Protein Skimmer Help

[howieumd]

I need some help with my protein skimmer. I am not sure how the air flow is supposed to be adjusted correctly. It's a Sea Clone 100 Protein Skimmer. The problem is that when it seems to be operating correctly, and collecting the foam in the cup, it's pushing out way too many little bubbles into the tank. When I turn the air flow down, so no bubbles, or very few, are coming into the tank, it doesn't create any foam and nothing collects in the collection cup. Is it ok for the bubbles to go into the tank, so this skimmer will work correctly and collect the foam? I don't like seeing all the little bubbles flowing throughout the tank, plus I heard it's not good for the fish, however, it needs to operate correctly and collect foam. Does anybody have any ideas of what I can do?

 

[zap800]

if you just got your skimmer then it will take a few days for the skimmer to work correctly. just keep playing with the settings. adjust the water level just below the place where the tube on top starts to get smaller. lastly alwys remember with skimmers you get what you pay for. if you have a cheap one then you get a cheap one.
but thats my $.02

 

[howieumd]

I've had the skimmer for almost two months now. It's always worked fine. It takes out a lot of waste in the collection cup. The other day I cleaned it and turned the air flow all the way off, so the water ran through with no air. In adjusting it back, so that it creates foam, I'm having problems getting it work right now. Either I get no foam going through it with no bubbles in the tank, or a lot of small bubbles in the tank, but it's cleaning the water by collecting waste in the foam cup. I guess I have to just keep playing with the air flow to get it just right again, although I just can't seem to get it.

 

[ohioreef]

I have a SeaClone also.
What do you mean by adjust the water level? Mine is sitting in my sump, do you mean the depth that it is sitting in or the actual water level inside the skimmer tubes?

 

[big slick]

I am curious about this as well, as I am going to be purchasing a skimmer in the next few days, and wanted to stay in the ball park of $80 or so....what model would you buy, and why?

 

[marvida]

I run my Seaclone about one turn open when the air line is clean, this changes as salt builds up in the line. I haven't had a bubble problem since it was about 3 weeks old. Just keep adjusting it, this is one downside of these skimmers, but I still like them on small tanks. I have mine on a 10.

 

[zap800]

well if you want to spend around 80 dollars then i would recomend the red sea prizm. i have one after buying a few cheap ones and i really like it. it took about a day to get it fine tuned. i got mine onsale but it is normally around 80 for the standard and 200 for the pro. the difference between the two is slight. and you can buy an upgrade kit for 24 dollars and you will have one that is really close to the 200 dollar one. the regular one is good for tanks up to 100 gal.
but thats my $.02

 

[big slick]

Thanks Zap,
I have a 125......still think the standard model could handle the job?
:notsure:

 

[doodle1800]

I have a SeaClone 100 and it works fine. There are issues with it leaking and being able to clean it. I've solved both. For the leaking input I put a ring of silicone around where the o ring is, inserted the input tube and let it dry over night. This is outside the aquarium, not in, of course. To clean it, if you wish, there is a large O ring at the top that can be removed. When you do this the center tube can then be removed for cleaning. As for bubbles, bubbles don't hurt fish, some corals do not like bubbles, but generally they won't harm anything. The bubbles should go away after a period of time. Turn the air intake all the open, then slowly close valve when you think the air is at its max. You can hear it if you listen closely. There should be a tight funnel at the bottom of the tube. Make sure the top is seated firmly and the water level is touching the output lip. I know this sounds like a lot of work for a skimmer, but for $75, I thought it was worth it. Also - do not make any physical changes to the skimmer, as some have advised, cutting the top tube shorter, etc.... No need.
hope this helps..

 

[mujtba]

i duno what all the fuss is about. i had my seaclone 100 for over a week. i traded in the stupid prizm for it. the seaclone is awesome.. why do people say u get wat u payed for? a Toyota Corolla is more reliable than a Subaru. the $100 seaclone isnt cheap. can u just sh*t on $100? i dont think so...
yo get the seaclone 100 man.. it works great. its been skimmin 1inch per day for me.. i think ttahst awesome..
dont belive the hype!!!!
adjust the air valve to half way open and ull be aight...
lata

 

[daveb]

I have a Seaclone 150 on my tank, and also like it very much. After it aged and started working and producing, it has been wonderful. The water flow thru the skimmer is what causes the micro bubbles in the tank. What I did was slow the flow down to the point there were few bubbles, and built a trap that the skimmer dumps into to baffle the rest.
The main thing I have found is that when the foam starts decreasing to the point where there is no product, instead of tinkering with the airflow, I add a capful of AQUASAFE to my water. The skimmer starts producing foam in minutes again without touching the airflow valve. When it starts slowing down again, usually every three or four days, another capful of AQUASAFE and it is good for four more days...
Dave

 

[ohioreef]

The biggest issue I have with my SeaClone is salt build up in the airline.
I have discovered that rather than tearing it apart or replacing the airline, I just completely unscrew the air valve and inject some hot RO water with a small syringe and it clears it right up. I usually squirt several syringe fulls just to be sure and then put the valve back in and readjust it.

 

[doodle1800]

Originally posted by phipps
The biggest issue I have with my SeaClone is salt build up in the airline.

I've had this happen also - I just pulled the tube, cleaned it in hot water and blew it out.
But.... I've actually also had a catastrophe happen. I shut my skimmer off for awhile and the tank started to siphon out of the air tube. Lost a few inches of water before I noticed. Be careful not to shut the skimmer off and not to let the air hose dangle.