Coralife Super Skimmer 65

[ed102475]

I just bought a used Coralife Super Skimmer 65 for $40.00 what are some mods to help this thing be more efficient?

[Juruense]

Clean it well, maybe make a custom bubble diffuser. Do not put mesh or fishing line on the needle wheel. You will just imbalance the rotating assembly and mess it up with no additional bubble production.

[kel2682]

Try this by Tyler seem to work for him the other thing is try not using any bubble diffuser it will help level it out.....
http://www.tylermerrick.com/content/css_notes.php

[gdavis17]

I actually bought that CSS65 from Tyler and have had it running on my 37 cube for about 2 years now. His mods work great. I tried the fishing line pump mod and it destroyed my pump, so don't do that one. The best advice I can give you is clean it regularly. The venturi clogs frequently and greatly reduces the bubble population.

[ed102475]

It seems to be doing fine. I have it in the sump with a small tea pitcher with small holes drilled in the bottom under the return to stop bubbles.

[gdavis17]

I'm glad to hear you're using it in your sump and not a hang on. They do overflow if you don't monitor the collection cup.

[Marsfrogie]

You can hook the venturi air line to the top of the collection cup. (Drill a hole in the lid.) This pulls moist air into the venturi and helps prevent calcium buildup in the venturi. It also has a side effect of evaporating the skimmate so that you don't have to empty the collection cup as often. I also have had one of those pump bite the dust after the mesh mod so I do not recommend it.

[Juruense]

Wow! SEVEN posts and we have yet to see the Coralife haters in the thread saying what junk Coralife is and how we should all buy thousand dollar skimmers instead...

[EddieJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14777526#post14777526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Juruense
Wow! SEVEN posts and we have yet to see the Coralife haters in the thread saying what junk Coralife is and how we should all buy thousand dollar skimmers instead...

LOL!! The skimmer elite have not found this thread.

I have a CSS125 and hell, it works pretty much flawlessly. Pulls out cup after cup of dark nasty muck. They are a little touchy on the adjustment side, but when broken in they run well.

[Marsfrogie]

i love mine (css125)

[mg426]

I had a CSS 220 several years ago. Without a doubt is was the most miserable worthless piece of junk that I have ever owned.

[ed102475]

Their here.The first css hater.O yes I would love to have $1000.00
to spend on a skimmer that will pull twice as much skim as my $40.00 used CSS!I Think i can make it work with the CSS.

[otrlynn]

I had one on my 58 gallon tank for a year. It pulled a fairly good amount of dark crud. The main drawback is that they are finicky to get dialed in correctly. Once you get a feeling for how to adjust the red knob on the top, I think you will be okay. Like many skimmers, they have a tendency to overskim if you put oily fish food, epoxy, or any other foreign matter in the tank. Keep the bubble level low until you get a feel for how it runs, especially if you are leaving your house for a period of time. I did not mod the one I was using and it produced plenty of skimmate. I think you got your money's worth.

[Marsfrogie]

Don't hate on the CSS haters. The more CSS haters there are the more deals we will get on used CSS parts. If you put it in a sump with controlled water level and don't use the bubble diffuser you will have few problems. Anyone have any recommendations on how to thoroughly clean the inside of the lower chamber? Mine has a LOT of stuff growing/stuck to the inside.

[ed102475]

Don't hate on the CSS haters. The more CSS haters there are the more deals we will get on used CSS parts. If you put it in a sump with controlled water level and don't use the bubble diffuser you will have few problems.

lol...Its in the sump no bubble diffuser and a ATO hooked up.

[Marsfrogie]

Lol, it could actually be beneficial for our purposes to perpetrate the idea that CSS skimmers are complete trash.

[ed102475]

I am thinking of drilling a hole in the bottom of the collection cup and running a tube to a gal. jug.

[otrlynn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14781402#post14781402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marsfrogie
Anyone have any recommendations on how to thoroughly clean the inside of the lower chamber? Mine has a LOT of stuff growing/stuck to the inside.

I used a long skinny brush (check the LFS or baby dept. for brush used to clean inside of baby bottles). Where that would not reach, I rubber-banded a small piece of rag around the handle of a long wooden spoon--could use a dowel as well. I could clean 95% of it pretty well using this method. I used vinegar and hot water for cleaning, then rinsed well.

[kel2682]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14781523#post14781523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ed102475
I am thinking of drilling a hole in the bottom of the collection cup and running a tube to a gal. jug.
Not a bad Idea The 125 and 225 Have the hole already and I hooked mine up to a gal water jug in all fairness they are not the best but I also got mine used for 20 $ so for the price on used CSS you cant beat em