Protein skimmer not working

[baloo4]

I have a protein skimmer (Sea Clone 100) and it has never worked properly. It as never ad any protein or bubbles in the collection cup. I have had it for a month now. If you look at the long tube, it looks like a tornado. Am I doing something wrong? Or is it just a bad protein skimmer?

 

[b bauer]

they are very bad at skimming I am sorry to say.Going cheep on the skimmer is a bad idea.Do you have a sump or do you need a HOB skimmer?

 

[baloo4]

hanging on side

 

[b bauer]

look at the aqua remora pro

 

[baloo4]

thnx

 

[nordy]

Have you tried adjusting the air bleed

[hr]
per instructions? Open the air bleed until you see a bubble in the intake tube then close the air bleed just until the bubble goes away. Try this a few times to get a feel for the right setting on the air bleed. I know that the Seaclone does not have a good rep, but my experience is that it works just fine, consistently producing a dark concentrated skimmate. You do have to keep the foam filter clean.
A tip on using the Seaclone, or other skimmers, is that using Amquel or other water treatments/stress reducer will stop your skimmer from properly foaming. It can take a week or more for that stuff to work its way out of the tank.