Next subject: Skimmer.....

[wagnutz69]

I figure I'll drain as much info out of everybody here, getting as many unbiased opinions as possible. I have 2 Sea Clone Skimmers in my closet. Why are they in my closet you ask....I WONDER. Large plastic pile of junk when it comes to most aquariums. My question is...does anybody here believe that this will work on my 20 Long. It will be reef tank, has a 2-3 inch sand bed...will be maxed out with LR from my 125.... Only thing in there will be 2 seahorses, maybe only one. Or instead of seahorse, maybe a small Jawfish or Firefish. Will the seaclone work for something that small??? There will only be around 10 to 15 gallons of water I'm guessing after the LR and corals.....If not, what should I use that I could fit into my budget. I can't imagine I'd need anything huge on this small a tank. Thanks again everybody for all of your help!!!


Tim

[Rick O]

I'd prolly pass on a skimmer all together. Afterall, a 10% water change will only take about 30 seconds or so.

JMO,
Rick

[wagnutz69]

So...with NO filtration at all, how often would I have to do water changes... I know corals do not put off that much waste, and can't imagine sea horses/a single fish would either.....Thanks...


Tim

[wagnutz69]

Forgot to add, probably important....there WILL be some shrimp/crabs in this tank as well......and the usual snails, sandsifter..?? ,other inverts...will this increase bioload much....???


WAGZ

[JennM]

Putting on my fireproof suit here...

IMO the SeaClone is better than no skimmer. I wouldn't send you out to buy one, but since you've got them, and it's only for a small tank, I'd recommend using it.

I've got one on a 25 Eclipse that I did keep seahorses in before I got my 37 RR Oceanic. With some tweaking, they do fractionate, contrary to popular belief, and while I've seen elaborate modifications, I've got mine to work with just some fine tuning.

Seahorses: You'd be amazed how much waste they can put out. I've cut back to feeding mine once per day...popular liturature would have you feeding them 2-3 times, but I've found that a variety of foods, both live and prepared, and once daily feeding is sufficient. Plus, a decent amount of LR makes sure that there are amphipods and such that they can hunt in the meantime.

I feed mine a variety: FW Ghost shrimp, SW grass shrimp (went to FL to collect some!), frozen PE Mysis, live enriched brine (they don't really go for this much), occasionally a guppy or two, and Hawaiian red shrimps. I've got Mollies acclimated to saltwater, but they have yet to produce fry for me to feed to the horses too.

Jenn

[Rick O]

Originally posted by wagnutz69:
So...with NO filtration at all, how often would I have to do water changes... I know corals do not put off that much waste, and can't imagine sea horses/a single fish would either.....Thanks...


Tim

Somewhere between every week and never. It really depends on who you ask. I'd prolly do it about once a month, but that's just me. Let's see what everyone else has to say.

Rick

[Rick O]

Jenn was posting as I was writing. The only Seaclone I've ever seen in operation was in Jenn's store and it was working pretty well. The only objection I have is the asthetics of having a hang-on in the tank. I wouldn't go out and buy a new skimmer just for your 20 gal but if you don't mind the clutter of the equipment in the tank then go ahead and use it.

FWIW, My prop tank has two fish and no skimmer. I just did a 10% water change today after going about two months without. Everything was going well but I figured it was about time.

Rick

[fredly]

On the subject of Seaclones - I have one on my 110. I know - not enough skimmer for this tank. The bioload is light and I have modified it - added a seal to the bottom of the cup and shortened the inner tube to 3". It definitely works mucho better than it used to. It's also in the sump so I don't have to look at it. Added some silicone air tubing to the base for noise abatement so I don't have to listen to it. Bottom line is that my tank is healthy. If I were to add significantly to the bio load, I'd consider upgrading based on all the bad reviews the Seaclones seem to get. I'd rather spend that extra $$ on that electronic ballast I want though!

[hamburglar]

Ok ok,

Enough bad mouthing the sorry SeaClone. It is true that the SeaClone isn't the best skimmer in the world, but it will skim the pants off of a 20 gallon tank.

If you are worried about the performance, you can put both of those SeaClones on your 20 Long and solve your water circulation problems at the same time After all, a free skimmer that you already own is the cheapest skimmer you can buy.

The Seaclone is just a smiggin taller than a 20 long tank but I did it a while back and it will work.