Coralife Skimmers??

[uk-sub]

Hi
I'm just in the erly stages of setting up my first Marine aquarium, so I'm new to the hobby. I found a 180 gal set up with most of the equipment I think I need. I spent this weekend making my sump out of a 40 gal tank and it all seems to work quite well. My set up will be FOWLR, probably about 180 - 200 bls of LR, stock lisrt
2 Volitan Lions
2 Eels (Snowflake and Zebra or similar)
1 Emperor Angel or similar
1 Cherry Grouper
Possibly 1 Puffer of some description.
My question is, will I be OK with a Coralife 220 as my skimmer? Anyone familiar with the 220? Whats it like? Should I be investing in somthing better, I've heard quite a bit about Precision Marine and their Bullet series skimmers, but there bloody expensive!! and I'm really trying to do this on a tight budget...
Any help / ideas would be very much appreciated
Thanks in advance

 

[oceansidefish]

Coralife skimmers IMO are a waste of money. You would be so much happier with a better skimmer. There are some better ones to choose from. Check out WM research skimmers. I have one on my tank and could not be happier...

 

[snakeblitz33]

Coralife Super Skimmers are great skimmers on a budget. They work efficiantly, easy to adjust and they have constant water flow and skimmate. I have had great success with them.
If you want to really spend the cash, go ahead and get a EuroReef rated for your size tank. Yes, it costs more, and yes it is better. BUT, one for your tank will cost about 800 to 900$$
Go with the Coralife 220... if your on a budget.

 

[nigerbang]

The biggest PITA with SS's is keeping the water level in the sump consistant at all times..
After I added an ATO to my system it skims like a beast...But then again I'm running a 220 on my 120..

 

[snakeblitz33]

I've never heard of needing a constant water level to use a coralife super skimmer? They can be mounted inside or outside the sump. Just use the adjustment knob/valve on the output to adjust the skimmer's water level.

 

[nigerbang]

Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2938691
I've never heard of needing a constant water level to use a coralife super skimmer? They can be mounted inside or outside the sump. Just use the adjustment knob/valve on the output to adjust the skimmer's water level.
They recommend the pump be atleast 3" under water to create optimal pressure.. If the water gets lower.. Say from evap. you will have to adjust the water level in the skimmer..

 

[snakeblitz33]

Ah, osmotic pressures, nice. I would just adjust the water level in the skimmer and not worry about pressure differences. It works the same way anyways. JMO.

 

[hammerhed7]

I used a 220 prior to buying my ASM G3, for the little extra money, an Octopus NW200 or an ASM will kick the stuffing out of a CSS

 

[snakeblitz33]

Originally Posted by Hammerhed7
http:///forum/post/2939027
I used a 220 prior to buying my ASM G3, for the little extra money, an Octopus NW200 or an ASM will kick the stuffing out of a CSS
+1 if you are willing to fork out the extra cash.

 

[uk-sub]

What about a Red Sea Berlin X2...Anyone got any experience of these?

 

[uk-sub]

Thanks for the input guys...
I just went on the net to get a look at the manuals for the Coralife 220 and it appears that the gentleman who sold me my setup including the used 220 unit managed to leave out the needle-wheel pump and the bubble-protection diffuser, all I have is the main chamber, collection cup assemblies and a small submersible pump, but nothing else, so I don't have the strainer, venturi chamber, adjustment valve or any of the bubble-production diffuser setup....
I do however have the option to buy another used Red Sea Berlin X2, this time I'll take the maintenance manual with me and check it's all there BEFORE I hand over any cash!
Any comments on the X2 skimmer would be much appreciated...
Thanks

 

[nigerbang]

Originally Posted by uk-sub
http:///forum/post/2940004
Thanks for the input guys...
I just went on the net to get a look at the manuals for the Coralife 220 and it appears that the gentleman who sold me my setup including the used 220 unit managed to leave out the needle-wheel pump and the bubble-protection diffuser, all I have is the main chamber, collection cup assemblies and a small submersible pump, but nothing else, so I don't have the strainer, venturi chamber, adjustment valve or any of the bubble-production diffuser setup....
I do however have the option to buy another used Red Sea Berlin X2, this time I'll take the maintenance manual with me and check it's all there BEFORE I hand over any cash!
Any comments on the X2 skimmer would be much appreciated...
Thanks
It would work alot better with the right pump Im sure...I threw the bubble diffuser away a long time ago..(doesnt fit right in my sump) Not sure how you dont have the adjustment valve... Its built onto the body..Unless Im thinking of something else...
Berlins Suck I had one that worked...After many mods and adjustments
Was a happy day when I shot that thing with a 30.06