the skimmer until its in saltwater! the micro bubbles should stop at the bottom of the neck! There will be foamy bubbles on top of those! They should overflow into the cup slowly!

[texmex]

cool thanks guys and those are some pretty nasty picks you got there glad I got this skimmer

[aquasport24]

Thanks Dustin for the pics....it was trying to eat my lunch....lol

[dustint21]

LOL! That wasnt me it was Glennr1978! Thats makes a great jelly though!

[glennr1978]

It smells lovely too. Rotten eggs have nothing on that stuff!!!

TMBS, in case you aren't planning to already, I HIGHLY recommend you use the CSS in a sump. If that's not an option, and ATO is a must.

These skimmers can work very well, but they can be a PITA too if the water level fluctuates.

[ErikH]

I loved my CSS. Just dry skim and you'll be fine. They really do work well ime.

[mdavis735]

my brother in law just bought a css 220 for $50.it is like brand new.seems to work very well.i was gonnna add the fresh water part,but was beat to it several times.every used skimmer i have used i ran outside in freshwater with maybe a little muratic acid.lol.none have ever produced microbubbles.so i kinda figured out that skimmers dont seem to work in fresh water

[Kyle46N]

I'll jump in and say the CSS is a good skimmer. I have had one for about three years now. Like they mentioned, adjust the tubing between the pump and skimmer. Makes a huge difference. The only complaint I have about this skimmer is the little porcelin shaft inside the impellor part of the pump. This thing breaks way too easy when trying to clean out the impellor. And it sucks having to buy a new impellor every time.

[tony]

lol, i hated mine

[Submariner]

Best thing I ever did to mine was to detach the silencer from the air intake tubing and attached a cheap air pump. I read about it on a mod thread for these skimmers. Works great! I wouldn't bother with the fish line around the needle wheel trick, it did nothing for me.

[Mr Cob]

Here's what I did to my SS220:

I added a 1300gph CA venturi 4000 pump that added a ton of micro bubbles. With the dial knob fully open on the skimmer the micro bubbles were over flowing the collection cup so I added an air line hose and control valve in order to put the micro bubbles in check. Skimmer is working SUper efficiently! :) This pic was taken after only a couple of hours of the modifications.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a43/quellyo/CIMG1406.jpg

[aquasport24]

Very well moded Rob..btw nice skimmer.

[Mr Cob]

Very well moded Rob..btw nice skimmer.

Thanks...I appreciate the good deal on it! I've been happy with it for the price!

[dustint21]

I have been thinking about drilling the side of my cup for a fitting! I would like to add a 2 liter container to collect the waste! I just havent found the right container yet! NO I will not use a coke bottle! LMAO!

[dustint21]

O and nice skimmer Rob wish mine was that bigger!

[wwarriner]

Wow glenn. I have a CSS 125 on my 40g breeder and my skimmate looks nothing like yours!!! But of course, I don't have nearly the coral yet.

[wwarriner]

And, where did you get the pump for the mod to your CSS?

[glennr1978]

Wow glenn. I have a CSS 125 on my 40g breeder and my skimmate looks nothing like yours!!! But of course, I don't have nearly the coral yet.

you probably don't have 11 fish either!!
I've got 6 green chromis, 1 purple firefish, 2 true percs, 1 small yellow tang, and 1 McCoskers flasher wrasse.

[Mr Cob]

And, where did you get the pump for the mod to your CSS?


I bought the 1300gph CA venturi 4000 pump from ebay.