Adjusting Seaclone

[yetex]

can you give me some tips on how to adjust this skimmer. I just can't seem to get it to produce enough foam to even go into over flow cup.

 

[i like fish]

I had the best luck with mine if I opened the valve all the way, then slowly closed it untill there was no dead area at the top of the tube coming off the powerhead.

 

[jester]

remove the sponge filter, run it wide open

 

[i like fish]

I think it depends which model you have, mine is the new style (green box). I got too many bubbles if I took the sponge off.

 

[entice59]

i got the new one, and i dont understand it.. When the valve is closed tight, does that mean its skimming or when its fully open?

 

[angelofish]

Ive got the new version and Ive noticed that how high the tank is filled also is a factor. I run mine full open without the sponge. Sometimes it has to run a while before it produces any foam.

 

[rsd]

Not sure if we have the same model or not. Mine was a venturi system and it sucked. Actually it didn't... do anything that is. I modified it by removing the air line into PH. This let it move more water through the system so my tank level didn't matter anymore. Then I drilled a hole in the lid and added a wood airstone... also an airpump and valve. Check out the diagram and see if this would help.

 

[angelofdeath132]

i've got the new style seaclone also on my 55 FO, i've read you guys talking about running it without the sponge on it, if you can run it without the sponge,then whats the sponge for? just wondering,cause if it works, i'll take mine off too!

 

[jester]

It's just a prefilter. Works better without it. After a veryshort time, it doesn't let the full flow into it and performance drops.

 

[elcid]

When you guys say to remove the sponge..are you saying the one inside the cup or the one that is conected to the powerhead?.

 

[jester]

powerhead

 

[jhead]

Manufacturer FAQ
http://www.aquariumsystems.com/frequent.htm
http://www.aquariumsystems.com/skimnote.htm
Basically give it time to break in and then run it wide open. I actually pulled the adjuster completely off of mine.

 

[dreeves]

Maybe your tank doesn;t contain any dissolved organics or anything else needing to be skimmed...

 

[yetex]

yeah i read that it might take months on a new tank to start working like it should. My tank is still in its cycle so not to much going on with it. I deceided to leave the air valve full open and just see how it is working. I guess i just won't worry about it for awhile

 

[kpogue]

The next adjustment I make to my seaclone will be to the dumpster! All in all, this is about the WORST piece of crap I have ever seen. I should know, you get what you pay for.....

 

[mightyoxjuice]

You do need to do a little bit of routine maintenance to the seaclone skimmer, like cleaning it. Once a month for 20 minutes(that is if you are extremely anal retentive) to clean it.

 

[darkrose]

Originally posted by yetex
yeah i read that it might take months on a new tank to start working like it should. My tank is still in its cycle so not to much going on with it. I deceided to leave the air valve full open and just see how it is working. I guess i just won't worry about it for awhile
EEK! don't do that!!
I did that on my seaclone and it ended up not pushing enough water through. I'm still trying to get rid of the red slime and hair algae. (almost there!!)
My valve is about 1/2 way closed. When I adjust I go wide open and slowly turn the valve until just before I start getting bubbles in the tank. If you look at the action, you will see a very nice vortex going in the tube to the reaction chamber when it's set right. If it's not a tight vortex, you've got it set too low.
If I remember, I'll take some pics of what my vortex looks like when I get home..