My Coral Box D500 finally arrived

Webmanny · 03/12/2015, 08:02 PM

Hey guys and gals,

This is my initial review of the Coral Box D500 skimmer. I just received it via DHL. It took a bit of time since it was out of stock, but it is finally here.

The packaging it top notch. Lots of foam, bubble tubes and protection. This thing is very well made. The plastic is thicker than other skimmers I've seen and feels much stronger.

I'll be hooking it up over the weekend and I'll post a formal review and experience here soon after I install it.

For now, I'll leave you with a quick picture I took after assembly.

robthorn · 03/12/2015, 08:07 PM

Pretty.

bigzman · 03/13/2015, 06:12 AM

Keep us posted..I hope they make a bigger one than the d700

reefcrazy0821 · 03/13/2015, 06:56 AM

I don't think you will be disapointed at all. I have the D300 running on my 40b with 20L sump. Runs flawlessly, dead silent, pulls out good skimate, extremely easy to make adjusters... I have mine running in about 7.5" of water on speed 4 with the adjuster 3/4 of the way open. If you have any questions about it feel free to ask.

Webmanny · 03/13/2015, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefcrazy0821

I don't think you will be disapointed at all. I have the D300 running on my 40b with 20L sump. Runs flawlessly, dead silent, pulls out good skimate, extremely easy to make adjusters... I have mine running in about 7.5" of water on speed 4 with the adjuster 3/4 of the way open. If you have any questions about it feel free to ask.

This is awesome news. Thank you for the feedback. Before I bought this one I was a bit concerned because I could not find any reviews on it, but I;m very happy to hear about your experience and I appreciate your offer for help. I will keep you all posted over the weekend.

reefcrazy0821 · 03/13/2015, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webmanny

This is awesome news. Thank you for the feedback. Before I bought this one I was a bit concerned because I could not find any reviews on it, but I;m very happy to hear about your experience and I appreciate your offer for help. I will keep you all posted over the weekend.

No problem at all. I was also on the fence about it also due to the lack of reviews on it, but I'm not one bit upset about buying it.

Webmanny · 03/19/2015, 03:27 PM

Update:

Skimmer doing great. Awesome skimmate so far and still during break in period. Here are some pictures.

Jade5051 · 05/09/2015, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webmanny

Update:

Skimmer doing great. Awesome skimmate so far and still during break in period. Here are some pictures.

Any update on the performance of this skimmer?

Webmanny · 05/10/2015, 06:29 AM

Hey there,

I'm super happy with the performance of this skimmer. It is still super quiet and pulling great skimate. I'm very glad I went with this one. Even thought it is oversized for my tank and there are a few hours a day where it does not produce skimate, it still pulls a very dark and thick skimate every day.

I highly recommend it. The thing I love the most about it, is the ease of adjustment, both on the pump and the skimmer itself.

Jade5051 · 05/11/2015, 09:10 PM

Show us that nasty skimmate!? :-)

Travis1787 · 05/11/2015, 09:12 PM

Nice looking Skimmer

Webmanny · 05/12/2015, 06:58 AM

Hey guys,

This is a more recent picture of the skimate. Please note that this skimmer is way oversize for my tank and the reason I got it was because I plan to upgrade or rather combine two tanks into the existing sump and then it will be a better match.

The results of getting an oversize skimmer are very obvious.

The skimmer pump can be dialed down and is not running at 100% capacity, which is good.
The collection cup doesn't fill up as quick as my SCA301 did before. I empty my collection cup once a week instead of every other day. This is great, but the collection cup stinks really bad once I empty it.
The skimmer does not produce skimate all day long. Since it doesn't have the bio load that it was built for, it only produces skimate for a few hours a day. Some will say this is bad, since it is wasting energy running while not producing skimate, but I don't think I care much.

My honest review so far is... I love this skimmer and I highly recommend it to anyone. This is the fourth skimmer I've owned and it is by far the best I have seen.

My list of skimmers I've owned in the past
HOB eBay Chinese skimmer = Piece of crap that worked for about 2 months well and then just stopped
Coralife Super Skimmer 65 HOB = Extremely large for the capacity, loud and not that efficient at producing skimate.
SCA-301 65 Gallon Protein Skimmer (in Sump) = Good skimmer, but not really built for 65 gallon tank. I had this on a 36 gallon and it was not powerful/efficient enough.
Coral Box D500 DC Skimmer (In Sump) = Great skimmer, adjustable pump, adjustable water flow gate, feeding setup, easy to assemble, super quiet and great price.

This is the collection cup 2 days after I cleaned it up.

sfoister · 05/13/2015, 01:54 PM

This is the only group of people on the planet that will salivate over a cup of fish poop.

This is your safe place.

Webmanny · 05/13/2015, 04:16 PM

LOL. True.

d0ughb0y · 07/14/2015, 12:20 PM

where did you buy and how much?
tnx.

Webmanny · 07/14/2015, 01:00 PM

I got it at Fish-Street and I think they go for $170 plus shipping, but you should check with a local fish store to see if they have them or something similar in stock. Shipping is kind of expensive and they take some time to ship it to you.

Having said that, I love this skimmer and it has performed flawlessly so far.

fed.gallardo · 07/14/2015, 02:08 PM

Hi, I just placed an order for one of these. I have a 75 Gallon with a 40 Gallon Sump. Cant wait as my previous skimmer is really difficult to keep tuned.

Webmanny · 07/14/2015, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fed.gallardo

Hi, I just placed an order for one of these. I have a 75 Gallon with a 40 Gallon Sump. Cant wait as my previous skimmer is really difficult to keep tuned.

Oh you will love this one. You have pump flow control, air control and outflow control. This thing is awesome. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

Once you break it in and find that sweet spot, you won't have to touch it.

fed.gallardo · 07/15/2015, 12:24 AM

Did it come with a long hose off the collection cup

Webmanny · 07/15/2015, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fed.gallardo

Did it come with a long hose off the collection cup

Maybe 24", but it comes with a little valve at the end of it, to which you can connect a normal RODI line and extend it. This is what I did and ran that line to an overflow container.

fed.gallardo · 07/21/2015, 10:32 PM

Just got my skimmer, very nice construction for sure. I cant believe how tiny the pump is. would you say 7.5" is the sweet spot? i am probably gonna install it this weekend, but i have to build a stand. From what point of the skimmer neck should the water line be?
Thanks

Webmanny · 07/22/2015, 05:26 AM

The waterline mark is on the adjustment knob. I haven't measured it, but I think it is about 8". As far as the water line inside the skimmer, that is something that you will have to play with.

It depends on where you set the pump and the flow valve.

Good luck, I know you will love this skimmer.

Lilmatty5dimes · 02/07/2016, 03:59 PM

are you still using the d500 skimmer? how do you think it would do on a 65g with 40b sump. thanks

Webmanny · 02/07/2016, 04:58 PM

I still have it and think your setup would actually be perfect for this skimmer. I feel my tank is to small for my skimmer. Therefore, I only turn it on a few hours every day, but for your setup you might be able to run it constantly.

Good luck!

Lilmatty5dimes · 02/08/2016, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webmanny

I still have it and think your setup would actually be perfect for this skimmer. I feel my tank is to small for my skimmer. Therefore, I only turn it on a few hours every day, but for your setup you might be able to run it constantly.

Good luck!

Awesome. Thanks for the reply. Plan is heavy bioload and thinking sps Dom since I'll be running MH/vho for lighting. Thanks again.

03/12/2015, 08:02 PM	#1
Webmanny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: 33612 Posts: 2,461	My Coral Box D500 finally arrived Hey guys and gals, This is my initial review of the Coral Box D500 skimmer. I just received it via DHL. It took a bit of time since it was out of stock, but it is finally here. The packaging it top notch. Lots of foam, bubble tubes and protection. This thing is very well made. The plastic is thicker than other skimmers I've seen and feels much stronger. I'll be hooking it up over the weekend and I'll post a formal review and experience here soon after I install it. For now, I'll leave you with a quick picture I took after assembly. __________________ 32 gallon Biocube, DIY LEDs and Triton Method. My N=1 study of me, validated by me, and supported by completely anecdotal evidence, states that my advice is 100% correct, most of the time.

03/13/2015, 06:12 AM	#3
bigzman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Tampa FL Posts: 2,807	Keep us posted..I hope they make a bigger one than the d700 __________________ 330g SPS - LED/T5 - EShopp S-300 Skimmer - 4 x Jebao PP20- reefkeeper elite Current Tank Info: 210 gallon mixed reef lps sps

03/19/2015, 03:27 PM	#7
Webmanny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: 33612 Posts: 2,461	Update: Skimmer doing great. Awesome skimmate so far and still during break in period. Here are some pictures. __________________ 32 gallon Biocube, DIY LEDs and Triton Method. My N=1 study of me, validated by me, and supported by completely anecdotal evidence, states that my advice is 100% correct, most of the time.

05/10/2015, 06:29 AM	#9
Webmanny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: 33612 Posts: 2,461	Hey there, I'm super happy with the performance of this skimmer. It is still super quiet and pulling great skimate. I'm very glad I went with this one. Even thought it is oversized for my tank and there are a few hours a day where it does not produce skimate, it still pulls a very dark and thick skimate every day. I highly recommend it. The thing I love the most about it, is the ease of adjustment, both on the pump and the skimmer itself. __________________ 32 gallon Biocube, DIY LEDs and Triton Method. My N=1 study of me, validated by me, and supported by completely anecdotal evidence, states that my advice is 100% correct, most of the time.

05/11/2015, 09:10 PM	#10
Jade5051 That guy... Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,218	Show us that nasty skimmate!? :-) __________________ The dream that is now a memory - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550891

03/12/2015, 08:07 PM	#2
robthorn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: largo florida Posts: 5,089	Pretty.

03/13/2015, 06:56 AM	#4
reefcrazy0821 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: spring hill, florida Posts: 394	I don't think you will be disapointed at all. I have the D300 running on my 40b with 20L sump. Runs flawlessly, dead silent, pulls out good skimate, extremely easy to make adjusters... I have mine running in about 7.5" of water on speed 4 with the adjuster 3/4 of the way open. If you have any questions about it feel free to ask.

05/11/2015, 09:12 PM	#11
Travis1787 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Port Richey, FL Posts: 2,646	Nice looking Skimmer

05/12/2015, 06:58 AM	#12
Webmanny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: 33612 Posts: 2,461	Hey guys, This is a more recent picture of the skimate. Please note that this skimmer is way oversize for my tank and the reason I got it was because I plan to upgrade or rather combine two tanks into the existing sump and then it will be a better match. The results of getting an oversize skimmer are very obvious. The skimmer pump can be dialed down and is not running at 100% capacity, which is good. The collection cup doesn't fill up as quick as my SCA301 did before. I empty my collection cup once a week instead of every other day. This is great, but the collection cup stinks really bad once I empty it. The skimmer does not produce skimate all day long. Since it doesn't have the bio load that it was built for, it only produces skimate for a few hours a day. Some will say this is bad, since it is wasting energy running while not producing skimate, but I don't think I care much. My honest review so far is... I love this skimmer and I highly recommend it to anyone. This is the fourth skimmer I've owned and it is by far the best I have seen. My list of skimmers I've owned in the past HOB eBay Chinese skimmer = Piece of crap that worked for about 2 months well and then just stopped Coralife Super Skimmer 65 HOB = Extremely large for the capacity, loud and not that efficient at producing skimate. SCA-301 65 Gallon Protein Skimmer (in Sump) = Good skimmer, but not really built for 65 gallon tank. I had this on a 36 gallon and it was not powerful/efficient enough. Coral Box D500 DC Skimmer (In Sump) = Great skimmer, adjustable pump, adjustable water flow gate, feeding setup, easy to assemble, super quiet and great price. This is the collection cup 2 days after I cleaned it up. __________________ 32 gallon Biocube, DIY LEDs and Triton Method. My N=1 study of me, validated by me, and supported by completely anecdotal evidence, states that my advice is 100% correct, most of the time.

05/13/2015, 01:54 PM	#13
sfoister Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 149	This is the only group of people on the planet that will salivate over a cup of fish poop. This is your safe place.

05/13/2015, 04:16 PM	#14
Webmanny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: 33612 Posts: 2,461	LOL. True. __________________ 32 gallon Biocube, DIY LEDs and Triton Method. My N=1 study of me, validated by me, and supported by completely anecdotal evidence, states that my advice is 100% correct, most of the time.

07/14/2015, 12:20 PM	#15
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	where did you buy and how much? tnx.

07/14/2015, 01:00 PM	#16
Webmanny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: 33612 Posts: 2,461	I got it at Fish-Street and I think they go for $170 plus shipping, but you should check with a local fish store to see if they have them or something similar in stock. Shipping is kind of expensive and they take some time to ship it to you. Having said that, I love this skimmer and it has performed flawlessly so far. __________________ 32 gallon Biocube, DIY LEDs and Triton Method. My N=1 study of me, validated by me, and supported by completely anecdotal evidence, states that my advice is 100% correct, most of the time.

07/14/2015, 02:08 PM	#17
fed.gallardo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Flagstaff Posts: 127	Hi, I just placed an order for one of these. I have a 75 Gallon with a 40 Gallon Sump. Cant wait as my previous skimmer is really difficult to keep tuned.

07/15/2015, 12:24 AM	#19
fed.gallardo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Flagstaff Posts: 127	Did it come with a long hose off the collection cup

07/21/2015, 10:32 PM	#21
fed.gallardo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Flagstaff Posts: 127	Just got my skimmer, very nice construction for sure. I cant believe how tiny the pump is. would you say 7.5" is the sweet spot? i am probably gonna install it this weekend, but i have to build a stand. From what point of the skimmer neck should the water line be? Thanks

07/22/2015, 05:26 AM	#22
Webmanny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: 33612 Posts: 2,461	The waterline mark is on the adjustment knob. I haven't measured it, but I think it is about 8". As far as the water line inside the skimmer, that is something that you will have to play with. It depends on where you set the pump and the flow valve. Good luck, I know you will love this skimmer. __________________ 32 gallon Biocube, DIY LEDs and Triton Method. My N=1 study of me, validated by me, and supported by completely anecdotal evidence, states that my advice is 100% correct, most of the time.

02/07/2016, 03:59 PM	#23
Lilmatty5dimes Moved On Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: PSJ, FL Posts: 2,235	are you still using the d500 skimmer? how do you think it would do on a 65g with 40b sump. thanks

02/07/2016, 04:58 PM	#24
Webmanny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: 33612 Posts: 2,461	I still have it and think your setup would actually be perfect for this skimmer. I feel my tank is to small for my skimmer. Therefore, I only turn it on a few hours every day, but for your setup you might be able to run it constantly. Good luck! __________________ 32 gallon Biocube, DIY LEDs and Triton Method. My N=1 study of me, validated by me, and supported by completely anecdotal evidence, states that my advice is 100% correct, most of the time.