SeaClone HOB Skimmer

First, I know it's a seaclone and that's probably my problem, LOL. This skimmer did great with clearing my tank water but I'm really not getting any foam from it. I have (after running for about 1 1/2- 2 weeks) about 1/2 inch of light brown water to show for all that skimming. What the heck am I doing wrong? The instructions are not very clear about tuning the system. I tightened the air inlet screw so that the bubble came out of the j bend but other than the vortex of bubbles in the middle there's really not much going on. I have noticed that on the inner wall of the inner tubing there is thick, more dry brown skimmate (sp?) so maybe it's just doing a better job than I think?

 

Hi Whippy - you need to clean that brown scum from inside your skimmer as it is preventing the foam from climbing ( its slippery and the foam collapses)

 

Thank you!! Now I have one question for that. I cleaned it the first time it built up but still saw nothing. I'll clean it again but do you know of any reason why the skimmate is not making it all the way up in the first place?

 

Hi Whippy - it could be your air/water mix - maybe the bubbles keep collapsing before they climb fully up the chamber try adjusting the venturi to allow a little more air and thus create a drier foam - this should result in some foam staying in the tube when the stuff below collapses , but when the foam forms again and froths, the resulting air will then push this foam up and over into the cup

 

Awesome, thank you! Last night when I got home I adjusted the flow a bit. I opened it all the way back up and retightened the screw until the bubble came out of the tube and it sounded like a drain clearing a clog. I'll let it sit like that for a while and see how it goes.

 

welcome- Sea clones as you inferred in your original post do have a bad rep, but I upgraded to a Sea clone from an air driven Sander Piccalo many years ago
and I wish I could recall who it is on this site that also runs one and is happy with its performance

also check out the stickys - there is one related to modifications to a Sea clone that improves performance - by R Horton

 

Very cool!! Appreciate the assistance very much!