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SeaClone Modifications by Clinton Yiu |
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Introduction
The Seaclone
is not that bad of a skimmer. Considering its price and power
consumption it is one of the better low-end models. Many reefers
say it is useless and doesn't skim (if at all) as much as their
Turboflotor,etc but that's like comparing apples to oranges. This
is an unfair comparison since the Seaclone only uses a Maxi-Jet 1000 for
both water flow and bubble generation and is about 1/4 the cost.
If you are
reading this then you probably have a Seaclone already. So I won't
elaborate on its description or the nature of its design (counter
current). In an effort to avoid any confusion the terminology used
in this write-up is as follows. The inner tube is the 1"
diameter riser at the centre of the skimmer. The intermediate tube
is the 2-3/4" +/- diameter tube that separates the reaction chamber
from the outflow channel.
The Basic
Tasks of Modification
There are
three basic tasks that can individually enhance a Seaclone's
performance.
1)
Replace
the stock air flow adjustment end cap and replace with a air adjustment
valve.
2)
Reduce
the inner most riser tube's length to approximately 2-1/2" to
3" in length.
This
can be accomplished by pulling out the inner tube with a pair of needle
nose pliers after you have gently rock the tube back and forth with your
fingers. It should come loose without breaking. Take your
time with this task because if you do break the inner tube you will have
a very tough time clearing the base of broken acrylic. Unless you
have very small hands that can fit in the skimmer.
3)
Seal
the base of the collection cup to the top of the intermediate tube.
The simplest method I came up with is by cutting an O-ring out of a
sheet of compressible non-porous foam. The best type of material
is similar to the large foam O-rings you find from an old Magnum
canister filter. This should give you an idea of what is needed.
I trimmed the tip off a foam gasket that is normally used to seal a
reservoir tank to a toilet.
The Purpose
of Each Task
1)
The
air flow adjustment endcap that the Seaclone comes with is the item that
frustrates many hobbyists. It is not meant to be used the way it
needs to be and is obviously a cost saving measure by the manufacturer.
Opened too wide the Maxi-Jet generates too much bubbles and inadequate
flowrate. There is also a point where too much air will decrease
the suction of the water pump hence reducing both the water flow rate
and bubble generation to nearly zero. Don't open the cap enough
and the water flow becomes too high and flushes the bubbles down to the
outflow channel and into your display tank. Hence a good air
adjustment valve is needed to control the bubble generation and water
flow rate.
2)
Reaction
time is one of the main factors in protein skimming and the stock
Seaclone has very little of this. The inner tube extends too high
and is too narrow in diameter offering very little bubble and water
mixing and contact time. Cutting this inner tube down in length
effectively utililizes the volume of the intermediate tube as a reaction
chamber. The intermediate tube has a much larger diameter hence
cross sectional area and inversely the flow rate. The flow of
water through the reaction chamber is greatly reduced, allowing for a
greater contact time.
The Modified
SeaClone in action:
3)
A
portion of the air from the bubble generation does not exit the skimmer
via the foam collection cup. Sealing the base of the cup to the
top flange of the intermediate tube forces all the air to flow through
the cup. This increased air flow helps push the foam up to be
collected.
Another
Modification Worth Considering
4)
Reduce
the height of the riser tube in the collection cup. The skimmate
that the Seaclone generates is quite dark when compared to that produced
by high-end skimmers. The main reason for this is the difference
in height between the water column/foam interface and the top of the
skimmate overflow tube in the collection cup. This distance is far
too much for the foam to travel for this low power skimmer. The
Maxi-Jet simply doesn't generate enough foam and air to blow the
skimmate up such a tall dry column. I haven't figured out a way to
cut this inner tube with minimal effort. The only solution is with
the use of a hand held rotary tool (Dremel) but this may generate too
much heat and bind the blade as the acrylic melts. The quality of
the cut is also questionable since there is no guide available to make
such a cut.
The Results
I have claimed
this modification to be worthwhile based on a comparison of my current
observation of the modified Seaclone's performance and that of the stock
Seaclone from my recollection. I really don't have any prove that
the modifications work. Fortunately (and many thanks to) Larry has
acquired two Seaclone skimmers and is currently putting them to the
test. He is running a modified and a stock Seaclone simultaneously
on one of his reef tanks. His initial response has been good but
the final verdict has yet to be given.
Clint Y.
Larry's
notes: As you can see by the pictures, cutting off the inner tube
and replacing the air valve has turned the SeaClone into an acceptable
skimmer. IMO, it now works as well as my old BakPak. I have yet to
try sealing the collection cup against the intermediate tube, but I have
no doubt this will also increase it's performance.
My purpose in
putting up this page is not to encourage people to go out and buy a
SeaClone to use on a large tank. Rather, it is to help those of us who
already have one, make it work better. I still feel this is a skimmer
limited to usage on small tanks.
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