BioCube Protein Skimmer: a Comprehensive Review and Guide
Keeping aquarium water clean and clear is crucial for fish health and well-being. A traditional filtration system collects debris and organic waste but doesn’t remove them from the water. A protein skimmer is a simple and convenient tool that helps to physically remove all protein-based containments from the fish tank. The result is a clean, fresh, and well-aerated water, which has an overall beneficial effect on all aquarium habitats.
Table of Contents:
What is a BioCube Protein Skimmer and How It Is Used
Other Popular Protein Skimmers: a Comparative Cart
1. Coralife BioCube Protein Skimmer Review
Coralife BioCube Protein Skimmer Unboxing
Frequently Asked Questions
Verdict and Recommendations
What is a BioCube Protein Skimmer and How It Is Used
Protein skimmers come in a variety of forms and sizes; they are produced by many brands. BioCube skimmers are among the most popular ones, thanks to their versatility, moderate price, and compatibility with popular aquariums. In our guide, we’ll have a closer look at the Coralife BioCube protein skimmer, which is compatible with BioCube aquariums of different sizes.
The mechanism of working of the device is pretty simple. Its main constituent part is a wide tube, which is submerged in the water. Inside this tube, numerous tiny bubbles quickly move up and down. Each bubble serves as a magnet for protein-containing particles, which stick to it. Being lighter than water, bubbles raise to the water surface and get to the collection cup, which is placed above the water. The waste accumulates in the cup and then cleaned out physically. Thus, a skimmer performs two tasks simultaneously: it purifies aquarium water and aerates it by mixing up.
Other Popular Protein Skimmers: a Comparative Cart
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
Best Choice  | Coralife Biocube Protein Skimmer
| Check Price |
Also great  | Coralife Super Protein Skimmer with Pump
| Check Price |
Also great  | Hydor USA SlimSkim Internal Skimmer for Mini Aquariums
| Check Price |
Also great  | Coralife 30G Marine Filter Protein Skimmer
| Check Price |
Also great  | Reef Octopus Classic 100-HOB Protein Skimmer
| Check Price |
Coralife BioCube Protein Skimmer Review
The Coralife BioCube Protein skimmer is a compact inexpensive device, which is compatible with 14- and 29-gallon BioCube aquariums. These tanks come with a built-in filtration system found in the rear part of the tank. The skimmer is integrated directly into the system, so you don’t need to buy any additional tubing or fittings – everything is included in the supply package. The air pump is quiet but powerful enough, thanks to which, the skimmer effectively purifies aquarium water from all types of organic waste. The device is easy to set up and use, so if you are looking for the best protein skimmer for a small tank, this is a good option to consider.
What we think
The skimmer does its job well. We love its quiet operation and ease of installation. That said, you need to be very careful about the volume of bubbles. To regulate it you need to adjust air pressure produced by the pump. If the pressure is too high, the water, literally, “boils” in a minute. So, we recommend to begin with the lowest possible setting and then gradually increase it. Thus, you’ll select an optimal setting for your tank through trial and error.
PROS
- effective and reliable;
- doesn’t produce much noise;
- easy to install;
- compatible with popular 14- and 29-gallon water tanks;
- affordable.
CONS
- the manual is not detailed enough;
- airflow is hard to adjust.
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Coralife BioCube Protein Skimmer Unboxing
The Coralife BioCube protein skimmer is easy to install. Its supply package includes everything you need to install the device and run it. The kit consists of a bubble diffuser, a collection cup with a plastic lid, a filter pad + a sponge that are placed into the diffuser, mountain brackets, suction cups, and tubing. Additionally, there is an airflow valve. Make sure, however, you put in on the airline correctly, as the direction arrows are very small and almost unreadable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Though protein skimmers are pretty easy to use, beginners often ask questions regarding their installation, setting up, and maintenance. In our BioCube protein skimmer review, we’ll try to find answers to some popular questions.
Q: How to Set Up a BioCube Protein Skimmer?
A: Use a manual to assemble your protein skimmer correctly. Usually, the assembly is quite simple. After that, install the unit in the aquarium. The Coralife BioCube skimmer is integrated directly into the filtration system of a BioCube aquarium. After plugging up, adjust the airflow rate to prevent excessive bubbling.
Q: How Does a BioCube Protein Skimmer Work?
A: The skimmer produces a lot of small bubbles that quickly move up and down inside a wide transparent tube. Tiny particles of organic components that are dissolved in the water stick to the bubbles and raise to the water surface. From there, they get into the collection cup and are cleaned out manually.
Q: How to Clean the Coralife BioCube Protein Skimmer?
A: This depends on the quality and chemical composition of water in your fish tank. The collection cup can be cleaned as frequently as it gets covered with dirt; approximately – once in a week or two. At least twice a year, try to disassemble the skimmer, wash its inner parts, and replace the tubing.
Q: When to Change an Airstone on a BioCube Protein Skimmer?
A: Coralife recommends replacing an Airstone approximately once a month if you want to sustain an optimal performance of the device. You can change it less frequently but the effectiveness of water purification may suffer.
Verdict and Recommendations
A protein skimmer is not a mandatory piece of aquarium equipment. However, this is a great add-on, which can improve the overall quality of water and a must-have for the owners of saltwater fish tanks. Coralife BioCube protein skimmer is an affordable and reliable option for small BioCube aquariums. It is known for its quiet operation, flexibility, and ease of use.
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