skimmer and coraline algae problems

[Celbrise]

1. I have a seaclone protein skimmer and although it's not the best and has a lot of bad reviews i went and bought it anyways. it's been running for a while now about a month maybe longer and it really does not skim. bubbles form and then it will rise to the top then collapse back down not reaching the very top at all. it will do this for maybe 1-3 days max until skum is built up on the inside and then it just stops completely . i've cleaned it up tried to toy with the air valve but nothing seems to be working. any possible fixes for this? i really don't want to invest in another skimmer atm for personal reasons.

2. i put in some coraline algae plates ( just some pvc plates with coraline all over it and it doesn't seem to be spreading at all. for the most part the only thing bad about my tank parameter wise is the nitrates which is 160 been trying to lower it for about a month now but am wondering is there anything i can do to help it spread or will it simply spread even with the high nitrates? i put my light on but that didn't seem to help it much so i turned it off for now as this tank gets natural light anyways. most of the plates are still covered but they seem to be slowly lowering not sure if it's because of the nitrates or simply because my fish keep nibbling on it.

 

[Wicked5oh]

I'm new to saltwater but I believe if you scrapped the Caroline with a knife over the top of the water allowing it to spread around the tank it may take off better that way?

I believe to get rid of your high nitrates you may need to do some water changes.

I also had issues with my coralife skimmer not creating enough bubbles to skim. Cleaned every thing with warm water. I read that salt can build up in the air lines. Also I had to move my pump up closer to the surface. About 3 inches from top of water and it created a lot more bubbles and started to work correctly. But again I'm pretty new to this so maybe wait for others to give their 2 cents.

 

[superbluetang]

Coralife skimmer just does not perform like other brands. I use to have this skimmer and it would take for ever to skim. On the positive note, when it did skimmed, it's super dark. Just get a newer bigger skimmer. You'll see the difference.

 

[Celbrise]

I'm new to saltwater but I believe if you scrapped the Caroline with a knife over the top of the water allowing it to spread around the tank it may take off better that way?

I believe to get rid of your high nitrates you may need to do some water changes.

I also had issues with my coralife skimmer not creating enough bubbles to skim. Cleaned every thing with warm water. I read that salt can build up in the air lines. Also I had to move my pump up closer to the surface. About 3 inches from top of water and it created a lot more bubbles and started to work correctly. But again I'm pretty new to this so maybe wait for others to give their 2 cents.

How did you move your pump it's some what fixed with the pipe but I had the same thing happen before when water evaporated. But it is already around 3 inches to the top on mine.

 

[Celbrise]

Coralife skimmer just does not perform like other brands. I use to have this skimmer and it would take for ever to skim. On the positive note, when it did skimmed, it's super dark. Just get a newer bigger skimmer. You'll see the difference.

Yea I figured a better one would have been needed I don't want to buy one because I'm Contemplating on going from a 55gal tank to a 120gal tank that or simply cutting my loses with the hobby due to expenses. Lots of strict laws here making it difficult to enjoy 5he salt water aspect