throwing this protein skimmer in the trash!!

I know you get what you pay for but I'm running a tank that could 'live' without a protein skimmer so I got this one just to start off.
New Protein Skimmer w 300GPH Gal Pump Aquarium Tanks | eBay
it came in a made in china box with no directions, nada.
I put the cup on and tested it in the sink. The seals and fit was a joke so I used silicone to create an air/watertight gasket around the base of the cup so it wouldnt leak everywhere.
It's beyond break in point over a few weeks. No foam in the cup. There's a decent cyclone you and see at the bottom and top but not the middle. Even if the cup fit properly, I couldn't take it out to dump it without shutting the skimmer off because water would pour everywhere!
I left the Ebay seller a message saying it leaked and got no reply so I left neutral feedback because it's kinda my fault. I knew it was crap when I bought it!
Ive adjusted the valve, lowered and raised the tube. No use.

It's going in the garbage.

I know this isnt marketplace but does anybody have a hang off the back skimmer they dont need anymore and can sell me cheap? Im gonna cry

Garbage? What do you think...yes?

 

call me, but you can go awhile without a skimmer with you tank, just up the WCS a bit and decrease feeding a bit. you over feed anyways

 

and never throw stuff like that away, you can use the pump to mix WCs and help with them, and they have valves ond other things you can use.

 

Are you running this on your tank, or just testing it?

 

Look at the bright side- At least you only paid half-price for a Chinese knock-off; the original SeaClown isn't much better.

Agreed. The pump has several uses (powerhead, mixing pump, etc), and the body could be modded into a GAC, GFO, or pellet reactor.

 

Funny - the ebay picture shows it running on a freshwater tank!! Yeah, waste of money but keep the parts. But for now, more oxygen in tank,more flow. I've got a coralife skimmer and that one sucks too but still better than yours....

That's why I like my skimmer in the sump - if I don't get the seals just right it won't matter...

 

I noticed that too haha.

If you have a larger pump hanging around, it may be worth a shot to hook it up. If not, ohh well.

Like most hobbies the saying, "Buy once, cry once." holds true for most all of this hobby.

 

I made the mistake of buying this same skimmer when I first started I soon realized what a pos it was and promptly took in off my tank and bought a aquamaxx and couldn't be happier

I did however take the pump off the other "skimmer" and use it to mix water for my water changes

 

no worries you bought a pump and you got some extras for free. I also have made the mistake of buying off ebay from a china clone has not worked for me either. You do get what you pay for. Good luck and just part of the learning curve.

that is funny that it's on a FW aquarium.

 

you bought the same pump? hilarious! Live and learn, yes.
I pulled the powerhead off and am using it for circulation along with my other one. Amazing! My creatures starting acting differently almost immediately. My CBS did a wicked huge molt and my fish are circumventing the entire tank instead of their own little favorite areas.

Anybody want a POS skimmer with no pump FFS for building? lol. It would make an awesome 80ng I suppose

Oh and, found my little goby. He had a mini growth spurt while in hiding! ;D