SeaClone question

I have a Seaclone 100 that has been running for about 2 1/2 months now and I am not sure that it is running right. I get some production out of it, but only about 1/4" every 2 weeks or so. The center riser tube in the collection cup gets nice and slimy brown, but I thought I should be seeing more in the cup. The air regulator is almost wide open and I see plenty of bubbles, but they never seem to go much above the bottom of the collection cup. (although I cannot see in the riser tube for the silme) The water in the tank is almost crystal with just a slight tinge of yellow if I look longways through all 48" of the tank. My ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, nitrate just above 0. I did see a cycle where trite went up and down and nitrate the same. I have 10 fish totaling about 20" and they seem to be very happy. Should I be happy to and not worry, or are there things I should look at? I have seen references to Aquatraders BackPack clone. Is it worth the change, or is a newbie just being paranoid?

Mike

 

ive noticed the pumps that come with the seaclones are not that strong. they have a hard time pushing the skimmate all the way to the top. and the cup lid sort of acts like its pushing to far down giving it a hard time to overflow. i actually used my dremel to cut 1 inch of the riser tube in the collection cup. it helps alot but you still wont get that much foam as often as other high end skimmers.

 

Thanks, I may try that. I did notice that after I cleaned the cup the other day, there is foam in the tube almost all the way to the top.

Mike

 

if u want more of the brown juice just lower the cup if u can...for my bakpak u can lower it so u get more of the icky stuff

 

I removed the sponge filter with great results on both my Seaclone 100 & 150. I clean the cup weekly and the air tube/venturi basket every two weeks. I make sure the bubbles are "wet". Both work like a charm!;D

 

Yeah make sure that the "venturi basket" looking thing, the part that the air intake hose attaches to is not clogged. My seaclone was not producting that much foam and I took that part off and it had a bunch of tiny shells jammed up in it! I worked fine after I cleaned it. The BakPak would just be a side step it isn't any better than the Seaclone.

 

i just put a seaclone 100 on my 30 gallon, and i have the same problem as Mike. I had a prizm before, but it was so loud i had to get rid of it, but that seemed to put out alot more foam then the seaclone. You can't really adjust the level of the collection cup, and my foam doesn't even seem to make it high enough that even if i cut the riser tube a bit it would make a differnce. It can't be a clogged sponge or pump cause its brand new. Any one have any other ideas? its kinda frustrating buying it brand new and it not doing the job you want it, and i can't go back to the loud prizm.

vinnie

 

Try upgrading to a larger pump. Also you must keep the riser tube clean and make sure you dont get salt creep in the air line. I had a Sea Clone years ago and would let 1/2 cup of warm water get sucked through the air line to clean it out every week. If you upgrade to a larger pump and the flow is too great you can always add a ball valve inline.

 

It may take some time to break in as with most skimmers. How long have you had it vdhillon?

 

The skimmer is brand new, i bought it two days ago. The tank has been set up for close to 3 years now. The Prizm was working great, but it was way too loud...i'm having second thoughts on this seaclone. The pump on the seaclone is the Maxi jet 1200. That puts out some where around 200 gph i think, do i really need a bigger pump. I mean they made it for it, why isn't it doing the job? whats on the seaclone 150? cause if thats got a 1200, i don't see how that would work at all.