Seaclone 100

I know you guys have probably read about these skimmers from many people already, I'm new here, so I apologize in advance for the ignorance I'm about to display :-/ .

Before I start, I should mention that I just set my aquarium up last Sunday, tomorrow'll be a week, I have no fish in it. I only have one piece of live rock, and the live sand, I have a Penguin bio wheel filter, heater and that's it. I have experience with fresh water tanks and a little with salty tanks

Well, I just got the Seaclone 100, I've been fighting with it for over 9 hrs now and I just can't get it to work properly, it's either no foam or the foam rises up too fast converting into water and I have to empty the clear water from the cup every 5 minutes. Also, the amount of micro bubbles going back into the tank is just overwhelming.

I have noticed that if I open the air valve all the way (take the cap off), an air pocket forms in the top part of teh J tube, so I close the air valve all the way to get rid of it, but the air pocket moves down to the lower part of the J tube, once this happens, I unplug the skimmer with the valve closed and plug it back a couple of times, this seems to get rid of the air pocket from the lower part.

I know I'm not suppossed to see/notice any waste in the collection cup 'cause I have no livestock in the tank yet.

I can't get the Seaclone to work. Also, I know this will sound EXTREMELY dumb, but am I supposed to see the cyclone? 'cause I dont see it in the main tube/chaimber, it's all full of micro bubbles. Dumb, I know lol

All in all, I have turned it off for now, 'cause I ran out of ideas on what to do. I'll wait for your response(s) before I turn it back on.

Any help will be truly appreciated. Thanks guys. Laters.

 

I have a Seaclone as well, and the way they recommend adjusting it is to close it just enough that the air "pockets" that form in the J-Tube are pushed out by the force of the moving water.

Honestly, it's not the best investment I've ever made, but I've never had it give me clear water in the collection cup, so you're in new territory compared to my experience.

The micro-bubble problem goes way down after a day or so of continuous running, but it also shows that it's mal-adjusted, recently cleaned, or hasn't broken in yet.

As for being able to see the cyclone. With mine, it's easiest to see in the bottom chaimber, because the main chaimber is a milky white color when the skimmer is running properly, but if you turn the air down a bit, you should be able to see it.

Don't give up hope. At the worst, turn the air amount down so it doesn't give you so much skimmate, and keep it running for a couple of days continuously. All skimmers need a break in period. Oh, and don't forget to clean it weekly! A pipe cleaner brush is a good investment, and be careful of the top o-ring. You do need to remove it to take out the main chaimber sleeve.

 

Hi there mr clownfish, I have never had a Seaclone but I can tell you that all skimmers work differently. The skimmer that I have now started to make skim- mate after 12 hrs and some take 2-3 days or more. Try to set the air valve just barely opened and let it run for a while. I've heard that Seaclone isn't one of the best skimmers out there(sorry). If you still have the problem of too much micro bubbles, try putting/installing a sponge(bubble difuser) right where the water exits the skimmer back into the sump, that should solve that problem.

 

I'm not sure if this will help since I used my Seaclone 100 in sump without the J tube. For the break in period, tighten the air valve all the way, then loosen it about 1 1/4 turns out. You should see a consistant tornado like effect in the middle of the vortex tube that leads to the top. Slowly, foam will approach the top of the collection cup. It took about 5 days to be consistant. I always had the air valve adjusted to about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 turns out. A couple bad notes on this skimmer are that if your water level isn't 100% consistant, the skimmer will go for long periods without skimming. Plus you will have to adjust the air valve again. It needs constant attention. Even when it was skimming good, I could never get bubbles to stop pouring out of it. Try placing foam where the water exits like lunatik suggested. Good note, it was dirt cheap.

 

You are correct, you will not see anything in the cup until you have a load. Unplug it and IMO bring it back to where you got it then buy a Remora C, not too pricey and works GREAT! I've had SeaClone100, Jebo, and another I can't think of the name... and they were all junk! You don't even need to play with it until you have a load. IMO for about a month after you put fish in your tank.
Are you not wanting a lot of live rock or is one piece all you can afford right now?

 

+1 on upgrading. I got rid of my Seaclone after 1 month and picked up a AquaC Urchin. The Seaclone's troubles weren't worth my time.. If you don't have a sump, get the AquaC Remora. It's the same design as the Urchin, but the Remora is a hang on skimmer. The AquaC skimmers don't need to be adjusted. They are plug and play and worth every dollar (about $160)..

 

Thank You all for your help!! I truly appreciate it.
Cuttingrass: I only got one one piece of live rock 'cause I though that's all i needed. How many more pieces should I get?

I think I will get a better model. I'll check out the Remora C. Thanks again.

 

I think there are two different opinions on Live Rock. Either you do want to have it or you don't. Other than a fresh water tank, I've never seen a saltwater tank without it.
1. It's helps with filtration, gives your fish somewhere to hide(cause they like to), gives a place for stuff to live and makes the tank more attractive.
2. The other opinion I've read is you don't need it and the amount is based on personal preference. (no good reasons but why you wouldn't want it is beyond me)

I disagree with the second. I think saltwater tanks need it, a lot of it. I am going to try to make my own. It'll take 6weeks or more to cure but I think it'll be worth it since I can make the shapes I want!

I was skeptical on the Remora when I asked people on here about which they recommended. I'm really glad I listened to them. It's a great skimmer! Totally Plug & Play!

 

I remembered the name..ViaAqua

 

Would you guys chose the Remora over the Prizm? 'cause I found a prizm at a great price and I've read some good reviews on it. Anybody here used it? I will go ahead and return the seaclone to the website where I found it, they do not carry the Remora, but they do carry others like : prizm, Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel, and others. If I'm able to get a full refund, can you guys direct me to a good website where I can find the Remora, if the prizm is not a choice of course. Thanks again.