Coral Vue Technology Octopus Needle Wheel Skimmer Review

Though there are many different kinds of aquarium owners, they’re all joined together by a common bond; they want nothing more than to keep their fish safe.

There are, of course, a lot of things that contribute to having healthy fish, including feeding, tank size, and tankmates – but the most important thing is water quality.

Because aquariums don’t have the substantial water flow that oceans do, it’s extremely important to put in some work, making sure your tank stays regularly clean. Protein skimmers are great at maintaining your fishes’ environment in between water changes.

The Coral Vue Technology Octopus Needle Wheel Skimmer  is a popular choice for water maintenance, but as with all aquarium purchases, its efficiency and usefulness depend on a multitude of factors.

Because of their usefulness, though, there are a lot of protein skimmers on the internet at many different price points, which can be confusing for someone new to the whole experience.

After you read this Coral Vue Technology Octopus Needle Wheel Skimmer review, you’ll be more than prepared to decide if it’s the best protein skimmer around.

Coral Vue Technology Protein Skimmer: The Details

Specs

• Weight: 4 pounds shipped
• Dimensions: Footprint of 10.5 inches by 6.6 inches
• Capacity: 100 gallons
• Minimum and Maximum Water Level: Minimum 6 inches deep, maximum 10 inches deep
• Type of Skimmer: In-sump needle wheel skimmer with external air pump
• Warranty: 2 years on pump body, 1 year on pump rotor, and 1 year on skimmer body

Features

Protein Skimmer Overview

Protein skimmers are a very specific type of water filtration system for an aquarium.

Fish produce waste constantly, and that can make the tank cloudy and allow bad bacteria to grow even if you’re changing the water appropriately.

Protein skimmers, also referred to as “foam fractionators,” are special devices that collect waste that’s produced on a daily basis.

They use air flow to coagulate waste and form it into a foam that is pushed up a tube. Once it reaches the top, it overflows into a holding container that can be removed and washed out every few days.

Coral Vue Technology Octopus Needle Wheel Skimmer Overview

The Coral Vue Technology protein skimmer arrives with the skimmer body and an air pump to actually create the bubbles.

As larger tanks will require more bubbles, and smaller aquariums can be harmed by an access of the foam, it’s important to regulate the output to suit your unique tank.

That’s why this particular skimmer has a gate valve on the side that allows for more simple foam level adjustments, as well as a quick-release for the collection cup to facilitate easier cleaning.

The body is made of solid acrylic, while the collection cup and some of the other cleaning pieces are made of plastic to make cleaning a breeze.

Coral Vue probably knows how annoying it can get when your aquarium or tank seems to be making more noise than those who live in the house.

The air intake silencer aims to improve noise quality so you won’t have to compete with intake sounds over dinner.

It’s hybrid cone design makes it easy for micro bubbles to transition into the cup, while the precision water level control output valve allows you to have a little more control over your skimmer.

Coral Vue Technology Octopus Needle Wheel Skimmer Review

The Positives

Simple Cleaning System

As with all protein skimmers, you have to remove the collection cup and wash it under lukewarm water in order to clean the bacteria out.

The Coral Vue Technology Octopus Skimmer makes this even easier by providing a quick-release so you can get the cup out and back in with no hassle.

Because of the clear plastic, it’s also very easy to see when the bacteria is building up and when a wash is necessary.

Pulls a Lot of Bacteria

Some of our testers described it as the strongest skimmer they’d encountered yet.

While it may not be fun seeing all the goop it collections, it’s a visual confirmation that a job is being done well. After one or two cleanings, you’ll be certain you’re getting your money’s worth.

With most protein skimmers, people suggest washing the collection cup at least once per week, but with the Coral Vue Technology protein skimmer, be prepared to clean it twice or even three times a week.

Easy to Customize

Everyone’s aquarium is set up differently, whether from the mix of creatures, the decorations, or the amount of water.

On top of that, many prefer different things when it comes to protein skimming versus old-fashioned water changes.

In addition to giving you freedom over how many bubbles are produced for your unique tank, if you have more faith in changing the water personally than you do in a device, you can adjust it to collect less – and the controls required are easy to access.

You’ll have to experiment with it over a few days as your aquarium gets used to having a protein skimmer, but it’s pretty easy to zero in on.

Easy to Set-Up

For those who are just starting out in the world of aquatics, it will be relieving to know that this protein skimmer is as easy as pie to set up.

You won’t need a professional background to get this skimmer up and going in no time.

While directions are lacking (more on this below), it is designed to be easy to maneuver so you can get your tank clean asap. No tools required.

Here’s a video showing what the Coral Vue Technology Octopus Needle Wheel Skimmer looks like out of the box.

Built Strong

The Coral Vue Technology Octopus Skimmer is built to be strong and durable thanks to its solid acrylic construction.

Coral Vue ditches the flimsy, easily-breakable plastic in exchange for a heavy duty cast acrylic to make sure your skimmer doesn’t crack under pressure.

This serves as a reassurance that you won’t need to be replacing your skimmer anytime soon.

Warranty

Anyone who’s purchased anything knows that even when a company boasts top quality, there’s always a chance for something to go awry.

Coral Vue’s warranty on this skimmer will bring some relief.

Included with your purchase is a 2-year warranty on the skimmer pump, as well as a 1-year warranty on the rotor and the body.

This means you’ll be covered for each part of the Octopus Needle Wheel Skimmer if you notice any manufacturing or craftsmanship defects.

Coral Vue will repair or replace your skimmer free of charge, though we should note that spare parts aren’t covered if needed for repairs.

Price

While we won’t say it’s dirt cheap, the price tag on this skimmer sits below the unreasonable price mark so you won’t have to dig too deep into your savings to get a quality product.

It’s durable design and powerful performance allows the Coral Vue Octopus Skimmer to outshine cheaper, flimsier models while still standing up against pricier products.

You won’t have to spend a fortune to get a clean tank. This ‘just right’ price point will appeal to those who are trying to let their dollar stretch a little further.

 

The Negatives

Can Cause a Lot of Noise

For the most part, the Coral Vue Technology protein skimmer itself is a quiet machine, and doesn’t really make too much of a fuss.

However, the water flow can be very loud, especially if you’re running it on a higher level.

The best fix is to turn the waste-gate of the protein skimmer toward the sump wall, which tends to make it much quieter and easier to deal with.

Not Many Helpful Directions

People expect their product to arrive with instructions on how to set it up. However, the Coral Vue Technology protein skimmer ships with a relatively paltry instruction manual.

This leads many people to seek out help directly from the manufacturer or from forums and videos with other people who have the same skimmer.

Their customer service has proven very helpful in the past, and will likely be able to help with any issues you may have, but the extra steps to getting instructions can be understandably annoying.

Takes a Few Weeks to Break In                                                                  

With any new aquarium introductions, it will take a little while to introduce it to the aquarium, whether it’s new fish, new decorations, or a new cleaner.

The Coral Vue Technology protein skimmer is the same way; it needs to be run on its lowest setting for about two to four weeks after arriving before it can truly help your aquarium.

This can be annoying to people who want their protein skimmer to begin helping them once it arrives.

As long as you have the prior knowledge that it will take a certain degree of patience, it’s easier to avoid frustration and plan for extra water changes in the meantime.

Requires a Sump Aquarium                                                       

While a hang-on skimmer simply attaches to the side of your aquarium, in-sump skimmers like the Coral Vue Technology protein skimmer require their own aquarium to function properly.

Many people who own an aquarium use a sump aquarium to house other miscellaneous equipment like heaters, but if you don’t already have a sump aquarium, be forewarned that you’ll need to buy one for this device.

Overall Verdict

At the end of the day, the Coral Vue Technology Octopus Needle Wheel Skimmer carries a price tag that’s definitely not cheap, but with aquariums and the equipment you use for them, you generally get what you pay for.

It’s definitely the best protein skimmer if you’re looking for one that will work extremely hard and do its job well, as long as you’re able to clean the collection cup frequently.

This skimmer is great for getting a significant portion of the waste out of your aquarium, and your fish will absolutely thank you for it.

Where to Buy the Coral Vue Technology Octopus Needle Wheel Skimmer

The Coral Vue brand has a variety of filtration systems available on the market, including the Octopus Needle Wheel Skimmer.

Since this is a better known and trusted brand in aquatics, it won’t be too difficult to find in-store or online – especially in specialty aquatic shops.

Check out the following online retailers to start.

• Reef Outlets (from $189)
• Saltwater Aquariums (from $199)
• Premium Aquatics (from $199)

And of course, it’s also available on Amazon.

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That’s all for our review on the Coral Vue Technology Octopus Needle Wheel Skimmer. Tempted to give it a try?