Skimmer Modification

[My94TA]

Does anyone know how to modify my Instant Ocean SeaClone 150 skimmer. I know that it is not pulling enought waste out of my water. I reduced the amount and quantity of feedings. But it just doesnt produce that much waste. When I first got it back in Oct, it seemed like it would fill the cup up in a week or two. But now it never foams like it used to. So I guess I should also ask the question, is there something worng with it?

[cerobbins]

It probably needs a good cleaning. I would run it in vinegar for a while. Also increasing your feeds is going to allow the skimmer to produce more waste not reducing them.

[three90s&125sump]

You need to get a better pump for it. I had one long ago but never fixed it. I don't know what pump you should get but it should be a needle wheel with a mesh mod on it, twice the size of the one you got and a way better venturi. You could also make your own venturi but most needle wheel pumps will come with one. If it were me I would just get a new skimmer. I replaced my sea clone with an excaliber but it also needed mods to work correcly. Then I added a sump and got a red sea burlin turbo XL and yes it to needed mods to work correctly. Had I had the internet back then I would have known not to get any of those skimmers. But since you have it...

[motorslave]

From everything Ive seen and heard the best modification for that skimmer is to replace it with a better skimmer. I have heard of folks who have been satisfied with them but the pros vs. the cons is severely lopsided. They just aren't what one would call a good skimmer.
If money is an issue then consider this, having a poor skimmer can lead to issues like poor water quality, algae, loss of livestock due to poor water, money spend on mods for said skimmer and eventually a new skimmer. Not to mention the time and headaches from trying to make a sub par piece of equipment work well.
IMO the best bet all around is to cut your losses and just get a quality skimmer as soon as you can and be dont with it.
You would be shocked at not only how much more junk a good skimmer will pull but also how much easier they are to adjust and opperate. Skimers are one of those things that, for the most part, you really do get what you pay for. Plus consider that the skimmer is one of the most important pieces of equipment on your tank.

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by motorslave

From everything Ive seen and heard the best modification for that skimmer is to replace it with a better skimmer. I have heard of folks who have been satisfied with them but the pros vs. the cons is severely lopsided. They just aren't what one would call a good skimmer.
If money is an issue then consider this, having a poor skimmer can lead to issues like poor water quality, algae, loss of livestock due to poor water, money spend on mods for said skimmer and eventually a new skimmer. Not to mention the time and headaches from trying to make a sub par piece of equipment work well.
IMO the best bet all around is to cut your losses and just get a quality skimmer as soon as you can and be dont with it.
You would be shocked at not only how much more junk a good skimmer will pull but also how much easier they are to adjust and opperate. Skimers are one of those things that, for the most part, you really do get what you pay for. Plus consider that the skimmer is one of the most important pieces of equipment on your tank.

Like he said don't waste any more money on that,and buy a better skimmer.

[My94TA]

I guess I will look in the classified section and local clubs like ARC. If anyone knows off the top of their head a good skimmer that does not require a sump, please fill me in. My algea problem is not getting much better after I reduced the feeding, and I just got two new frags, so I am at the point where the benefits out way the cost. So I feel I need to get one asap. Thanks guys!

[shaggy420]

octopus skimmers work pretty well. i went through the same phases as most, started with a seaclown, then upgraded to a berlin, now i have an octopus 300bh-f and it works decently for a HOB skimmer

[My94TA]

I am scraping the HOB, and I am thinking on plumbing a Octopus 110 recircluating skimmer. The only problem is I would have to have an overflow box and a return pump, thats another +100 bucks on top of the skimmer. Way more than I am willing to pay. I guess I am going to keep an eye out for a used one. But I am not limiting myself just to that one, if someone had one for sale that did not have to run in a sump, I will definitly consider it. Thanks for your input, I am open to everything to make my tank top notch.

[three90s&125sump]

There are actually good HOB skimmers. I can't think of any right now. Aquafoamer maybe, the real issue is the pumps are under powered. Most skimmers would benifit from an upgraded pump. I'm gonna good look some up real quick in my magazines.

Ok coralife super skimmer needle wheel 220 HOB 225 bucks. Needle wheel pump

Aqua medic turbofloater 1000 200 bucks has a OEM mesh modded needle wheel pump.

I know I said the red sea burlin turbo needed mods when I got it but from what I am reading they did some mods already. Burlin turbo X2 HOB 230 bucks with needle wheel pump.

The only one I have used out of all those is the burlin and wasn't satisfied with it. But that was 10 years ago and it lloks like they have addressed some of the issues. I have heard very good things about the coralife skimmer like it is the best HOB skimmer in its price range. I have not personally used one but have seen them in action and they do pull out some good skimmate. As far as the turbofloater goes I really wanted to get one of those about 6 years ago but I didn't. They seem to be built right but as it is can't really look for the pump specs on anything. You should do some research on HOB skimmers and start a poll in general to help you decide then try to pick one up used off ebay for half price. Maybe even get one with out a pump really cheap then get a pump and mod it to work right. Just from what I see now with out knowing pump specs I would say the turbofloater would work best but that's just because of the mesh mod but that's an easy mod that you can do to any needle wheel pump. I'm planning on doing it to my orca.

[My94TA]

I dont like the exposed parts of HOB filters. The only thing on mine that is exposed is the collection cup, which doesnt bother me too much. But the coral life looks like a good majority is exposed above the tank. Are you suggesting aqua medic HOB or the regular one. I am starting to think I want to stay away from the HOB. I feel I will be better off getting one that is a "stand alone" skimmer, one that doesnt have to be in a sump.
If I do this, will have to use an overflow box and a return pump? If I have to have a return pump, how do I determine what gph rating I need? Thanks for your help and suggestions Jason!

[My94TA]

A person local to me made an offer to sell his CPR bakpak2 with pump for $50. I dont know anything about this filter. What does everyone else think about it? It doesnt seem any better than the one I already have from testimonies on supplier's sites.

[three90s&125sump]

Ok as far as a stand alone skimmer goes you'll need a sump whether you put the skimmer in it or not. If you want one that is external you'll pay a lot more for it because it needs to be water tight as apposed to an in sump design. I am a big proponent for sumps I think they can be a pain in the booty sometimes but the payoff is well worth it. I see in your siggy you have a 52 gallon tank and your working twards having a reef. If that is your goal and your not going for a lagoonal biotope then a sump is almost a must. If you do go with a sump then it opens the door for a lot of options in (better) skimmers. I would how ever not recommend you get an over flow box but have the tank drilled if possible. Over flow boxes are notorious for overflowing after power outages and any other time the syphon is broke. When they over flow they can do some serious damage to other equipment and your house. Not to mention your inhabitants of the tank. Adding a sump is not as simple as just adding a sump. You also need to consider other equipment needs and power consumption. For a 52 gallon tank you would be good with a 700GPH return pump. And an ASM G3 skimmer or equivolent. I think if your tank is doing well now you should take your time save your money and do a lot of research on sump design and skimmers. It will pay off in the long run.

[My94TA]

If I dont use an overflow box, can I just have a PVC pipe in the tank plubed directly to the pump and then from the skimmer to a return pump back into the tank? I am not planning on keeping this tank long term. Maybe another year, so I dont want to dump money into it. Im thinking my best choice is to buy a skimmer now that I can put on my next project of 150gal or more.

[My94TA]

I think I am setting myself up for a losing battle. I wanted to spend less than $200 on a skimmer that can handle over 150gal. It appears I am not going to find something of quality at that price. Unless I overlooked/missed a skimmer that meets those requirements. I know there are plenty of used ones out there, it is just finding them!

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by My94TA

If I dont use an overflow box, can I just have a PVC pipe in the tank plubed directly to the pump and then from the skimmer to a return pump back into the tank? I am not planning on keeping this tank long term. Maybe another year, so I dont want to dump money into it. Im thinking my best choice is to buy a skimmer now that I can put on my next project of 150gal or more.

Are you talking about just running the input to the tank and the drain back to the tank? That isn't going to work. If you try to do it with two pumps you will never get them adjusted to the same flow rate. If the feed pump is slightly faster, you get a flood situation. If the drain pump is slightly faster, it sucks the skimmer dry. Not to mention the almost impossible scenario of trying to adjust the water level in it.

Originally Posted by My94TA

I think I am setting myself up for a losing battle. I wanted to spend less than $200 on a skimmer that can handle over 150gal. It appears I am not going to find something of quality at that price. Unless I overlooked/missed a skimmer that meets those requirements. I know there are plenty of used ones out there, it is just finding them!

Keep looking. You can find used skimmers you just have to be patient. If you have a pump that could be used, a PVC skimmer could be an option, depending on how handy you are and how much DIY blood you have in you. Some people prefer not to do things like that though.