Hi! I am Rebecca and saltwater is one of my favorite hobbies!...and I love all the info provided on this sight!

I have a 49 gallon reef tank which I purchased the end of May from someone wanting to get out of saltwater for now. We were able to save most of the existing water and make the move slowly, so everything has survived and is looking great so far(mushrooms, xenia, zoanthids, frogspon coral, hammerhead coral, carpet anemone+fish: 2 clowns, 2 purple headed fire fish, 2 pajama cardinals, and 3 cleaner shrimp and hermit crabs and snails).

However, I'm worried that my protein skimmer isn't doing its job. It is a seaclone 100 and does very little to no foaming. I have noticed that my water is collecting a film on the top. I have cleaned the skimmer's sponge and outlit tubing twice to make sure nothing is stopped up. There is plenty of water flow in the cylinder and water pouring back into the aquarium. The sponge is submerged about 2 inches below the water surface.

Any suggestions? I want to do something now if needed before anything starts suffering!

Is there a skimmer that anyone recommmends that works better?

Is it getting a good flow of air into the skimmer? Sometimes the airline can become clogged with salt and the skimmers don't work as well.

I assume so...there is plenty of funnel in the column. I read somewhere last night that the air valve should be opened completely....so I opened....the cap is setting on top not screwed in at all....this morning, still no foam...plenty of gurgling...air bubbles in the J tube....

Quick fix would be to drop a skimmer airstone down in there,and run a small air pump till u decide on a new one;D

check your airline going into the powerhead and the ventri for clogs,also the air adjusting valve could be stopped up...if you're looking to replace it,Eshoppe makes a good hang on skimmer,the PSK 100 should do a good job on your tank and it's reasonably priced,I've had both and it's a lot better skimmer than the seaclone

Yeah, I had to mess with the airline tube forever when I had a seaclone skimmer. However the skimmer has not much to do with the film on the water surface, unless you installed a surface skimmer. Make sure your powerheads point to the top, so they can break the surface. also if you set up a sump, an overflow would also help to skim the surface. Good luck!

i have the same skimmer they are very touchy keep playing with it till you find the sweet spot.
they also have a brake in period. i have found with mine when i clean it (not just the collction cup) but the skimmer its self.
it takes a cpl days to start foaming. i close the air valve all the way then open till air starts then i go another 1/2 turn to 1 full turn. depending on if i want to dry skim or wet skim. overall i like mine it does a great job. i am running it on a 40-gal reef with two clowns and a purple tang. i hope i have helped a fellow reefer out good luck to you.
feel free to contact me if you have any questions

thanks
nelson

That's what I did to mine. By the time I was done modding the skimmer it was pulling some nasty stuff though. I recommend looking for a better skimmer though because seaclones aren't that great even when modded.

We would love to see your tank! You should start a thread in our tank journals and show us your piece of the reef

Thanks, guys!! You have been a great help! I ordered another on...aquaC remora...it had good reviews and recommendations...until it gets here, I'm messing with it like you all have suggested. I'll also try to get pics.

Great skimmer, I used them for about 4 years. I've had both the Pro and the nano version. It'll break in overnight, and never have to mess with air intakes. The only cons it's sooo loud..IMO