CAD Lights Aquariums PLS-50 ELITE User manual

CAD Lights PLS-50 ELITE Pipeless Protein Skimmer

1550 S. Milliken Ave Bldg. E
Ontario, CA, 91761
Office [phone] / Email: [e-mail]
Congratulations on your purchase of the CAD Lights Aquariums™ PLS line of Pipeless protein skimmers. These fine
Protein skimmers offer many advanced and modern innovative design features originally designed by CAD Lights
Aquariums such as the space saving Pipeless technology and full control tension locking features. Here are the set up
instructions for the PLS-50 Elite Nano skimmer.
Features:
•Silent design
•CAD Lights Patent Pending Pipeless skimmer technology.
•Professional internal Bubble-Plate (Turbulence control)
•10G-60G Capacity (with respective live stock loads)
•100% Cell-Cast acrylic
•Hand-made quality craftsmanship
•Tension lock and full locking
•Pin-wheel air injection Venturi
•Slide mount
•Removable collection cup
•187GPH pump
•1 year manufacturer warranty
Assembly:
1) Take the 187 GPH Pin-wheel air injection pump and screw the male outflow adapter into the female threaded
fitting located on the bottom of the PLS-50 Elite skimmer base.
2) Screw in pump as far as you can go with the intake hole of the pump facing the opposite side of the Tension-
lock knob (Red flower knob). Its ok to leave some thread left for turning the pump left to right.
3) Slide in the air tube from hole located on top of the skimmer base mount (behind skimmer in the upper area)
and through the bottom corresponding hole located on bottom of base. Then attach the hose onto the nipple of
the intake fitting of the Volute (Black intake adapter of pump)
4) Take the air silencer (Clear acrylic cylinder with 2 tubes in its interior) and slip the air hose over one of the
holes, it doesn’t matter which hole you attach to.
Directions:
1) Now that the PLS-50 Elite is all assembled, you can now fit it into your filter chambers. The range of water
level to use the PLS-50 is 4.5”-7” and the optimal level is 5”.
2) Before putting the PLS-50 Elite into water, make sure the drain holes are aligned and that it is at maximum
opening. Loosen slightly the Control knob (Red flower knob) and you can turn the skimmer body left or right
to open and close the drain holes. This is the motion you need to do later to adjust the skimming and foam
level. Practice outside of tank if necessary to get more familiar with this turning adjustment.
3) Drain holes now should be aligned and at maximum opening. Pre-fit the skimmer in the back chambers and
adjust the tank mount as necessary to the operating height of your choice. Loosen or tighten the black
thumbscrew as needed to slide the mount up or down.
4) Loosen the red control knob (Tension lock) so there is an ease of motion as you turn the skimmer body to the
left and right. Make sure the drain holes all align to maximum opening prior to plugging in the pump.
5) Now you may plug in the 187GPH Pin-wheel skimmer pump.
6) Let it run for at least a minute until you start to adjust.

7) Now loosen the Red control knob so that you have a nice smooth motion where you can freely turn the
skimmer body holding either the base of the collection cup or the “Collar” of the skimmer’s upper
body. Turn counter-clockwise to raise the foam and turn clockwise to lower the foam and adjust to
your desired level. Once you have reached your desired foaming level, you can lock the adjustment by
tightening the Red control knob (tighten where the bottom surfaces touch and it is fine). Avoid tightening too
much or all the way; you only need it to be tight enough for it to hold the setting. Over tightening can
possibly tilt the body slightly and throw off your setting and leak out micro-bubbles in between the bottom
plates.
8) Each time you adjust the skimmer, make sure to loosen the tension lock first to get minimal restricted motion
on the body.
BREAK IN Period: this is the time it takes for the new pump and skimmer to loosen, equalize and balance itself
into your tank and its chemistry. The average break in period is typically 1-3 days. During this period, the
skimming level can be either too high or too low. You can make slight adjustments to it as needed. Once the PLS-
50 Elite has fully broken in with your water is when it will hold more consistent.
Maintenance:
1) To empty out the collected Protein (DOCs organic waste), you gently pull the collection cup upward and it
will disconnect with the skimmer body. Empty or clean as you wish and push back into the skimmer body.
2) Once in a while it is recommended to give the PLS-50 Elite a complete cleaning. To do this, the skimmer
takes apart in 4 pieces. The collection cup comes off, the skimmer body can be disassembled by removing the
Control knob (Red flower knob) and simply pull upward to separate from base, the pump unscrews off of the
bottom and the center bracket will remain.
3) Clean under warm water or diluted Vinegar (For soaking). Then re-assemble and place back into filter
chambers for use.
Troubleshooting excess micro-bubbles
Solution 1: Check to make sure the angled cut hole of the air intake stem (on the volute) is turned facing inward
towards the pump body. If you look into the volute and you see the angled cut hole, then it is facing the wrong direction
and needs to be turned.
Solution 2: Your tank may have conditioners, foods, supplements that are sensitive for the skimmer. This makes the
skimmer produce either excess amounts of bubbles or produce bubbles which cannot process (or pop) normally.
Solution 3: Make sure tank has completed the nitrogen cycle (4-6 weeks) before turning on the skimmer. Protein
skimmers are designed to remove and react only to DOC’s (Dissolved Organic Compounds). If your tank isn’t cycled
properly or completely, the skimmer will not react properly to the water and create excess bubbles or sometimes not
enough bubbles.
Limited 1 Year Warranty
This product is under warranty by CAD Lighting CO. against pump failure, leaks or cracks due to defects in materials
or workmanship for 1 year from the original date of purchase. Warranty does not cover physical damage. If this product
is found to be defective, the dealer you purchased it from is authorized to exchange it for a new one, provided this it has
not been modified, damaged, or misused. Proof of purchase must be provided
Thank you for choosing CAD Lights aquariums for your high performance aquarium equipment. We appreciate it very
much with our utmost appreciation,
Sincerely,
CAD Lights Aquariums Co.