Seaclone and bubbles

mbuckley

mbuckley

Member
About 6 months ago I purcahsed a Seaclone 100 protein skimmer for my setup so I could free up some space inside my tank. I initially placed it in my refugium but I found that it would cut out way too early if the water levels dropped even a inch.
So, a week ago I moved it up into the display tank (with the overflow the water level is always the same). However, I've discovered that if I run the skimmer with the valve wide open-producing the most bubles-the bubbles all end up in my tank and make the water appear cloudy. Any suggestions? Do I need ALL those bubles too skim properly?
Thanks for any input... Mike
 
jhead

jhead

Member
It takes a few days to get adjusted. I run mine about 1 1/2 to 2 notches from wide open for about a week, then open it up. The bubbles stopped after 2-3 days. I actually just took the little adjuster off completely.
Also, I have found that when I feed with garlic oil it causes it to dump bubbles into the tank. I have to turn it off for a few hours during feeding. And any time I to had more than a gallon or so of fresh water it cause bubbles.
I wish i had sump to put my in. They are a pain in the rear on a display tank.
 
entice59

entice59

Active Member
i tried to open it up all the way but it would just fill up with water in 30 minutes.... is there something im doing wrong?
 
dreeves

dreeves

Active Member
Opened up all the way Entice would slow the water volume down due to the pump having to suck air as well as pump water. By no means should it fill up with water and no air.
I do not know if it is unique to the Seaclone's (don't believe so), but they do take a few days to set in (cycle). I have had mine for a year now. Anytime I break it all the way down for a thorough cleaning it will bubble for awhile then stop. Also, if you are using any additives like an amonia detox with any kind of slime encouraging additives it will overflow your waste cup.
 
entice59

entice59

Active Member
sorry i had a hard time understanding what to do....
i should open it up all the way? but the collection cup just over flows
 
lonestar

lonestar

Member
I had a seaclone on my tank for a while. What i did was adjust the air valve slowely looking at the water in the tank. I would see alot of bubbles, then it would fade to almost no bubbles (as I adjusted it). If I adjusted too far, Id see bubbles again. I left it to where I would see no bubbles, and it seemed to skim nicely. I would have to empty the cup every 2-3 days.
Jeremy
 
dreeves

dreeves

Active Member
Your overflow shouldn't be getting any direct water. It should only be getting water from the bubbles. If it gets water directly from the pump, then you have something wrong.
What I meant was...if you open the air valve all the way open...then the pump will be sucking too much air. The pump will then be putting its effort into sucking the air along with pumping the water. The primary purpose of the pump is to circulate the water through the skimmer. With the venturi valve, it sucks air in order to create the bubbles for the skimmer to perform its intended function. Close the air supply all the way. The open it about 1 to 1 1/4 turns.
 
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