seaclone mods

[revenge53142]

i've seen a site suggesting seaclone mods like replaceing the air restricter valve, shortening the center cylinder, sealing the collection cup to unit, and adding an air stone

i have a seaclone 150 that i dont think is skimming as much as it should
we had a talk about this behavior but the skimmer has remained unreceptive to my request that he improve his performence

therefore i was considering mods
i already replaced the air restricter valve
this made adjustment easier but did not seem to improve actual skimming
i really dont want to have to replace an air stone constantly so i was thinking of trying one of the other mods
Looking for anyone who has FIRSTHAND experience improving thier seaclone
ima little apprehensive to start messing with it when i dont know what the heck im doing

Any seaclone wisdom out there? PLEASE SHARE
thanks -Revenge

 

[hansnfrans]

"i have a seaclone 150 that i dont think is skimming as much as it should" :lol:

wow, you mean your seaclone 150 can't skim a 150 gal aquarium :eek2: !?!?

Sorry, couldn't resist . Anyway, I've done some mod's to my 100 and 150. I've shortened the inner riser tube and did the needlewheel mod (using a bioball). I can tell ya first hand that these two mods (especially the latter) make a world of difference. I gotta go to sleep right now, but I can tell ya more about it tomorrow. They are both really easy to do.

BTW: Where did you get your new air valve from? Is it brass?

 

[revenge53142]

me sleepy too

 

[squibley2]

I used to have a seaclone and I cut the tube to about 3 inchs and that made a lot of difference. Then I changed the MJ 1200 for a Aquaclear 302 and put a needle wheel on it. I never added an airstone but the thing used to work really well untill I sold it. The MJ doesn't really have the power needed for skimming and the air adjustment suks and the tube is way to long. With several mods this can actually be a bad skimmer instead of a nonskimmer. I say bad not to upset anyone but just in comparison to other skimmers out there Aqua C, Euro Reef, ASMs ect. I hope this helps!

 

[revenge53142]

anyone tell me where to find instructions for "needlewheel" mod?

 

[hansnfrans]

Do you have any of those blue bio balls available? Just need one for this.

 

[revenge53142]

i have black bioballs
i think they might be a little smaller than the blue bioballs

 

[revenge53142]

i just said i have smaller balls
beavis & butthead might find that quite funny
i know i do

 

[hansnfrans]

I don't think that you can do the mod with the black ones. If you could find a pic of them on the net and send me the link to it, then I could tell ya for sure. Also do you have a dremel tool or know someone who does? The dremel helps greatly, but isn't necessary.

 

[paininthewrasse]

I bought a modded seaclone 100 and it skims well.. it just has the tube shortened, and the collection cup sealed w a putty type ring

What is the thing you do w/ the bioball? or is what I've got done enough?

 

[revenge53142]

wrasse,
please describe "putty type ring" should i do this to mine? i haven't done any mods yet b/c A:im busy & B:i dont want to mess up my skimmer with no backup
apparently you do the mod to the maxijet impeller by adding a chunck of bioball to the impeller

hey hans,
im not too techno savvy so im not yet able to post pics YET
i will learn soon enough

 

[revenge53142]

if the bio ball chunk has the same diameter as the impeller "wings"
i should be cool right?

does the bioball chunk need to be like glued in place or anything?
or does it just sit with the impellar "wings"???

 

[paininthewrasse]

Its just some sort of black putty.. I dont know how else to describe it.. It just seals the collection cup on to the skimmer alot better.. not quite sure what it is though... Like I said, I bought it used and modded

 

[hansnfrans]

PITW: I'd definately do the bioball mod if I were you, or atleast try it. It only costs you the price of a bio ball.

Both of you guys: I will work on posting some pics of the mod shortly here.

 

[paininthewrasse]

If you could post pics that would be great.. I have no clue what to do at this point

 

[revenge53142]

Thank YOU!!!!!!!

 

[hansnfrans]

Here's one that I had in my gallery. I'll try to post another one that shows just the bioball piece.

 

[hansnfrans]

Here's two closeups:

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

I forgot to tell you.....The bioball can also be cut very easily by using a razor blade instead of the dremel tool.

 

[revenge53142]

thanks again, im going to have to go and find ONE blue
bio-ball now
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........................

 

[paininthewrasse]

revenge I've got some.. if you pay shipping I can ship you a few