Seaclone 150

[gmc03sonom]

Hi guys, merry christmas to all... I got a seaclone 150 for my 135 a week or so ago.. Are these skimmers pieces of junk? i can't get the thing to work right.... I either have too many fine bubbles going into the tank or the collection cup fills up with water... Also it's really loud. I read in the instructions that if you have any kind of de-clorine (stress coat) it may cause that problem.. but i put that in weeks ago! I have heard plenty of bad things about them but i'd like to know what you guys think...
thanks alot

 

[gmc03sonom]

I have heard of modifying them but i dont want to go through that much trouble.. I have the recipt and i think i might take it back but i'd still like to hear what u guys think... also any tips on returning it? the owner of the place isn't a nice guy.. i've dropped like 1,500 bucks in his store though

 

[snipe]

Ppl say they dont like them some use them. MY lfs uses one for his personell use right in is store! I dont know on how to change it or anything might look on the net. If you dont want to go that route take it back and look on ----.

 

[smbuddy46]

i just installed one on my 125 about a week and a half ago. it seems to working alright, i get about a quarter of an inch of brown slim out of it daily. i enpty it and keep it clean the bubble seems to climb up the tube better. as for the noise i can't really say this is my first one so i have nothing to compare it to. there was a thread somewhere that someone had modified theirs to be more productive.

 

[snipe]

Sorry about the ---- thing didnt see that one post till just now. If you want to erase it admin go ahead I wont care. Also on the seaclone Like I said ppl use them and like them and ppl use them and dont. My LFS told me that ppl are like that they get something and it dont work for them so they tell you not to use it. And then they get something that works so they tell you its the best thing in the world lol so it is just a decision you will have to make.

 

[offshore80]

I put one in my system about a week ago also. It was just to help my EV 180 which does a great job. But my system is so big I decided to add another as an after thought. My system goes through the wall and into my garage where I have a 30 gal QT and a small 20 gal fuge. After I saw the one in my LFS working and the amount of junk it was pulling out of his system I thought 120 bucks wasn't to bad considering I'm spending a fortune in water changes cause of high nitrates due to my bio load. Any how it's been a week and I'm just now seeing some foam. I asked the LFS and he was telling me the break in time is a couple weeks. So we'll see. But, we all know you get what you pay for. My EV 180 was 3 times that and so far works 3 times better. I would be patient or spend the money on a ER or EV skimmer. Here is a picture of mine. Oh, I made the modifications to make it work better with the air stone and air pump but it made even more noise. But it did seem to work a lot better.

 

[zelfin]

I have a seaclone 100. I have found a few mods. but the easiest one that I did was to replace that cheap air valve.
The one that comes witht he skimmer is not good at all. My seaclone did nothing but give me bubbles for the first few weeks. Now it has cleared up but I get little to no skimmage. I would LOVE to believe its because my LR/LS cleans up most of the crap but I think the skimmer just is no all that good.
The Basic Tasks of Modification
There are three basic tasks that can individually enhance a Seaclone's performance.
1) Replace the stock air flow adjustment end cap and replace with a air adjustment valve.
2) Reduce the inner most riser tube's length to approximately 2-1/2" to 3" in length.
This can be accomplished by pulling out the inner tube with a pair of needle nose pliers after you have gently rock the tube back and forth with your fingers. It should come loose without breaking. Take your time with this task because if you do break the inner tube you will have a very tough time clearing the base of broken acrylic. Unless you have very small hands that can fit in the skimmer.
3) Seal the base of the collection cup to the top of the intermediate tube. The simplest method I came up with is by cutting an O-ring out of a sheet of compressible non-porous foam. The best type of material is similar to the large foam O-rings you find from an old Magnum canister filter. This should give you an idea of what is needed. I trimmed the tip off a foam gasket that is normally used to seal a reservoir tank to a toilet.
The Purpose of Each Task
1) The air flow adjustment endcap that the Seaclone comes with is the item that frustrates many hobbyists. It is not meant to be used the way it needs to be and is obviously a cost saving measure by the manufacturer. Opened too wide the Maxi-Jet generates too much bubbles and inadequate flowrate. There is also a point where too much air will decrease the suction of the water pump hence reducing both the water flow rate and bubble generation to nearly zero. Don't open the cap enough and the water flow becomes too high and flushes the bubbles down to the outflow channel and into your display tank. Hence a good air adjustment valve is needed to control the bubble generation and water flow rate.
2) Reaction time is one of the main factors in protein skimming and the stock Seaclone has very little of this. The inner tube extends too high and is too narrow in diameter offering very little bubble and water mixing and contact time. Cutting this inner tube down in length effectively utililizes the volume of the intermediate tube as a reaction chamber. The intermediate tube has a much larger diameter hence cross sectional area and inversely the flow rate. The flow of water through the reaction chamber is greatly reduced, allowing for a greater contact time.

 

[zelfin]

Those are some basic mods.
I cannot post the web page but I found that on another site, it was typed up by this gentleman here;
SeaClone Modifications
by Clinton Yiu

 

[drummerbum]

Can you e-mail me that web page??

DrummerBum2005@hotmail.com
TIA:happy:

 

[zelfin]

Done Drummer.

 

[joker_ca]

i'll have to try those mods on my seaclone before i order a new skimmer

 

[drummerbum]

Originally posted by Zelfin
Done Drummer.
I didn't get it???:notsure:
did you put in the right address??

 

[zelfin]

I just clicked on the address you have here. It should get to you.

 

[zelfin]

SeaClone Troubleshooting Tips

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Problem: No foam production into the collection cup
Possible causes:
Skimmer is still in its break-in period(could last 3 days to 1 week)
Aquarium is not long established and does not have enough dissolved organic compounds in water. May take 1 to 3 months or more depending on bio-load, feeding/maintenance habits, other types of filtration used, etc.
Air intake is clogged with salt deposits- run hot water through air line and venturi intake to clean; air line may be changed periodically if desired
Pump and venturi intake may not be submerged to the proper level. The venturi intake should be submerged by 2 to 3 inches. Evaporation and fresh water top-off can alter the water level enough to affect skimmer production.
Problem: Sudden or gradual loss of air intake or water flow
Possible causes:
Clogged air intake- run hot water through air line and venturi intake to clean
Air adjustment bulb is closed too tightly- open bulb
Foam pre-filter is clogged or dirty- remove and clean under running water
Problem: Skimmer is spilling large amounts of fine air bubbles into tank and/or the collection cup is rapidly filling with water
Possible causes:
A "slime producing" additive has recently been added to the water. These additives, often used for their de-chlorinating or ammonia neutralizing capabilities, contain thick gel-like agents that are not compatible with the vigorous air/water mixing that occurs in a venturi style skimmer. The only recommended action is to unplug the skimmer or to close or remove the air intake system until it has been at least one week since the additive has been used. The slime-producing agent will eventually break down and skimming action will return to normal. Some brands will take as long as 3 weeks depending on the amount of additive used. Simple de-chlorinators and ammonia neutralizers should not cause a problem. Only the products that claim to thicken a fish’s slime coating will produce these effects. Remember that protein skimmers remove and react to organic compounds dissolved in the water. Any water additive that has an organic base may affect a skimmer’s production for a short time period.
The pump may be submerged too deeply in the water. The deeper the pump and venturi intake are submerged, the less air will be drawn into the skimmer. Less air will give higher water flow, which will carry bubbles out into the tank. Make sure the venturi intake is submerged by 2 to 3 inches. You may have to cut off a small length from the end of the J-skimmer tube to achieve this.

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