Coral Box Skimmer Club

h3dgehog · 05/15/2016, 08:57 PM

Given the lack of formal reviews out there on this Coral Box line of DC skimmers, I figure I'd start this thread for current Coral Box skimmer owners to show off their skimmate, share their settings, reviews, and as a place for people to ask questions.

thewbell · 05/16/2016, 09:56 AM

I have the D700 on my 120 with a 40B and it is working great so far. Pulls a very dark skimmate (especially since I started carbon dosing) and is very consistent. The adjustment is super easy as well and I maybe tweak it every few weeks but that is usually because either I or my son bumped it. The skimmer is in about 6.5" of water with the pump turned all the way up.

Overall I like the D700 more than my old curve 5 just based on the ease of adjustment. Seemed like I was constantly tweaking the curve 5 as it was difficult to get it just right. Then again, the curve was my first skimmer so it may have been my inexperience that led to the fiddling....

running scott · 05/16/2016, 06:02 PM

The d700 is working well for me. Suprised by the g.reat build quality. So quiet, and easy to adjust. Great space saving design. I have only one complaint, the skimmer cup is hard to remove.

h3dgehog · 05/16/2016, 07:03 PM

I agree with everyone about how quiet it is. My D300 was dead silent at first but slowly developed a very slightly humming noise that can't really be heard unless you stick your head close to the sump with the doors open.

I'm still trying to dial mine in... Will post skimmate pictures shortly~

MadsDK · 05/17/2016, 01:21 AM

which coral box skimmer would fit a 80 gallon display and a 30 gallon sump with medium bioload? at some point i think the bioload will get heavy though.

jedimasterben · 05/17/2016, 08:07 AM

I'm currently using a D500 on my 40, total volume of around 50 gallons, and with fairly heavy bioload. Pulls skimmate like a boss.

thewbell · 05/17/2016, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by running scott

The d700 is working well for me. Suprised by the g.reat build quality. So quiet, and easy to adjust. Great space saving design. I have only one complaint, the skimmer cup is hard to remove.

The cup has gotten a good bit easier for me after taking it off about a half dozen times for cleaning. The first few times I thought I would never get it but now it is not bad at all.

jedimasterben · 05/17/2016, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewbell

The cup has gotten a good bit easier for me after taking it off about a half dozen times for cleaning. The first few times I thought I would never get it but now it is not bad at all.

I've noticed similar with my D500. It still makes me cuss it every time, but not nearly as badly

trilinearmipmap · 05/17/2016, 04:07 PM

Waiting on a new Bubble Magus Curve A5 - it looks very similar to the Coral Box D500. My vendor does not have the Curve A5 in stock and I was debating cancelling the order and getting the D500 instead - it if for a 75 gallon FOWLR that I am setting up - any advice would be appreciated.

thewbell · 05/17/2016, 05:20 PM

I had the curve 5 for almost 3 years with no issues but have only had the D700 for a few months so I can't say much about its longevity. Honestly, I would say they are fairly similar with the D700 taking a slight edge on ease of adjustment.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

trilinearmipmap · 05/17/2016, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewbell

I had the curve 5 for almost 3 years with no issues but have only had the D700 for a few months so I can't say much about its longevity. Honestly, I would say they are fairly similar with the D700 taking a slight edge on ease of adjustment.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks

h3dgehog · 05/21/2016, 07:10 PM

Finally took some time to take some pictures of my skimmer's performance so far. After a few adjustments, I finally got it to skim fairly dry. Could be drier though!

nebraskareef · 05/31/2016, 02:07 PM

I have a d300 on a 60g cube/40 breeder setup. I have not yet had a chance to set the water level with a skimmer stand, but I am extremely impressed with the performance. I've used dozens of skimmers and I would recommend this to anyone. Addictive Reefkeeping has these as well for a bit better price than fish street. They are my go to for jebao.

milsaltnewbie07 · 11/29/2016, 01:55 PM

Bump
I got a D500 running at 8 inches of water. Seems to pull dark coffee colored skimmate out , but amount varies all the time. 8 inches at 100% gate about 40% closed

greaps · 11/29/2016, 05:14 PM

D500 for one year now, perfect. Hope this company continues to expand on equipment.

milsaltnewbie07 · 11/29/2016, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greaps

D500 for one year now, perfect. Hope this company continues to expand on equipment.

How deep are you runing it?pump speed? how open or close is the intake?? What sort of skimate are you getting.

Here s mine[IMG]

[/IMG]

psyrob · 06/01/2017, 12:17 PM

resurrecting this thread:
Got a D300 a week ago, looks sleek, super quiet, not pulling out much at first, but getting better day by day.
However, after five days the pump is rattling LOUD, sounds like rocks are in there. Still skimming, but who else has had these pumps start becoming more noisy?

thewbell · 06/01/2017, 06:47 PM

My 700 has been quiet as can be for over a year now except for the times snails or other foreign objects got sucked into the impeller. I would take the impeller intake horn off and make sure it's clear.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

psyrob · 06/01/2017, 10:18 PM

Thanks. I took the skimmer completely apart and just had the pump run, shook it around some, it stopped making so much noise. Then put the skimmer back together a piece at a time, plugging in the pump as I added each piece to see if something was rattling. Got it back together and now it is dead silent. Will watch it over the next few days, maybe something got stuck in the impeller and fell out when I shook the pump under water?

Arringar · 06/02/2017, 12:41 AM

I have a D700 on my 90 gallon sps tank. I've had excellent results from it. It's super quiet, uses very little energy and has been easy to work with.

I did have to replace the bottom screws because the factory ones strip out easily. I changed them to hex nut screws that I can remove with my fingers rather than needing tools.

running scott · 06/03/2017, 02:49 PM

More than a year later and I still like my d700. It's not producing as much lately, but that could be because I am using filter socks now.

thewbell · 06/11/2017, 08:33 AM

Well I just had my first major issue. My impeller seized up and unfortunately it is the bearing right behind the impeller so I can't take it apart. I attempted a vinegar soak which helped some but I still have way too much drag.

Has anyone swapped their pump out? I'm having a very hard time finding the impeller or skimmer pump for the d700.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

edolan · 06/22/2017, 09:43 AM

I am looking at getting the d500. Is everyone still happy with their skimmer? I currently have an sca-302 skimmer running an atman ph 2000 pump which seems a bit loud to me. Anyone have expeience with both skimmers? Is the d500 quieter than the sca skimmer?

jayball · 06/22/2017, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edolan

I am looking at getting the d500. Is everyone still happy with their skimmer? I currently have an sca-302 skimmer running an atman ph 2000 pump which seems a bit loud to me. Anyone have expeience with both skimmers? Is the d500 quieter than the sca skimmer?

I went from a 303 to the d500. Much quieter as long as you keep the pump clean.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

edolan · 06/22/2017, 05:08 PM

Can you hear the motor or just the air being drawn in? I got the jebao dcp 8000 for my return pump and it is dead silent.

05/15/2016, 08:57 PM	#1
h3dgehog Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 188	Coral Box Skimmer Club Given the lack of formal reviews out there on this Coral Box line of DC skimmers, I figure I'd start this thread for current Coral Box skimmer owners to show off their skimmate, share their settings, reviews, and as a place for people to ask questions. __________________ Elos Midi Diamond Line \| ATI Hybrid \| Coral Box D300 \| Profilux Controlled

05/16/2016, 09:56 AM	#2
thewbell Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 61	I have the D700 on my 120 with a 40B and it is working great so far. Pulls a very dark skimmate (especially since I started carbon dosing) and is very consistent. The adjustment is super easy as well and I maybe tweak it every few weeks but that is usually because either I or my son bumped it. The skimmer is in about 6.5" of water with the pump turned all the way up. Overall I like the D700 more than my old curve 5 just based on the ease of adjustment. Seemed like I was constantly tweaking the curve 5 as it was difficult to get it just right. Then again, the curve was my first skimmer so it may have been my inexperience that led to the fiddling.... __________________ 120 Gallon tank, 40B sump, Photon LED, DCT-1200 Return Pump, WAV powerheads, D700 Skimmer, Apex, 140 lbs sand, 80 lbs live rock, marine pure brick, ~10 gallon fuge, Kalk stirrer Current Tank Info: 5' 120 Gallon

05/16/2016, 07:03 PM	#4
h3dgehog Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 188	I agree with everyone about how quiet it is. My D300 was dead silent at first but slowly developed a very slightly humming noise that can't really be heard unless you stick your head close to the sump with the doors open. I'm still trying to dial mine in... Will post skimmate pictures shortly~ __________________ Elos Midi Diamond Line \| ATI Hybrid \| Coral Box D300 \| Profilux Controlled

05/17/2016, 08:07 AM	#6
jedimasterben LED world domination! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Okeechobee, FL Posts: 1,030	I'm currently using a D500 on my 40, total volume of around 50 gallons, and with fairly heavy bioload. Pulls skimmate like a boss. __________________ Dinoflagellates are the kiss of death. Current Tank Info: Acquasole 60, IceCap 15 Sump, 2x Maxspect Ethereal, Coral Box D500 skimmer, Maxspect Gyre 150, Jecod DCS-5000

05/17/2016, 05:20 PM	#10
thewbell Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 61	I had the curve 5 for almost 3 years with no issues but have only had the D700 for a few months so I can't say much about its longevity. Honestly, I would say they are fairly similar with the D700 taking a slight edge on ease of adjustment. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 120 Gallon tank, 40B sump, Photon LED, DCT-1200 Return Pump, WAV powerheads, D700 Skimmer, Apex, 140 lbs sand, 80 lbs live rock, marine pure brick, ~10 gallon fuge, Kalk stirrer Current Tank Info: 5' 120 Gallon

05/16/2016, 06:02 PM	#3
running scott Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bradenton,Fl Posts: 219	The d700 is working well for me. Suprised by the g.reat build quality. So quiet, and easy to adjust. Great space saving design. I have only one complaint, the skimmer cup is hard to remove.

05/17/2016, 01:21 AM	#5
MadsDK Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 67	which coral box skimmer would fit a 80 gallon display and a 30 gallon sump with medium bioload? at some point i think the bioload will get heavy though.

05/17/2016, 04:07 PM	#9
trilinearmipmap Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 391	Waiting on a new Bubble Magus Curve A5 - it looks very similar to the Coral Box D500. My vendor does not have the Curve A5 in stock and I was debating cancelling the order and getting the D500 instead - it if for a 75 gallon FOWLR that I am setting up - any advice would be appreciated.

05/21/2016, 07:10 PM	#12
h3dgehog Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 188	Finally took some time to take some pictures of my skimmer's performance so far. After a few adjustments, I finally got it to skim fairly dry. Could be drier though! __________________ Elos Midi Diamond Line \| ATI Hybrid \| Coral Box D300 \| Profilux Controlled

05/31/2016, 02:07 PM	#13
nebraskareef MFCEO Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,495 Blog Entries: 1	I have a d300 on a 60g cube/40 breeder setup. I have not yet had a chance to set the water level with a skimmer stand, but I am extremely impressed with the performance. I've used dozens of skimmers and I would recommend this to anyone. Addictive Reefkeeping has these as well for a bit better price than fish street. They are my go to for jebao. __________________ Originally Posted by tmz "Now if I drink the vodka the colors do look much better than if I drink the vinegar."

11/29/2016, 01:55 PM	#14
milsaltnewbie07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 1,354	Bump I got a D500 running at 8 inches of water. Seems to pull dark coffee colored skimmate out , but amount varies all the time. 8 inches at 100% gate about 40% closed

11/29/2016, 05:14 PM	#15
greaps Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 500	D500 for one year now, perfect. Hope this company continues to expand on equipment. __________________ 50g SCA Aquarium, build in progress.

06/01/2017, 12:17 PM	#17
psyrob Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 508	resurrecting this thread: Got a D300 a week ago, looks sleek, super quiet, not pulling out much at first, but getting better day by day. However, after five days the pump is rattling LOUD, sounds like rocks are in there. Still skimming, but who else has had these pumps start becoming more noisy? __________________ We have engaged the Borg.... Current Tank Info: 60 gallon mixed reef, 4X54 T5s, 10 gallon frag tank, Reefbreeders PAR38 led bulb, Euroreef Skimmer, wp25 pump ReefAngel controller

06/01/2017, 06:47 PM	#18
thewbell Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 61	My 700 has been quiet as can be for over a year now except for the times snails or other foreign objects got sucked into the impeller. I would take the impeller intake horn off and make sure it's clear. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk __________________ 120 Gallon tank, 40B sump, Photon LED, DCT-1200 Return Pump, WAV powerheads, D700 Skimmer, Apex, 140 lbs sand, 80 lbs live rock, marine pure brick, ~10 gallon fuge, Kalk stirrer Current Tank Info: 5' 120 Gallon

06/01/2017, 10:18 PM	#19
psyrob Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 508	Thanks. I took the skimmer completely apart and just had the pump run, shook it around some, it stopped making so much noise. Then put the skimmer back together a piece at a time, plugging in the pump as I added each piece to see if something was rattling. Got it back together and now it is dead silent. Will watch it over the next few days, maybe something got stuck in the impeller and fell out when I shook the pump under water? __________________ We have engaged the Borg.... Current Tank Info: 60 gallon mixed reef, 4X54 T5s, 10 gallon frag tank, Reefbreeders PAR38 led bulb, Euroreef Skimmer, wp25 pump ReefAngel controller

06/02/2017, 12:41 AM	#20
Arringar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 169	I have a D700 on my 90 gallon sps tank. I've had excellent results from it. It's super quiet, uses very little energy and has been easy to work with. I did have to replace the bottom screws because the factory ones strip out easily. I changed them to hex nut screws that I can remove with my fingers rather than needing tools.

06/03/2017, 02:49 PM	#21
running scott Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bradenton,Fl Posts: 219	More than a year later and I still like my d700. It's not producing as much lately, but that could be because I am using filter socks now.

06/11/2017, 08:33 AM	#22
thewbell Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 61	Well I just had my first major issue. My impeller seized up and unfortunately it is the bearing right behind the impeller so I can't take it apart. I attempted a vinegar soak which helped some but I still have way too much drag. Has anyone swapped their pump out? I'm having a very hard time finding the impeller or skimmer pump for the d700. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk __________________ 120 Gallon tank, 40B sump, Photon LED, DCT-1200 Return Pump, WAV powerheads, D700 Skimmer, Apex, 140 lbs sand, 80 lbs live rock, marine pure brick, ~10 gallon fuge, Kalk stirrer Current Tank Info: 5' 120 Gallon

06/22/2017, 09:43 AM	#23
edolan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 169	I am looking at getting the d500. Is everyone still happy with their skimmer? I currently have an sca-302 skimmer running an atman ph 2000 pump which seems a bit loud to me. Anyone have expeience with both skimmers? Is the d500 quieter than the sca skimmer?

06/22/2017, 05:08 PM	#25
edolan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 169	Can you hear the motor or just the air being drawn in? I got the jebao dcp 8000 for my return pump and it is dead silent.