AquaticLife 115 Mini Internal Protein Skimmer & Filter for Saltwater Aquariums

MommyMommy: This product is amazing. I've had many other skimmers I had to fight with to work properly. This one I had zero problems with. Started working right away. I have a 36 gal saltwater reef. When I received the package however, it was damaged and there was a tiny hairline Crack in the collection cup but still works fine and definitely not by fault of the company. Recommend 100%

Canada on Nov 21, 2023

Benjamin WongBenjamin Wong: The product stopped working in weeks, but seller was willing to send a replacement.

Canada on May 14, 2023

Kristen M. MillerKristen M. Miller: This is a simple, small skimmer that cost 20% as much as the one in my other 20 gallon tank. It’s only been a week, but they seem to be equally as efficient. The skimmer cup was super easy to remove and dump. My water doesn’t have any froth, smell or particulates.

POSITION in the water is very important. It doesn’t “sit” like a regular skimmer. Read the info on the Amazon page and look at the pic.

At first, I did get a ton of tiny air bubbles shooting out. That stopped after a few days. The fish didn’t mind and neither did I.

I saw a review that talked about the noise. It’s less noisy than my filter or algae scrubber (which wasn’t working right so I got this). So it’s a 2 or 3 out of 10 on noise. If you get one that’s really noisy, it shouldn’t be.

UPDATE: after running it for a few weeks, I just bought a second. It does a really good job for the price and size. The most annoying thing is the suction cups. They’re too good and too awful at the same time: whenever I move the skimmer a millimeter, they pop off. Yet, they manage to stick on the aquarium wall like nothing I’ve ever seen. I’m considering supergluing them on the...

United States on Oct 15, 2021

CP: This skimmer is so good that I'm buying another for my other salt water tank too. Works so well that I have to empty every other day. Currently in my 42 gal salt water reef populated by 5 fish.. I see that people commented saying it was crap and noisy... perhaps they didn't position properly with top of water at mid-intake of skimmer. It is a little noisy but nothing compared to most other skimmers. All skimmers make noise , this one makes the "foaming" water noise and not hums or slurps 8~)

Canada on Sep 15, 2020

RK: This skimmer is a great little work horse. I have had it running in a 20 gallon nano for almost 1 year now. Took just about over 1 week to break in before it started to produce nice skim mate. Dialing it in is pretty easy too. Just turn that little knob. Don't even have to get you hands wet. The only draw back it that it tends to gurgle a little. Doesn't bug me but it might bother you.

As a user of product I do have a couple pointers....

First off I wouldn't put this in a 30 gallon tank unless you are lightly stocked which in most cases you aren't. So just don't. My 20 gallon is well stocked and this thing produces skim almost 18 hours a day. Wouldn't handle a 30 gallon.

Second, your water line CANNOT be too high. If you have it too high the skimmer cup with fill up rather quickly even on its lowest setting. The water level affects the skimmer. I have it where the outlet of the skimmer is about 1/3 to 1/2 exposed above water. This way on the lowest setting I get very dry if any skim at all and on the highest setting I have a wetter skim.

Canada on Sep 06, 2016

KrisKris: This is definitely by far, my favorite nano/mini skimmer. I have a 20 gal saltwater tank, with three clowns, two hermit crabs, a snail, and one small hawaiian sand anemone. I use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals, as well as supplements. About 15lbs of live rock, and a 3 inch thick live sandbed. This fits in the corner of my tank quite nicely and doesn't disturb/bother anyone or anything. As a matter of fact, my clowns are always hanging around it. There are, however (as with all skimmers i believe), some drawbacks to this one, but lots of pros as well.

Pros: After a month or so of running this, micro bubbles are nonexistent. Not too sure why everyone is complaining much about this, i have absolutely no micro bubbles in my tank. And no, i have not added any sponge or filter floss to it.

Works brilliantly; I empty/clean the collection cup every two days or so. By then, its collected a large amount of scum, and not just watery kind. Its a good (I like to call it good because its out of the tank~) thick green/brown color, and ready for disposal. Yeah, sometimes it doesn't collect as much, (end up with wet scum) but it usually does its job well.

Easy to set up; Pretty...

United States on Jul 18, 2016

Smithco Automotive: Nice sized little skimmer. Not the greatest design though as the intake side of the pump is too strong for this unit and water outlet side is too small. (In other words, it fills the collection cup like crazy fast even after the so-called break in period of this skimmer.
Also , I find the suction cups which help support the skimmer to the tank wall always fall off when removing the collection cup to empty(prepare to always have wet hands retrieving them)
And lastly, the collection cup is very tight to put on or off when dumping the collection or installing it. (A real pain in the you know what...as well it contributes to the stupid suction cups always falling off )

It gets 2 stars cause of price and compact size, otherwise it would get a big fat 0 rating in my opinion. Should have purchased another

**update** this item is being returned and will be purchasing a tunze or possibly a hydro slim skim instead!

Canada on Mar 31, 2016

Lilred: First, I have had experience in the marine aquarium hobby for almost 8 years now. That being said I have always had smaller tanks and I am by no means and expert. I did my research on this product and several others for about a month now and they all have similar complaints between noise, micro bubbles, break in period, fine tuning, and most importantly production. This was recommended to me by a local aquarium store for my 36g bowfront even though it is recommended for up to 30 gallons.

The concept every protein skimmer is based on is very simple so the fact that this is small or self contained should not discourage you.

Here are the main points I would like to make clear:

-The air intake is right at the water line and will get water in it causing the gargling noise everyone hates. The mod everyone has spoken about on YouTube is very simple and easy, took me 5 minutes. Just be careful not to crack the plastic. Its unfortunate that when buying a brand new product you need to make immediate mods to it but that just the facts. I purchased a black air hose and air control valve from a local pet store. This solves you noise problems and allows you to regulate your...

United States on Jan 24, 2014