help for seaclone users...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13304089#post13304089 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DustinLH00
Lol, great! I thought I would take a sec and post all of the mods I found when I went searching a while back, in case anyone is following this thread that isn't aware:

1) Decrease height of riser tube inside the skimmer body. This is the tube that creates the "tornado". Newer Seaclones are supposed to already have a shorter one than the older models. This is supposed to allow for longer contact time with the bubbles.

2) Decrease height of riser tube inside collection cup. It has been said that this is a little high for the lower power of the Seaclone and the foam has a hard time getting up and over.

3) Sealing the collection cup to the skimmer with a mod o-ring. I believe I have read that a toilet gasket was used and cut some to fit. I have also heard of people using plumbers tape, rubber gloves, etc... It has been said that the seal is not good enough here.

4) Replacing the venturi air valve with a more precise valve from HD or Lowes. Apparently this helps tune the skimmer more precisely.

5) Drilling a hole in the lid of the collection cup and running a solid airline tube down into the skimmer body with a wood or limestone airstone attached to an air pump. This creates more bubbles in the skimmer chamber.

6) The infamous BioBall Mod! Cutting and mod-ing a bioball and attaching to the impeller. This basically creates a needle wheel impeller and helps chop up the bubbles.

7) As mentioned above...Removing the black plastic venturi attachment from the skimmer, drilling a small hole into the intake nozzle and inserting the airline tubing into that hole. This allows for more water intake and more air.

8) Also as mentioned above...Lawnmower's mod of drilling the 4 holes in the impeller side of the impeller cover to allow more water in.

9) Earlier it was mentioned by jojoyojimbi that by moving the pump to the "in sump" setup and having it pull water rather than push it, you can gain better production.

10) I have also hear of people dremelling the impeller to make needle-like cuts. (Tried this, didn't do anything). And also mod-ing the impellar with fishing line to make more of a mesh mod.

11) Taking the foam sponge off of the intake, cutting it in 1/4s and inserting 1 or 2 quarters into the base of the skimmer body (where the water first enters). This is supposed to slow the flow and help chop up the bubbles.

I think that covers all of the mods I found. Personally, I have tried only #10 by dremeling the notches in the impellar. This did not improve anything, in fact I think it hurt it more. I am waiting for my bio ball to try #6, which I have heard good things about.

If anyone has any more ideas to share, please feel free. I am not recommending that anyone run out and buy one of these skimmers, but if you have one you may be able to make it at least produce skimmate...
Click to expand...
I was wondering if any one who has tried any of these mods
would mind posting some pictures of them thnaks a lot
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13311131#post13311131 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DustinLH00
Another question...

Does anyone else get calcium buildup in the airline? I have to unhook mine and clean it out every week or two because it gets clogged with what I believe to be calcium deposits. I was wondering if this happens to others and if there is any fix that anyone has found.
Click to expand...

I have never had to clean my airline because of calcium build up, what is your salinity?

My skimmer has a nice stream of foam in the collection cup after about 24hrs.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13315241#post13315241 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cabrego
I have never had to clean my airline because of calcium build up, what is your salinity?

My skimmer has a nice stream of foam in the collection cup after about 24hrs.
Click to expand...

My salinity is at 31 PPT and my SG is at 1.023.

Also, just got home from work and still 0 foam and bubbles popping at output. Again, only have added the o-ring. Still waiting for bioball.
 
Hello guys.

Another SeaClone owner here.

I just wanted to tell you guys that is really hard to follow your ideas without pictures and with bad writting skills. I am completely lost. I will try to decode your instructions later. If I go ahead with the mods I will post pictures to help all other guys.

One question: what is the spec/name/part number of the air valve that you guys bought at Home Depot?

Thanks,
Gabriel
 
honestly, i have no idea...i simply went there with a small piece of airline tubing and looked for something that would work...mine is brass colored and has 2 of the same ends with a valve that can be opened or closed
 
Hi buddy381,

Does it have the same width as the airline tubing that comes with SeaClone or you replaced the airline tubing as well?

If it is just a drop and place replacement for the original valve it should be easy to find. Just advice on which section of Home Depot I should look for it... ;-)

Cheers,
Gabriel.
 
it is just standard airline tubing......i would look in the plumbing section.....there are all sorts of brass type connections that are small...find one that seems to work.... the main idea is to be able to keep the air to water mixture from having to be adjusted 24 7
 
Hi there everyone, I'm new to this website and actually I've been running my reef setup for only 10 months, so I'm still a newbie when it comes to giving advice but I felt like i should share my experience with the seaclone.

I have read as much as possible during the first 3 months of owning a seaclone 150 to see if anyone has done anything different then the list created by DustinHL00. My main concern was if i make a mistake, i can potenationally damage the seaclone for good. Also, I really feel its not worth the time and effort to modify the seaclone by drilling holes or investing more money on it etc.... It would be best to invest on a quality skimmer.

Long story short, I realize that the main reason behind the seaclone flaw is because there is not enough time. Meaning, the air bubbles don't spend enough time in the water. Its either too much water and not enough air or to much air but not enough water movement. If Im not making any sense I'm truly sorry. I'm just trying to help out.

This is what i did.

I did think it was ideal to cut the riser of the collection cup. So, i did cut it down half an inch. I did try the air stone idea but i thought it interrupted the main design of the Seaclone which was the vortex in the center of the skimmer. Also, i didn't find much of a result with the airstone idea, mind you it did work somewhat.I also sealed the collection cup where the oil ring is by using a rubber glove, works good.

I thought I try out something that didn't cost me anything and seems to work pretty good some far. I figured it would be best for me to try it out for awhile before posting anything on the web, just to make sure it works.

I simply increased the distance between the entrance to the impeller and the turbo ventri. Sounds messed up right?? well its working and good too!! Actually i overskimmed my tank and lost a few corals when i was out of town for two weeks.

My tank is a 25gal tall. Not big but the Seaclone didn't foam at all for the first 3 months until I did this mod.

I will definately show pics:)
 
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Hi Delorean,

Welcome to Reef Central! I am curious about this mod and am anxiously awaiting pics, but in the mean time can you describe what you did to increase that distance?
 
Thanks:)

yah for sure, well I simply added a rubber tube between the impeller and the ventri. I'm not sure of the diameter I was just lucky to have a tube that fit just perfect:). The rubber tube is 3" in length. I didn't try making it longer. Maybe someone should try and see if it works even better. I'm working on the pictures. I'm just cleaning off the algae so you can see it better.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13652495#post13652495 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by delorean
Thanks:)

yah for sure, well I simply added a rubber tube between the impeller and the ventri. I'm not sure of the diameter I was just lucky to have a tube that fit just perfect:). The rubber tube is 3" in length. I didn't try making it longer. Maybe someone should try and see if it works even better. I'm working on the pictures. I'm just cleaning off the algae so you can see it better.
Click to expand...



Sorry its 2" in length, Just measured it.

Here is a picture of the tube

PA300917.jpg


here is the collection cup. I turned it off for the night to show you in 4 mins what happens when its turned on.

PA290943.jpg
 
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yep, that is the valve i got at home depot...here are my suggestions...if you are using it HOB, simply open it up all the way and then slowly close it until the big bubble at the top of the J-tube goes away....it should help a bit....

i also recommend the bioball mod....i would post pics except i can't do it without much of a problem....so maybe someone else could post pics.....i get so much nasty foam that sometimes there is dried up gunk through the top air hole.....in the skimmer cup lid...i get pretty good skim....
 
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