Coralife needle-wheel protein skimmers are pretty much the new standard in reef and aquarium-keeping. Other than mesh-wheel designs, needle-wheel skimmers are a reliable, quiet, and efficient choice. I’ve worked with both mesh-wheel and needle-wheel skimmers, and it’s hard to recommend one over the other. They both work effectively over co-flow systems, so choosing one is really dependent on your setup.
If you want something easy to setup and reliable, then I’d recommend the Coralife Super Skimmer series. It comes in a series of 3 different sizes depending on your tank size and the price is decent. At the lab, we have these in about 50% of all our reef habitats and containers. They’re reliable and effective. We’ve only had a few failures over the course of many years compared to other brands, so they’re definitely my recommendation if you’re just getting into the reef-keeping hobby and need a protein skimmer. If you don’t know the importance of a protein skimmer, please read my intro to protein skimmers page to learn about them.
For this review, I’ll be going over the Coralife Super Skimmers and all 3 models.
Here’s a brief comparison chart of all 3 models for a quick overview:
Coralife Super Skimmer Comparison Chart
| Skimmer Image | Model | Tank Capacity | Warranty | View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | 100105271 | 65 Gallons | 1 year | View |
  | 100105272 | 125 Gallons | 1 year | View |
  | 100105277 | 220 Gallons | 1 year | View |
Choosing the right Coralife Protein Skimmer
For most beginners, I’d recommend the basic and proven 65 gallon Coralife Skimmer. This is one of the most popular skimmers on the market today, and it’s one that we have in all of our 50 gallon reef tanks in the lab. Instructions are included with the skimmer, should you have trouble setting it up. The Super Skimmer series are easily used under your tank, or can be mounted on the back of your sump using the mounting brackets. If you ask any aquarium enthusiast, Coralife is a trusted brand, so you really can’t go wrong.
If you have a larger tank, the Super Skimmer series also comes in a 125 gallon and 220 gallon capacity as well. Check them out real quick before you read on. You can see that each skimmer comes with everything you need to get started.
These skimmers all use a patented needle-wheel aspirator to generate bubbles, which basically means they have fine needles that spin on a platter attached to a platter. All the needles are centered around a central axis. This has been known to be more effective than other needle designs, and comparable to mesh-wheel designs.
What size skimmer do I need?
If you get a larger size for your tank, feel free. However, don’t go overkill. Too much power will cause too many bubbles and not enough water, which defeats the purpose. If you have a 30, 40, or 50 gallon tank, the 65 is perfect. Anything lower will result in too many bubbles. The tubing is about 2” in diameter, so if you have a glass top or other secured areas, make sure the tubing fits. The GPH of the motors range from 600-700GPH, so choose the model that works for your reef. It’s fine to get the next step up, especially if you want to upgrade your reef setup later on. Don’t do the opposite though. Make sure you get the proper model for you setup.
Do I need to clean my protein skimmer?
Coralife skimmers have been known to function well, but do require regular cleaning just like any other skimmer. Some skimmers have auto-cleaning tech, but they are extremely expensive. If you don’t clean your skimmer, salt and other grime will build up in the tubing, which will effectively choke off the water supply to and from the tank. So be sure to do your regular maintenance. Coralife skimmers also have a habit of getting the wheel dirty often, so clean the wheel as well whenever you do you regular cleaning.
What are the dimensions of the Coralife skimmers?
These skimmers need to be in about 7” in of water, which is ideally used in your reef’s sump. They’re also about 6” wide, so make sure you have enough space. The total height of the entire body is about 21”. If you decide to use it as a hang-on-back skimmer, make sure you have at least a 40 gallon tank, or else the size is just too large. However, you can use it as a sub skimmer for tanks 10-30 gallons. If you want to hang it, make sure you have about 7” of space from the wall or other obstruction. See them in action here.
Are these skimmers noisy?
The Coralife Super Skimmers are known for their extreme noise-reduction. They’re all very quiet models and can barely be heard. The entire unit is self-contained, which means the pump is located within the unit itself. Bubbles push the waste up to the collection cup up top. And you empty the cup when necessary.
Emptying the collection cup
The cup needs to be emptied when it gets full, just like any other skimmer. Here’s a tip: use a turkey baster. It makes it a lot easier than taking the cup off and bringing it to the sink. Just suck up the garbage and redo it as necessary. This isn’t a substitute for regular cleaning, just a quick-clean.
Buying a Coralife protein skimmer
I’d definitely recommend a Coralife to any beginner or expert in the reefing hobby. They’re superior products made with decent attention to detail. They do take a while to setup and get going, but it’s not difficult. Follow the instructions provided and feel free to ask around for help, whether from here or from a reefing forum. If you’re brand new to the hobby or you’re looking to buy a protein skimmer, go with the Coralife for something that’s reliable, quiet, and efficient. Some users have reported that their system doesn’t work, but chances are, they didn’t set it up properly, as setup is long but not exactly difficult. Please be sure to follow the manual.
If you’re still on the fence about getting a Coralife, head on over to amazon and check out the reviews from people that have actually purchased one.
Otherwise, going with Coralife for your protein skimmer is an excellent choice. Get the proper size for your tank. Read up on the setup. And make sure you clean it regularly. In return, you’ll get crystal-clean water and low readings of nitrites/nitrates. Your fish will thank you. A protein skimmer is a vital component to any reef tank.
Check ’em out here.