Originally Posted by bill109
i found info on it and bought the skimmer it is really easy to use/setup the skimmer i bought is a Aqua C urchin remora pro it cam with the 1400 rio for about 200 i had a coupon for 10 off but i 4 GOT IT
Okay you had me a little confused with the "sea" urchin and hang on back use. I take it you got the AquaC "remora" (same as the Urchin except Urchin is for sump use only). Perhaps you meant C Urchin the C for AquaC
If you infact did get the Remora "pro" new locally which is hard to believe (but must be tru if it came with a Rio 1400) for that price with or without a $10 coupon that is a great price and I'm no longer mad at your LPS. If the pump ever goes bad get a Mag 3, it will work better and last longer.
As for the seaclone comment yes it works okay but I'll give you its down falls and I've had mine for about a year:
a) adjustability- the only way to alter the water level in the body is to decrease/increase air. this is azz backwards. they need to be independent or just the water level itself. I dont even need an air adjustment because bubble production [for me] works best wide open (so I virtually have no adjustability). sometimes you need full air AND a higher water level. Cant be done with the seaclone because more air=less pump pressure=lower water level and theres nothing else to slow water flow down within the body. there are plenty of times when the air bubble production is fine but the water level can not be raised as you would with most other venturi skimmers. Now yes you get decent production (for its size which will be point b) but you have little to no control over wetness/dryness of skimate or production. On other skimmers if its not getting quite over the top you simply help it out by raising the water level within the body without messing with the air intake or lower it if your getting good production but prefer dryer skimate(or in the case of the AquaC remoras/urchins lower or raise the collection cup position).
b) its small- show me any other reputable venturi skimmer with a 3.5" body, 18" height and 295gph pump with a 100gallon rating (AquaC works on completely different technology so its non applicable here). It is physically impossible for a venturi skimmer of that structure and that size pump to process enough water (turn over) or skimate production for a 100 gallon tank. It doesn't have a needle wheel or any other bells or whistles to further help production like a small coralife or ASM mini which are both physically alot bigger and rated for alot less. even those (the ASM at least) are considered overated.
so does it work: yes
does it produce enough skimate to be effective for a 30g: yes
could it be designed better without costing a dime more: I believe so
is it adequate for a 55g: not by conventional thinking but you can have a great looking tank with NO skimmer. you may believe in mild skimming. you may stock lightly ect.