Coralife super skimmer mods

PSH · 03-24-2007, 08:19 AM

I started to post this a few days ago but decided to give the skimmer more time so I could see if it was consistent. Just to note this is on a 75 gallon mixed reef and the skimmer was set up without the air silencer and without the bubble trap. I have seen that a few people on other sites modded there impellers with fishing line. So started with that mod. Fairly simple to do. All I used was some 6 lb. fishing line and wrapped the crap out of the impeller. It definitely seemed like the bubbles were smaller, but I didn't seem to get anymore skim mate.

Now the other thing I did was added a new skimmer return pipe. Ever notice that your skimmed water dumps pretty much right back on top of your skimmer pump? Every get tired of all the micro bubbles that your CSS dumps? How about all the salt creep? Well I have my return going back to the first chamber of my sump.

I was somewhat worried about too much back pressure on the skimmer. But it seems to be working. In three days I get about a half gallon of dark nasty stuff.

This is where I have my water level set. As you can see I have my water level set just at the neck of the collection cup.

Next mod I think I will try is a home made venturi with larger air line. Then possibly a pump swap using a sedra with a mesh mod. I know a few of you out there use these skimmer so I hope this helps you.

***Rob*** · 03-25-2007, 03:59 AM

so you got 1/2 gallon in three days.. in the stat of your post you mentioned you haven't seen and increase in skimmate...

is this 1/2 gallon normal or more?

PSH · 03-25-2007, 09:07 PM

I use to get a half gallon a week. Now it's a full gallon a week.

keyozoxmfc · 03-26-2007, 01:34 AM

ALRIGHT! FINALLY ! i have this skimmer as well.

i think i might try the fishing line one, and maybe do the PVC return. i was thinking about doing that but i want to get a above tank sump instead so i never did it.

and is that how high you keep your water level? because thats really high! i keep mine down in the neck roughly half way up. any high seems to come out as mostly water.

and your skimmate....is it thick or watery? mine is usually dark but straight liquid.

petunia · 03-26-2007, 01:12 PM

mine is the same way mark. is your's new? my friend has to keep his wide open and he thinks it is because his he has had it for a while.

keyozoxmfc · 03-26-2007, 08:15 PM

uhh mine has been running on a tank with LR corals and some clean up crew for about 6 months now

wakbrdfr · 03-27-2007, 12:39 PM

Nice mod, I'm going to have to try it. My bubble trap works though and the return, I believe is not just circulating back into the skimmer. I will have to try the fishing wire!

keyozoxmfc · 03-27-2007, 10:54 PM

i dont use the bubble trap because it gets really gross and algae-ie

wakbrdfr · 03-28-2007, 10:47 AM

Wow, I have had mine for over a year and never had that issue. I just have to rotate the sponge in the trap and clean it out, but I have never had algae in it.

keyozoxmfc · 03-28-2007, 08:54 PM

either way, its a nitrate factory right?

wakbrdfr · 03-29-2007, 11:31 AM

Not sure about that and not saying your wrong, does anyone else have a say in this?

**wwest** · 03-29-2007, 10:10 PM

I think anything can be a nitrate factory. Mechanical filters are factories as well but if you keep them clean and don't let anything build up or collect then there fine, if you never clean them and just change the filter then yes they are factories. I believe bubble traps are the same situation. Just my 3 cents.