Coralife 125g Protein Skimmer Help!

[SaltwaterGuruNeeded]

Hi, I have a Coralife 125g protein skimmer. It is just obnoxiously loud and throws microbubbles all over the tank and makes it look cloudy. I feel as though it is bothering the fish. If anyone else has the Coralife 125g skimmer or if you know of a good way to reduce or eliminate the microbubbles or noise of this thing pls help. I have it as a hang on the back skimmer. I do not have a sump. Btw I've been running it for a little more than a month.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Pics of the skimmer in use might help us help you

 

[Uncle99]

Mine is actually completely silent except for water flow, it should not be making noise. Check impeller. Sometime not right, broken or stuck. If mine ma

The only time I ever seen micro bubbles is when I use two part epoxy.

There’s a inlet protection on the front of the pump. It must be aligned almost perfectly or the pump does not function well. In addition, that place where the Venturi goes into pump housing must be perfectly clean.

My bubbles flow into the sponge in the skimmers return box.

 

[SaltwaterGuruNeeded]

Mine is actually completely silent except for water flow, it should not be making noise. Check impeller. Sometime not right, broken or stuck. If mine ma

The only time I ever seen micro bubbles is when I use two part epoxy.

There’s a inlet protection on the front of the pump. It must be aligned almost perfectly or the pump does not function well. In addition, that place where the Venturi goes into pump housing must be perfectly clean.

My bubbles flow into the sponge in the skimmers return box.

I literally glued the impeller to the motor shaft and I need to help it get started but after that it runs silent. I cleaned the impeller and motor with a toothbrush and cleaned the ventury/ air port with a cotton swab. Still getting some microbubbles though. Here is a pic of the bubbles in the vortex chamber. I feel as though the bubbles are way too low.

See anything wrong with it?

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Its a junk skimmer. Forgive me but I think they are cheap. Do they work? Yes. Probably but u are using a lower end skimmer. Micro bubbles. Noise. Common.
-d

 

[Rmckoy]

I’ve had the exact same skimmer and same issue .
there was no way to completely eliminate the bubbles .
you can try lowering the pump .
longer piece of hose lowering the pump into the tank more .

the main issue I had and the reason for getting rid of it .
every little thing caused it to overflow .
I think even if the fish urinated too much or perhaps passing gas.
every little thing .
the overflow ruining the brand new hardwood flooring in that apartment was the end of coral life skimmers for me

 

[SaltwaterGuruNeeded]

I’ve had the exact same skimmer and same issue .
there was no way to completely eliminate the bubbles .
you can try lowering the pump .
longer piece of hose lowering the pump into the tank more .

the main issue I had and the reason for getting rid of it .
every little thing caused it to overflow .
I think even if the fish urinated too much or perhaps passing gas.
every little thing .
the overflow ruining the brand new hardwood flooring in that apartment was the end of coral life skimmers for me

Yeah I have hardwood floors too. I made a ramp to catch the dripping water.

 

[Rmckoy]

Yeah I have hardwood floors too. I made a ramp to catch the dripping water.

The ramp isn’t going to help the collection cup overflowing water that’s essentially pumping the top 8” of your tank onto your floor .

that was my experience with that skimmer ….
some others might have a little better luck with them

 

[SaltwaterGuruNeeded]

The ramp isn’t going to help the collection cup overflowing water that’s essentially pumping the top 8” of your tank onto your floor .

that was my experience with that skimmer ….
some others might have a little better luck with them

Yeah, the reviews on Amazon are either "I LOVE IT " Or " Fk this piece of S**t"...hoping it doesn't flood. Any suggestions for a hob protein skimmer or maybe an algae scrubber that is good? For a 125g?

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

The people who love it are ur run of the day regular sw keepers. Not.coral enthusiasts. They don't know better.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Aquamaxx makes some good hang on back skimmers. Sell that for $40 and get a bullet or larger aquamarine.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

*aquamaxx stupid auto correct.
Sry

 

[SaltwaterGuruNeeded]

*aquamaxx stupid auto correct.
Sry

I'll see what they got. Any of em have a surface skimmer attachment?

 

[ClownSchool]

Its a junk skimmer. Forgive me but I think they are cheap. Do they work? Yes. Probably but u are using a lower end skimmer. Micro bubbles. Noise. Common.
-d

Mine has a gravely noise in the pump, as well. After reading this thread, I’ll be taking it apart and hope the reassembly fixes it. Thanks to you and everyone who were kind enough to give feedback!

 

[Rmckoy]

You said the tank is a 125?

ideally you want a skimmer capable of bigger than the actual volume .

is a sump or external skimmer out of the question ?

 

[SaltwaterGuruNeeded]

You said the tank is a 125?

ideally you want a skimmer capable of bigger than the actual volume .

is a sump or external skimmer out of the question ?

I may get a sump, but not sure... If external skimmer you mean Hob, Im.looking for an hob.

 

[Rmckoy]

I may get a sump, but not sure... If external skimmer you mean Hob, Im.looking for an hob.

External I am referring to a recirculating or external skimmer .

a
Little bigger compared to a hang on but IMO more efficient , less maintenance , less worry

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

They have a surface skimmer attachment you can purchase separately yes
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

That is literally a $10 pump running that Coralife skimmer. Lol.
U can get a sicce same gph...actually probably less and get better results but I'm still inclined to just say get a better unit. Sorry coralife!
D

 

[SaltwaterGuruNeeded]

External I am referring to a recirculating or external skimmer .

a
Little bigger compared to a hang on but IMO more efficient , less maintenance , less worry

I can do that, yeah. Recommendations? I am looking at a reef octopus...but it's recommended for 130g for a light bioload. I think I may want at least medium bioload for 125g. Aquamaxx looks good aswell.