Aquatic Life Mini Internal Protein Skimmer 151 Installation Guide
- June 3, 2024
- Aquatic Life
Table of Contents
Mini Skimmer 151 – Model 510713
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide
Mini Internal Protein Skimmer 151
Thank you for purchasing the Aquatic Life Mini Skimmer 151.
When maintained properly, this unit will provide you with years of service.
OVERVIEW
Protein skimmers create thousands of tiny bubbles to efficiently remove
organic waste materials from the saltwater aquarium water. The air bubbles
attract and condense these organics into foam and lift it to the collection
cup for convenient removal.
The mini skimmer is designed to work with marine and reef aquariums up to 40
gallons and operate inside the aquarium.
Scan QR Code for Installation Instructions Web Link: qrs.ly/b5dnspc
For technical assistance or warranty issues, contact Aquatic Life at customersupport@aquaticlife.com
MINIMUM SPACE REQUIRED FOR OPERATION
Contents
BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH YOUR MINI SKIMMER 151
INITIAL SETUP
There are two options for securing the Mini Skimmer in the aquarium the
suction cups or bracket.
Start by placing the skimmer in the water so the top of the water is even with
the base of the muffler. The skimmer can operate in different levels of water
because the skimming can be controlled by adjusting the height of the
collection cup and the amount of flow through the unit.
Refer to the next sections for Collection Cup and Flow Control set-up.
SUCTION CUPS MOUNT (Option 1)
The suction cups press onto the four studs on the back of the skimmer for
secure mounting to the inside aquarium surface. Make sure to remove any algae
or debris on the aquarium surface prior to attaching with the suction cups.
BRACKET MOUNT (Option 2)
Slide the mounting lock onto the mounting bracket and then slide the mounting
bracket with the mounting lock into the top mounting clip on the Mini Skimmer.
NOTE: You can use both the suction cups & mounting bracket together.
COLLECTION CUP INITIAL SETUP
When the skimmer is first installed, it may produce a lot of foam (known as
skimmate) as it removes the built-up proteins in the water.
To avoid the cup filling up too quickly, you can position the cup at a higher
level. The collection cup height can be adjusted using the rubber o-ring.
Sliding the o-ring down will raise the collection cup height.
The goal is to have the bubbles travel up the side channel in the cup and
carry the proteins with them. Too many bubbles will fill the cup with water.
Too few bubbles will not produce any skimmate.
Initially, adjust the cup so that the bubbles just reach the top of the side
channel, but don’t flow into the collection cup.
FLOW CONTROL INITIAL SETUP
In addition to controlling the skimmate with the collection cup height, the
flow control dial can be adjusted. For initial setup, make sure the flow
control dial is completely open.
This allows the maximum water to flow out of the skimmer, providing less time
for the water and air to mix and form the bubbles.
Run the skimmer for several hours and observe what is collected in the
collection cup. If no skimmate is collected, close the flow control dial a
little. Repeat this process until you start to see the collection cup filling
with skimmate.
UNIT MAINTENANCE
Scan QR Code for Maintenance Instructions Web Link: qrs.ly/f5dq2ny
COLLECTION CUP
When the Collection Cup is full of skimmate, empty the cup, rinse with water
and return to the skimmer base.
WATER INTAKE & FLOW CONTROL DIAL
With dry hands, unplug the skimmer from the power outlet. Use a non-abrasive
brush to clean any build-up on the Water Intake and Flow Control Dial. Return
skimmer to operation.
COMPLETE CLEANING – IF BUBBLE PRODUCTION SLOWS
With dry hands, unplug the skimmer from the power outlet. Remove the skimmer
from the aquarium and remove the Motor by twisting it 90°.
Soak the Sealed Body, Motor, and other parts in fresh water for several hours.
Use a non-abrasive brush to remove any build-up.
When removing the impeller, use care not to lose the small parts. (see diagram
for help with reassembly). After cleaning, reassemble the skimmer and submerge
it completely under tap water (NOT SALT WATER) in a five-gallon bucket.
Plug in the skimmer and run for 15 minutes. This draws water through the
Muffler and cleans the inside of the unit.
Drain the fresh water from the skimmer and reinstall in the aquarium.
TROUBLESHOOTING
NO FOAM (SKIMMATE) BEING COLLECTED
Solutions:
- Reduce the height of the collection cup by adjusting the o-ring upward.
- Close the flow control dial slightly. Repeat every few hours as necessary until bubbles start rising in collection cup.
- Ensure the air intake is above water level.
- Make sure the air intake is not plugged or obstructed. To operate properly, the unit must be able to pull in air and mix with the water.
TOO MUCH SKIMMATE IS COLLECTED
Solutions:
- Make sure the flow control dial is fully open. This should reduce the bubble column height.
- Raise the collection cup to allow the bubbles to collect under the cup. This concentrates the bubbles in the skimmer before flowing into the collection cup.
- Doing both is possible too. Will depend on how much material is in the water that is creating the bubbles to stay together longer.
INCONSISTENT PERFORMANCE
Solution: Maintain a consistent water level. If the water level drops,
the skimmer may not produce as much skimmate.
If, after a break-in period of several weeks, the skimmer is still producing a
lot of skimmate, it is possible that the fish food or other water additives
are being removed by the skimmer. Try skipping a day of feeding and see if the
food is the issue. Likewise, pay attention to the skimmer performance when you
add anything to the aquarium water.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Aquatic Life warrants that this product shall be free from defective
electrical components and leaks or cracks due to defects in materials or
workmanship for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of purchase.
If a defect its shown, Aquatic Life will, at Aquatic Life’s sole discretion,
either repair or replace the product without charge. No cash refunds will be
made. This warranty is provided solely to the original consumer purchaser of
the product and may not be transferred or assigned.
This warranty does not apply to damage resulting from accident, misuse, abuse,
lack of reasonable care, failure to follow safety and installation
instructions, use of the product with non-standard electrical service, or any
other defect not resulting from defects in the electrical components of the
product or defects in materials or workmanship. This warranty will not be
effective unless and until the Aquatic Life product is shown to have been used
in accordance with the safety and installation instructions accompanying the
product.
THIS CONSTITUTES AQUATIC LIFE’S ENTIRE WARRANTY AND AQUATIC LIFE MAKES NO
OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT.
AQUATIC LIFE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. IF AQUATIC LIFE CANNOT LAWFULLY DISCLAIM IMPLIED WARRANTIES UNDER
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY, ALL SUCH WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE LIMITED IN DURATION
TO THE DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY. AQUATIC LIFE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DIRECT,
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF
WARRANTY OR CONDITION, OR UNDER ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY. AQUATIC LIFE EXPRESSLY
DISCLAIMS ALL ALLEGED DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF MARINE LIFE, PERSONAL INJURY, AND/OR
PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Some states and provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages or exclusions or limitations on the
duration of implied warranties or conditions, so the prior limitations or
exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights, and you may also have other rights that vary by state or province.
Aquatic Life shall not have any obligations under this warranty unless the
owner notifies Aquatic Life in writing of any alleged defect(s) within 30 days
of discovery of the defect(s). Any notice to Aquatic Life must be delivered by
United States or electronic mail to the following address:
Lifetime Products, LLC
9710 Klingerman St. | S. El Monte, CA 91733
CustomerSupport@aquaticlife.com
www.aquaticlife.com
Scan to Register your Mini Skimmer
NEED HELP?
Contact Aquatic Life at
customersupport@aquaticlife.com
REV. 04/2022
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>