Today I installed the Sapphire Aquatics Solana / Cardiff Nano Skimmer which I had ordered from my LFS several weeks ago and picked up last week. This is replacing the skimmer which I had installed to replace the stock skimmer but was disappointed by how much maintenance it required. This skimmer is a drop in replacement for the stock skimmer.

The following are unpacking pictures:

Installation:

I set up a five gallon bucket with water and vinegar mix to run the skimmer in for the first 24 hours to ensure I get any manufacturing residue removed and to speed up the break in time.

Observations & Notes

2009-11-26: Break In Period
Breaking in skimmer in a 5 gallon bucket solution of Vinegar and Water

2009-11-28: Installed
Installed today and all seems well

2009-12-15: Status Update on Performance
So far I am very happy with the skimmer. Skimming great and it is very quiet!

2009-12-27: Mesh Wheel Issue
I notice a decrease in performance so I took it out to clean. I notice the airline was kinked so I replaced with a more rigid version. When I got to cleaning the mesh wheel, I realized most of the mesh had disintegrated from the wheel. I have emailed Sapphire Aquatic’s technical support to see if this was a known issue or just an issue with mine as I have only had it installed for a month.

2009-12-28: Mesh Wheel Issue – New Wheel Finished Development
Just finished reading a thread over at Nano-Reef.com about a few others having same issue with a new and improved impeller in works as we speak. Hope the improved version with an epoxy covering does the trick.

Before I had found the thread over at Nano-Reef.com, I emailed Sapphire Aquatics asking about this last night. Kyle from Sapphire Aquatics had already emailed me by 10am after a long holiday. Impressive! I ordered replacement today.

2010-01-17: Mesh Wheel Issue – New Wheel Update
After receiving a second mesh wheel as the first had an issue with the mesh falling off as it was not glued down properly to replace the original mesh wheel which disintegrated, my observations after installation is the wheel is more efficient than the original mesh wheel. This has been a bit of a problem as I have dropped the gate all the way to lowest setting but still filling cup in about 30 minutes. I am going to assume I am experiencing another break in period so I will give it a week before trying to raise the skimmer until proper skimming occurs.

2010-01-22: Mesh Wheel Issue – New Wheel Efficiency Solution
When I replaced the mesh wheel with the new and improved version which became available at the beginning January, the mesh wheel was too efficient causing skimmer to overproduce bubbles causing skimmer cup to fill instantly. A solution has been identified and installed which appears to have resolved the issue. By placing an airline 2-way valve inline of the pump’s air intake and before the air silencer, fine tuning is possible correcting problem.

New issue people may have is it appears Sapphire Aquatics has stopped production as their direct purchasing link from their website is no longer available so replacement parts are not available. Reports are also indicating the skimmers are no longer available at many of the retail channels indicating possible short term or long term production shut down. Final details are pending but does not look good by these initial reports. Hopes are this is only temporary or another explanation.

2010-02-06: Final Word
With the new mesh wheel and the 2-way valve to fine tune, this skims excellent! Bad news, Sapphire Aquatics has officially went out of business which is a huge loss to the nano market.

2010-08-04: Update
Still going strong and skimming great. This continues to demonstrated by assisting the system keeping the nutrients at or near undetectable levels. With the new mesh wheel and the 2-way valve modification, I would have recommended this skimmer to everyone. The mesh wheel is still going strong but realize one day I will need to find solution when it needs replaced. I am not fond of having to do my own mod by using fish line and Enkamat Mesh as you then have to deal with the balance, fouling, and durability issues.

As time passes, my dream of someone stepping in to take over Sapphire Aquatics is becoming more and more a pipe dream.

Conclusions

With the news Sapphire Aquatics has stopped operations, it will be a moot point but once the improved epoxied mesh wheel was installed and a 2-way airline valve installed, it skimmed great and is super quiet. Hopefully someone will take over operations or a new nano skimmer comes to market which addresses the deficiencies of others on the market.

DISCLAIMER: Your results may very as each system is very different from another. For my tank parameters and environment, this was my observations and conclusion. This was not a controlled experiment so there is a potential for a very large margin of error.

References

Feldman, Ken S., Kelly M. Maers, Lauren F. Vernese, Elizabeth A. Huber, Matthew R. Test. “The Development of a Method for the Quantitative Evaluation of Protein Skimmer Performance.” Advanced Aquarist’s Online Magazine. Jan 2009. Reefs.org Publication. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/aafeature2. Accessed on 26 Nov 2009.

Feldman, Ken S., Kelly M. Maers. “Further Studies on Protein Skimmer Performance.” Advanced Aquarist’s Online Magazine. Jan 2010. Reefs.org Publication. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature. Accessed on 22 Jan 2010.

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