Seaclone Protien Skimmer

[angelap]

I bought my tank used and it came with about a seaclone protien skimmer that is about a year old. Since this is my first experience with skimmers, I am having a little trouble trying to figure out how this thing works. I took one of the powerheads and attached it to the pipe coming from the bottom of the skimmer and submersed it in my wet/dry sump. It is pushing water through the skimmer, but there is very little "vortex" action in the skimmer that I can see. The only one I have seen working at the LFG seems to have a pretty good vortex going. I thought that maybe since I didn't have the air valve on the powerhead that the skimmer may not be working properly. I tried attaching the air valve last night, but when I turned the powerhead back on, water came out of the air hose instead of air going into it. I'm not even really sure if I even have all the parts for the skimmer. I have the main unit, the collection cup, the "u" shaped pipe coming from the bottom of the skimmer, a "homemade" extention hose leading to the powerhead in the sump. Does this sound like everything I need? Is it ok if there is just a little vortex action going on? Do I have to have air mixing with the water? If so, how do I get the air in there? Do I need an airpump? I thought the powerhead was supposed to draw the air in on it's own.
Thanks a lot guys, I'm sure you will be hearing from me a lot more down the road! Don't you just love this hobby!!!

 

[wingnut]

the skimmer you have is a decent one but can be a pain in the but i have one 2 (bin there) you need the right pump for it and a addaptor for a air line the adaptor fits where the water is pulled in to the pump so it pulls air im not sure what size pump is on mine but its the one that came with it and its in the sump dont whant to pull it out cuzz its takes time to reset it to work as good as mine is right now after you get the air added to it proberly you will need to close the air line with the valve and slowy open it till you get the propre mixer of air and water id start at half a turn then slowly open it waiting 2 hours between movement of the air valve open just a bit like i said its a pain in the butt to get right but works well after you get to that point.

 

[wingnut]

the skimmer you have is a decent one but can be a pain in the but i have one 2 (bin there) you need the right pump for it and a addaptor for a air line the adaptor fits where the water is pulled in to the pump so it pulls air im not sure what size pump is on mine but its the one that came with it and its in the sump dont whant to pull it out cuzz its takes time to reset it to work as good as mine is right now after you get the air added to it proberly you will need to close the air line with the valve and slowy open it till you get the propre mixer of air and water id start at half a turn then slowly open it waiting 2 hours between movement of the air valve open just a bit like i said its a pain in the butt your looking for a foam to come in the cup once you notice the foam your all done

 

[wingnut]

opps
dubled it up LOL
anyhow you whant to do a serch on the web to find out how many GPH you need and what pump would be best
good luck to you

 

[angelap]

Well, I think I have come to the conclusion that I should just ditch the seaclone skimmer and buy a new skimmer in a few months. Since my system is only about a month old, a skimmer isn't going to be that effective right now anyway, right? I think I'm going to wait about 5 months and purchase a really good skimmer. What is the best skimmer I can get for under $200 that will work in my sump?
Thanks guys!
Angela

 

[wingnut]

im not sure i would say the berlin turbo its comes with a pump and is a awsome skimmer very ez to use mines on its way damn ups lol

 

[angelofish]

A.P How do you have it set up? What kind of powerhead are you using? The SC can be set up differently for sump use. You dont need the J tube. The PH connects to the main unit and the whole thing sits in the sump if you have room.Try this way if you havent already.

 

[angelap]

Angelofish, If I set the whole skimmer down in the sump, do I still need to try to get the air into it? I haven't tried it that way but I will today. I can't remember right off the top of my head what kind of powerhead I'm using, but I will check tonight and let you know tomorrow. I actually have a couple of different type of powerheads I can try. One has an adjustable flow and the other does not. What is better, higher or lower water output?
Thanks,
Angela

 

[slothy]

i have my seaclone 100 with maxijet 1200 in my sump after one day im gettting some foam.. ya u still need air (use the hose/needle they gave ya).. i have the so called "new and improved" model... so i dont know if its different than yours

 

[angelofish]

You definately need the air. You also need some kind of air valve at the end of the air hose. The powerhead that came with mine is rated for 295gph. This may sound dumb but make sure the sump isnt too deep for the SC. Youll know when its set up right when you see a tornado of bubbles in the SC. Hope this helps

 

[smalltimer]

The BEST skimmer for 200 has to be the Turboflator with the new wheel. It is pulling the darkest nastiest junk from my 50 gallon reef that I have ever seen or SMELLED...I had to put a nylon stocking with carbon in it over the top of the catch cup to absorb the odor... The only skimmer I have ever seen pull stuff like that is a downdraft..$$$$$$$ or a Reef Concepts.$$$$...It's wins hands down, my lfs has both Red Sea and Turbofloator on tanks, the Berlin pulls light brown slightly wet froth, the Turboflator, green nasty you know what as far as a Seaclone, I had one, it did the light brown thing but try this site, it might help.......
http://www.reefcentral.com/diy/seacl...ifications.htm