skimmer question
 

Hi,
I am running a Seaclone 100 skimmer (i know not the best skimmer) could someone explain (simply) what the 'bubbles' should look like in skimmer (or post picture) I adjust and adjust and adjust. On the adjustment I get bubbles going into my chamber, after a day they stop, then I get brown water in the chamber, adjust again and nothing.
Jim

I am pretty new to this as well Daddy but I have found that the skimmer doesn't work as well for the first few monthes. Mine has only recently started to produce nice bubbles and the collection cup fills with a brown tea coloured water. My skimmer doesn't constantly produce bubbles but when it does the fluid they leave behind is pretty gross looking. I have the same skimmer as you and it took me a while to figure it out. Basically tighten it all the way then loosen it till air starts to flow throught and the water level has dropped out of the center tube. then turn ever so slightly every couple minutes or so. Dont do it to fast as you might miss your sweet spot because of lack of patience.(happened here)
I found that if I turned it till the bubbles were coming out in full force the collection cup would fill up on me in a couple hours, now it takes a few days.
They can be a PITA but if your are patient it will work out fine

GL

reply
 

In my experience with skimmers they don't always skim consistantly. At various times of the day mine will not skim much at all, while at other it skims a ton. Maybe my skimmer is messed up.

Get yours running wet (lighter colored skimmate) consistantly first, then adjust to a dryer skimmate if you want. When I used to run a seaclone I would try to get the chamber as "white" with bubbles as I could. But remember that if you put your hands in the water the oils from your hands will inhibit the skimmer from producing foam.

Thanks for all replies, I thought that 'brown water' in the cup was if your skimmer isn't working properly? That is what I am trying to find the happy medium. My wife won't let me run skimmer constantly (i have hearing loss) she can hear pin drop at 50Meters, and she can't stand sound it makes.
Thank for input.
Jim

Bubbles in mine at the bottom of the chamber more just white, (can't really made out bubble size because so small and moving around). Midway up the collector cup ~millimeter to a couple at the top of the cup.

Found my current skimmer is quiet but on my first one there was quite the sucking noise. Found one of those little mufflers off a Maxijet quieted it a lot. Eventually added a piece of either 1/4" or 3/8" vinyl tubing X 4 feet to the venturi tube which made it near silent.

Noise
 

I dont have a seaclone, but do have some noise problems with my tank. I use an aquaclear to provide surface agitation and carbon (as I am running a HOB Remora Pro without the surface skimmer attachment, and my water surface gets pretty bad after a few days). As my tank is between two couches near the TV, and the water falling from the aquaclear is loud when combined with light fans, skimmer and powerhead, I have put the aquaclear on a timer to run from 2 am to 8 am. Might be a nice solution to put your skimmer on a timer, then you don't have to worry about turning it on/off. You could program it to turn on when you (or more important to future purchases, your wife) know you wont be near the tank.