I've read that the Seaclones in general are poor choices as protein skimmers. There are modifications you can make to make them work better. I am in fact just starting to read these forums to try to find additional mods to try.
However, I've read that adding a stronger pump does not, in fact increase foam production. I'll post the link here to the site with the mods, but basically i hear that you need to cut down the center tube by a few inches (that the tube that starts the cyclone), and drill out the little hole that the air valve covers. I'm trying to find pictures of the mod, so I'm knowing what I doing before I do it!
Here's the website I found this info at:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seacloneskimfaqs.htm
Here's the part of the info that pertinent...
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Re: Sea Clone 100 Making one work
(Not sure I sent the email as it shows it was still in email outbox if I did I am sorry to resend it.)
Hello again WWM crew.
Mr. Fenner I will take your suggestion and email Marineland, hopefully they will correct the issues with the Sea Clone. As in general I have been happy with their products.
<Me too... with the exception of this/these rinky dink skimmers>
I know that you are friends with the former owners of the company and you can check with them to verify that I did email them with my suggestions if you would like. I do have some more suggestion for the modification of the Sea Clone. I have not tried either of these. These are just modifications I am pondering and I will try in the near future. Man I need to get a life.
Ok here goes if you think I am off base let me know please.
I am thinking that the tube that extends up into the collection cup might be a little too tall and if I cut the tube down 3/4 of an inch it would work better, due to the limitations of the power head that comes supplied with the unit
(word of caution to those who say get a bigger power head, it will not work. It will push more water but you will still have to adjust the air
to get bubbles to collect enough to rise up the collection tube into the cup and this will be the same amount of water and bubbles as the smaller power head. The more water you push the more it will force the bubbles out the bottom of the reaction tube into the return water. I know from trying this). I think the tube might be slightly too tall to allow the power head to force the bubbles up efficiently. I have not made this modification because if I cut the tube to short, I believe the cup would fill with water easier, not skim mate. (Fluid dynamics for a fish tank, who would of thought we needed to go to college to take advanced math to get a skimmer to work ;-)
<Heee!>
The other modification is the air inlet valve. I think if I got a stainless steel air valve from a surgical supply store, one that is used to monitor oxygen from a tank I could achieve much better air control into the skimmer. The valve that is supplied is very hard to adjust in minute quantities, that is why making the hole bigger worked well. Anyway these are just my thoughts on how to make my Sea Clones even more efficient.
With the other modifications I submitted this skimmer could be the best skimmer on the market for low priced skimmers if Marineland would apply the fixes to their product.
Have good day, and again thank you for being here for all of us who want to be marine biologists, or at least for those of us who just enjoy the serenity of our fish tanks vs. the craziness of our busy lives.
Craig
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Hope this helps,
Brian
