AquaticLife Internal Mini Skimmer 115 Owner's manual

In-Tank Marine Mini-Skimmer 115 Model: 510114
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide
For technical assistance or warranty issues,
contact Aquatic Life at
[e-mail]
OVERVIEW
The Aquatic Life Mini Skimmer 115 mixes
air with water from your salt water tank to
produce micro-bubbles. As the bubbles rise to
the top of the housing, protein collects on the
bubbles’ membranes. Once the bubbles reach
the top of the housing they “pop” and disperse
the protein they were carrying onto the
bubbles below. This process continues until
the membrane is thick enough to be pushed
up the Collection Cup Chamber and into the
Collection Cup.
Aer the initial 14 day break-in period, the
main variable for how many bubbles make it
to the Collection Cup is the amount of protein
in the water. Since the amount of protein in the
water fluctuates, the amount of bubbles that
survive the journey will also vary.

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In-Tank Marine
Mini-Skimmer 115
Model: 510114
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide www.aquaticlife.com
A) READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS.
B) DANGER – To avoid possible electric shock,
special care should be taken since water is
employed in the use of aquarium
equipment. For each of the following
situations, do not attempt repairs by
yourself; return the appliance to an
authorized service facility for service or
discard the appliance:
1) If the appliance falls into the water,
DON’T reach for it! First unplug it and
then retrieve it. If electrical components
of the appliance get wet, unplug the
appliance immediately.
(Non-immersible equipment only)
2) If the appliance shows any sign of
abnormal water leakage, immediately
unplug it from the power source.
(Immersible equipment only)
3) Carefully examine the appliance aer
installation. It should not be plugged in
if there is water on parts not intended
to be wet.
4) Do not operate any appliance if it has a
damaged cord or plug, or if it is
malfunctioning or has been dropped or
damaged in any manner.
5) To avoid the possibility of the appliance
plug or receptacle getting wet, position
aquarium stand and tank to one side of a
wall-mounted receptacle to prevent water
from dripping onto the receptacle or plug.
A drip loop,shown in the figure to the
le, should be arranged by the user for
each cord connecting an aquarium
appliance to a receptacle. The drip loop
is that part of the cord below the level of the
receptacle, or the connector if an extension
cord is used, to prevent water traveling
along the cord and coming in contact with
the receptacle. If the plug or receptacle does
get wet, DON ’T unplug the cord. Disconnect
the fuse or circuit breaker that supplies
power to the appliance. Then, unplug
and examine for presence of water in
the receptacle.
Aquarium
Appliance
Power
Cord
Drip Loop
WARNING:
Failure to follow any attached
instructions and operating
parameters will lead to the
product’s failure and will void
your warranty.
WARNING:
To guard against injury, observe
all listed safety precautions.
Collection Cup & Cap
Hang-on BracketMain Housing
Suction Cup Mounting Clips (2) Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide
Contents

4 5
In-Tank Marine
Mini-Skimmer 115
Model: 510114
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide www.aquaticlife.com
MOUNTING OPTION 1 -
Suction Cups Clips
The suction cup mounting clips are mounted
and ready for installation in the aquarium or
filtration area. The suction cups allow the
Mini-Skimmer to be positioned almost
anywhere inside the aquarium.
COLLECTION CUP
Install the collection cup on the top of the
skimmer. The fit is meant to be tight to help
seal the cup with the Mini-Skimmer housing.
Hold the skimmer while attaching the cup to
prevent changing its mounting position.
MOUNTING OPTION 2 -
Hang-on Bracket
Slide the mounting lock onto the mounting
bracket and then slide the assembled bracket
into the top mounting clip on the
Mini-Skimmer.
Adjust the height to best position the skimmer.
BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH YOUR MINI-SKIMMER
Aquarium
Glass
Collection
Cup
Cap
Aquarium
Glass
Hang-on
Bracket
Assemble
Hang-on
Bracket
Suction Cup
Clips
SKIMMER POSITIONING
Position the skimmer so that the water level is
within the Discharge Grate located on the right
side of the Mini-Skimmer.
DO YOU SEE YOUR SKIMMER:
• Producing clear skimmate?
• Overflowing the collection cup?
• Producing excess bubbles in the aquarium?
If you answered YES to one or more of the
above, then you likely have something in the
water causing the bubbles to stay intact longer
than normal.
To better understand, think of adding soap to
water. Before adding soap, bubbles will break
quickly and easily. Aer soap is added, the
bubbles stay formed in the water for longer.
The situation with the skimmer is like soap
added to water.
To help remove the material causing
excess bubble production:
• Raise the skimmer height in the aquarium
to slow the water flow through the skimmer.
(Figures 1a & 1b)
• Turn the unit o for a few days and use a
carbon canister filter to remove the
foreign material. There are many canister
filters available and some can hang on the
aquarium. (Figure 2)
WATER
LEVEL
RANGE
1
"
WATER LEVELWATER LEVEL
POSITIONING YOUR MINI-SKIMMER
Discharge
Grate
IMPORTANT:
Do not add the skimmed water in the collection cup back
into the aquarium. This will cause the skimmer to continue
over-producing bubbles.
Make note of new items in the aquarium that cause the
skimmer to over-produce or overflow. Fish foods, additives
and filtration media can cause skimmers to over-produce.
Standard
Water Level
Water Level if
Over-Skimming
1a
2
1b
Main Housing
NOTE: You can use both the suction
cups & mounting bracket together.

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In-Tank Marine
Mini-Skimmer 115
Model: 510114
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide www.aquaticlife.com
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Water Level
• The water level for the skimmer should
remain stable and not change. If there are
water level changes, you will notice that the
skimmer’s bubble level will also change.
A stable, fixed water line is crucial.
• The initial water level for the Mini-Skimmer
should be somewhere between the middle
to bottom of the Discharge Grate. If the
skimmer is submerged further you may find
that the skimmer is not as easy to control.
• The skimmer Water Intake must be below the
water line and the top of the Venturi tube
(Air Intake) must be above the water line.
Microbubbles
Common reasons why skimmers may
release microbubbles outside of the skimmer:
• Is this the first skimmer used on the
aquarium? Most skimmers require a break-in
period. Raising the skimmer about an inch
out of the aquarium will help slow the bubble
rise in the collection cup. As the skimmate
(material collected in the collection cup)
is concentrated and the bubbles in the
skimmer lessen, you can lower the skimmer
to the proper height.
• Some fish food & additives can cause the
skimmers to over-produce and start to
overflow the collection cup. First, take note
of what food/additive is causing this reaction.
Second, raise the skimmer out of the water
about an inch until the skimmer returns to
normal.
CONTROL KNOB ADJUSTMENT
Adjusting the control knob on the skimmer
will open & close the Discharge Grate, helping
to raise and lower the bubble column.
• More OPEN Grate =
LOWER Bubble Column
• More CLOSED Grate =
HIGHER Bubble Column
MAINTENANCE
WATER INTAKE
Every three months or as needed
Inspect the Water Intake and clear any
obstructions that would impede water flow.
If water conditions are abnormal and there is
more detritus, debris or suspended material
in the water you may need more frequent
maintenance.
HOUSING & COLLECTION CUP
Every three months or as needed
To clean the Skimmer, remove the Collection
Cup and Mounting Clips to open the Housing.
Wipe the inside & outside of the Housing and
Collection Cup with a clean, moist cloth to
remove salt and debris.
The Housing and Collection Cup can be soaked
in 1:1 Vinegar/Water solution to help remove
calcium build-up.
IMPELLER & MOTOR ASSEMBLY
Every three months
Open the housing to gain access to the Motor
Assembly.
Disassemble the Impeller/Motor Assembly
and clean the Impeller Parts and Motor with a
toothbrush and 1:1 Vinegar/Water solution.
Be careful not to lose the black Impeller Sha
Bushings. They will occasionally stick in the
motor or housing during disassembly.
Control
Knob
Discharge
Grate
ADJUSTING BUBBLE COLUMN & MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE & TROUBLESHOOTING
IMPORTANT:
Unplug the Mini-Skimmer prior
to performing any maintenance.
Impeller
Motor Housing
Motor Assembly
Air Supply
Hose Hose
Connection
Water
Intake
Air
Intake
Impeller Sha
Bushing Bushing
Stuck Bushing
Complete cleaning by making sure the Air
Supply Hose & Connection are free of debris.

In-Tank Marine Mini-Skimmer 115 Model: 510114
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide
USA WARRANTY
Aquatic Life warrants this product only when purchased
and used in the United States and is not responsible
for products outside the USA. 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 eective 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
[e-mail]
www.aquaticlife.com
4/12/23