My new skimmer has finally kicked in!!

[mrstwig]

Lisa
I'm really happy to see this thread posted today because I'm frustrated with my non working Seaclone and ready to just buy another one. My question to you is which jebo exactly are you having such good luck with? There are several to choose from and I want to check out the one that you have had such success with. My tank is 29 gallon so I don't need a lot.
Thanks for your thread and your time.
Happy Holidays everyone!!

 

[fishmamma]

I accidentally posted on this thread after doing a search for the "Pro-Pack". I just ordered one yesterday for $55 plus shipping, hope I like it!

 

[mrstwig]

What brand is the Pro-Pack mama? I just played/adjusted my seaclone for an hour and the most I can get out of the thing is minimal foam and tons of micro bubbles. Help anyone??

 

[kdfrosty]

MrsTwig-
How long have you had the SeaClone in use, and which model do you have? There are a few mods that you can do to make them MUCH better skimmers.

 

[fishmamma]

Originally Posted by MrsTwig
What brand is the Pro-Pack mama? I just played/adjusted my seaclone for an hour and the most I can get out of the thing is minimal foam and tons of micro bubbles. Help anyone??
Not sure actually. :thinking:

 

[mrstwig]

Well I bought my whole set up used, it was 6 months old. The woman I bought it from obviously didn't realize that it was suppose to put out more than a teaspoon of condensation in the cup weekly, nor did I until I started reading and learning here about all the success of peoples skimmers and what they removed from their tanks.
I have done the search for the seaclone modifications but none of that seems very easy to me. I've adjusted my "tornado" all this morning and I can barely get a moderate amount of bubbles close to the top of the main container. There is white gunk sporatically coming out of the skimmer flow into my tank and the water in the chamber looks dirty but not brown or anything. I just don't think this thing works AT ALL. Maybe it never did. Any suggestions????

 

[stanlalee]

I dont know why people say seaclones dont work. its one thing to say they dont work well but mine WORKS and ALWAYS works! pics below are mine 4 days after cleaning the collection cup (and 30% water change on the tank. meaning this is with water with a low 5ppm nitrate level) on a 30 gallon tank. The amount of foam shown in the picture isn't even at its most active periods ( I just snapped that pic a few minutes ago after reading the thread. at peak the whole collection cup is filled with foam). as you can see at the bottom of the collection cup its most definately working. I dont have much to compare it to as far as effiency but for all those who claim theirs work inconsistantly, needs constant adjusting ect mine works like below ALL THE TIME within a few days of cleaning it. the only time I have to adjust it is once the water settles after water changes (ex set it at X before the tank settles to minimize bubbles in the tank and set it at Y once the tank is settled). Once the tank has settled from a water change (about 12-24hrs) it spits no bubbles in the tank and needs no adjusting. I cant be that special and mine cant be so different from everybody elses. No mods to it. latest model seaclone 100 with included maxijet 1200.
if your tank isn't well established the seaclone doesn't put out like above (mine took a few months to start working like it is but it after a week from installing it, it always put out something). also dont over adjust. the best thing you can do is leave it at one setting for 4 or 5 days, then try a new setting. If you adjust it everyday or several times a day you'll never figure out what works on your tank. good luck.

 

[mrstwig]

Wow Stanlalee, I'm impressed! I've never had one bit of scum in my cup nor emptied anything but condensation. I am not alone in having a problem with them from my searches but I sure wish I could get the thing to work, even somewhat. I will try and adjust it little bits over the next few days but it is just not getting any foam up at all, and putting out way too many micro bubbles. Any ideas anyone??

 

[fishmamma]

How big is your tank and how is your bio-load? What is the rating on the powerhead you are using?
I have been in contact with the Remora people a couple of times thinking that I am doing something wrong due to the small amount of skimmate I collect. They ahave assured me on my size tanks (16 and 29 gallons) I should not ever get a full cup of skimmate and that if the skimmate is the color of green tea things are working just fine. I do notice an increase in skimmate with daily cleanings of the collection cup and bi-weekly cleaning of the power head......just sharing my experience. Some people claim you should get a full cup of almost black skimmate but I have never seen it happen even on my highly rated Aqua C Remora.

 

[mrstwig]

My tank is a 29 and I have probably 40+ lbs of LR, 2-3" LS and three smaller fish, lots of inverts. I have never gotten anything of any color but small amounts of what looks like condensation in my cup. In other words..........nothing ever. Surely I should have something in there sometimes? I just don't think it is effective at all which leads me to believe it never did. I'm fairly mechanical but the thought of adjusting the length of pipes, etc worries me (referring to the modifications I've found of google). I really think I'll just buy a different skimmer, one that is easier to use and adjust.
I wish I could get an Aqua C but I think I'll buy a cheaper one for this 29 gallon and wait for the remora when I get my bigger tank. What do you think??

 

[mrstwig]

Also, I'm not sure if the Seaclone is a 100 or 150. The manual is for both and I don't see an easy to get to number on the unit. It does have a Maxijet 1200 on it

 

[fishmamma]

Yeah, you should be getting something. I love the Aqua C because I literally attached the power head and dropped it over the side of the tank, and aside from regular maintanece I have never had to do a thing to it, and I had skimmate within days of the install. So easy assebly and set-up is a huge bonus for me. It will be interesting to see how this Pro-Pack differs if at all, here is to hoping I like it even more due to it's reasonable price tag.
The maxi-jet 1200 on there should be pulling in some skimmate for you with out a doubt. I don't blame you for not wanting to modify, that could be such a headache. Sorry you are not having better luck with that skimmer. Have you ever soaked the entire unit in water and white vinegar?? I am grasping at straws here but maybe it came to you with some sort of oily film that prevents the skimmate from forming?? Or maybe it is just a dud.

 

[stanlalee]

here's my tank for size and bioload reference. I have 3 powerheads all together. One main 270gph and two small 106gph minijets. I only have 3 fish, a few snails and crustasceans and corals but not all that many yet.

 

[mrstwig]

I might try the vineger soak when I next do a water change, it sure couldn't hurt! Thanks for the input fishmamma!
Love those pictures Stanalee, wonderful looking tank! I'm hoping to add some more color to mine as my zoo's get going. It all takes time doesn't it? I am just so frustrated with this skimmer, but everything is going great in my tank otherwise so I should just count my blessings. I sure wish santa would bring me something for my tank but my hubby already thinks I'm spending wayyyy to much on this "bargain" tank and I haven't broken the news to him yet that I plan on getting a bigger one within a few months. I'm looking into and researching adding a fuge when I go to the 75 or 125, anybody have any suggestions there??
Thanks everyone on here, you are all great to help the novices!

 

[fishmamma]

Glad to help, but I still consider myself a "novice".

Everyday as I research and learn I feel as though I know less and less about the hobby. ***) This board has been a great tool, things would have likely gone very differently for me with out it!

 

[mrstwig]

Hey what kind of Goby is that in your avatar mamma? I just bought the orange diamond yesterday and I am in love with him already! So cute the way he sifts the sands and very personable already. I definately want another Goby when I get a bigger tank!

 

[mrstwig]

I can't believe it, I actually have some foam coming up the cylinder for the Very First Time!!!
I guess all my tinkering and help from those on here might actually pay off! YEA!!

 

[fishmamma]

Oh, you got a great goby there yourself, I do like those orange diamonds, almost bought one instead of my Monster Goby. The one in my avatar is a pink-spotted shrimp goby. Quite the character!!

 

[fishmamma]

Originally Posted by MrsTwig
I can't believe it, I actually have some foam coming up the cylinder for the Very First Time!!!
I guess all my tinkering and help from those on here might actually pay off! YEA!!
:cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

 

[mudplayerx]

Gratz on your new skimmer Monalisa! Lord knows I am ready for a new one. You know I've had that piece of junk visi-jet for a year now and the only way I get it to work is spending a couple of dollars a month replacing the limewood airstone for the frankenstein add-on that I constructed. It works well, but it's ugly and has a maintainance cost associated with it.
I'll be building a new skimmer hopefully after Christmas from components from the local hardware store. I plan to build one of the 4-footer Berlin'style skimmers that sit outside of the tank. That way I can make up for a lack of a sump and have some awsome, inexpensive skimmin.