Coralife Super Skimmer initial review

Shagsbeard · 08/25/2006, 07:21 PM

I just got my CLSS 125 and hooked it up on the side of my tank. It's only been running a few minutes so no skimmate is done yet, but let me give you all some initial impressions.

I need a sump. No question. Skimmers were not designed to be hung on the side of your tank. If you are planning to use this skimmer, get a sump first. The pump is a monster that hangs down into your tank... the bubble difuser too... it's unsightly to say the least. At least the device is designed in an appealing way. It's going under the tank ASAP though. I'm going to have to plumb the skimmer on the outside of the sump since my cabinet under my tank hasn't got the headroom needed to put it in the sump itself. Having the device part of it in view isn't a problem. Having all that equipment hanging in my tank is.

It's quiet. Compared to my Prism I can already tell I'm going to get more control, and better performance, without even seeing a bit of gunk. The sound it does make is almost soothing. Being able to see the bubble chamber is kind of like those cut away model machines I made as a kid so you could see how things work.

Edit: Oh! The bubble diffusor that hangs in the tank is spewwing salt spray all over... tiny spray but it's going to add up to a salty mess. Nothing I can't clean up, but it's another reason this baby isn't going to be on the side of my tank for long.

splateee · 08/25/2006, 07:50 PM

There is a huge post floating around about this skimmer. There are a few mods that you can do to it. I have a CSS 125 and did a few mods to it including the mod that removes the bubble diffuser box. It works great and i get plenty of skim from it.

Shagsbeard · 08/25/2006, 08:07 PM

I already have modified it... I've placed a screen over the bubble trap so that the spray hits the screen. I'm sure there are many other more complex inventions to improve on the original design.

I'm already planning how to plumb it into a sump. It shouldn't be too hard to accomplish.

familyreefer · 08/25/2006, 10:34 PM

I got the 220 model....LOVE IT!

08/25/2006, 07:21 PM	#1
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	Coralife Super Skimmer initial review I just got my CLSS 125 and hooked it up on the side of my tank. It's only been running a few minutes so no skimmate is done yet, but let me give you all some initial impressions. I need a sump. No question. Skimmers were not designed to be hung on the side of your tank. If you are planning to use this skimmer, get a sump first. The pump is a monster that hangs down into your tank... the bubble difuser too... it's unsightly to say the least. At least the device is designed in an appealing way. It's going under the tank ASAP though. I'm going to have to plumb the skimmer on the outside of the sump since my cabinet under my tank hasn't got the headroom needed to put it in the sump itself. Having the device part of it in view isn't a problem. Having all that equipment hanging in my tank is. It's quiet. Compared to my Prism I can already tell I'm going to get more control, and better performance, without even seeing a bit of gunk. The sound it does make is almost soothing. Being able to see the bubble chamber is kind of like those cut away model machines I made as a kid so you could see how things work. Edit: Oh! The bubble diffusor that hangs in the tank is spewwing salt spray all over... tiny spray but it's going to add up to a salty mess. Nothing I can't clean up, but it's another reason this baby isn't going to be on the side of my tank for long.

08/25/2006, 10:34 PM	#4
familyreefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Augusta Ga. Posts: 206	skim I got the 220 model....LOVE IT! __________________ Interests: My kids, sailing, my Yellow Nape,Sun Conyer.African Grey, and cockatoo Current Tank Info: 220gal reef

08/25/2006, 07:50 PM	#2
splateee Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flower Mound, Texas Posts: 561	There is a huge post floating around about this skimmer. There are a few mods that you can do to it. I have a CSS 125 and did a few mods to it including the mod that removes the bubble diffuser box. It works great and i get plenty of skim from it.

08/25/2006, 08:07 PM	#3
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	I already have modified it... I've placed a screen over the bubble trap so that the spray hits the screen. I'm sure there are many other more complex inventions to improve on the original design. I'm already planning how to plumb it into a sump. It shouldn't be too hard to accomplish.