Quality of a "Sea Clone" skimmer??

[NaH2O]

This thread is interesting because I've read time and time again that sea clones are junk. Then, more recently I've been reading that the new models have been modified to work better, and so the modifications hobbiests were making are no longer necessary. I always recommend to buy the biggest baddest skimmer you can afford, but I know when you are setting up a system in this hobby - all the equipment adds up financially. A sea clone skimmer is better than no skimmer at all - and as long as you make it work for what you have, then why would it be wrong?

 

[TomV]

Well said, Nikki!

 

[Witfull]

one thing i see in the pics is that the skim is very wet. is that a daily pull? i run a berlin turbo and my foam is much drier. can you adjust it so it runs drier?

 

[bradreef]

the one no one is mentioning is the bak pak. Its isn't as good as the remora but much better than the seaclone. A lot less than the remora and maybe 20 more than the seaclone. Search all over the web and the majority of people will recomend against the seaclone.

 

[Katchupoy]

I have a back pack. I added a dual airpump connected to one wooden diffuser. I works like a charm..

Con... need to replace the diffuser every three months.

Pro... You can put it at the back on your main tank...

Why not in sump? I dont know... maybe its just only me... but I think a skimmer on the main tank is better than the skimmer in the sump....

Unless you have a very high turn over rate between your sump and main tank.... and a very bad skimmer.

but it works great...

 

[TomV]

Well, as I stated before, I haven't had any problems with my Seaclone, regardless of what the "majority" may be saying. I've always found that "mob rule" isn't always the best example to follow.

 

[lizardarm]

i ran a seaclone for the first year on my 46 bowfront and it did produce good skimmate. it required annoyingly frequent adjustments, but for the money, i thought it did a good job.

 

[TomV]

With mine, I replaced that annoying valve that they had on the venturi hose with a simple airflow control valve (Gang valve). I leave the valve in the completely open position and the skimmer works like a champ!

 

[NaH2O]

lizardarm - WELCOME TO REEF FRONTIERS!!

 

[TomV]

oh SURE, Nikki! Welcome Lizardarm but forget about me!

I see how you are now!

 

[NaH2O]

TomV - WELCOME TO REEF FRONTIERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whew! - my welcome parade for you is just ending, so I'm finally getting to your welcome! Wow! What a party!!

 

[TomV]

LOL! You're too funny, Nikki!

 

[sharkbaitx2]

Thanks all for the input and info. I can't believe that this thread has lasted as long as it has. As someone said earlier, when SW systems are being put together initially the cost factor can be considerable and I've found this to be true. But after purchasing one a week ago, I can't agree that Sea Clones are a piece of junk and that mine has been happily pulling skimmate since day #2. Big and Bad would have been the way to go for me also - but my wife doesn't always agree with me. The one truism that I've learned after speaking with the pros is not to listen to all the hype and not to believe all that is written - but to find the system that is right for you. Right now the Sea Clone is working admirably and I'd recommend it to anyone on a budget that still finds that they need a skimmer - either in the sump or that HOTB.