Help installing skimmer

[ts383]

I'm setting up a new tank (for the first time) and am ready to add my protein skimmer. It's a SeaClone 150, being used as hang-on the tank skimmer. I've got the thing assembled with no problems, but I'm wondering on how to actually mount it to the tank. I guess where I am confused is how it installs...does the large collection tube go inside the tank with the pump on the outside, or does the pump go inside the tank with the tube on the outside? The manual isn't very clear on this, and I haven't found any good pictures of hang-on-tank installations to really help me.


Everything I've ever learned about electricity tells me that "no, the pump motor can't go in the tank. I mean...the power cord comes out of there, and you don't want to get that wet", yet the box markets it as a submersible unit.

So does the large collection tube go inside the tank, or does it hang off the back, and the pump actually goes in the tank. If the pump goes in the tank (which makes sense...), how does one follow the instructions that say install so the pump is 2-3 inches below the waterline, yet keep the plug from being submerged?


Thanks in advance.

[Dustin75]

The pump definitely goes in the water, and the large clear cylinder hangs outside the tank.

[asilefx]

I would recommend using it as a submersible, if you have a sump. Don't worry about putting the pump in the water, they are made for it. Just make sure you have a drip line.

I have the 100 model and it seems to work better as a submersible, plus if it ever overflows or leaks, no messy floor.

Make sure you loosen the valve on the end of the air tube, mine didn't come with instructions, took me a day or so to figure it out. You may have to play with it for a while, took me about 20 minutes to get it right. You will have to re-adjust once you are done cycling.
Just loosen until the foam starts climbing into the collection cup.

I also recommend cleaning out the air tube every 30 days. Shut down the unit, pull it out, and flush the tube. I get salt creep in my air tube which cuts off the air intake; my skimmer wasn't pulling anything out for about a week, then I noticed no bubbles in the chamber, salt plugged it. I flushed the tube and it works great. Of course you should clean the whole unit every month anyway.

SeaClones aren't the best skimmers, but mine has been doing all right so far.

Once your done cycling it will pull out a lot less sludge; if it's not pulling out a lot make sure you clean the inside of the collection cup. If to much crap builds up the foam has a hard time getting over the ledge.

[ts383]

Thanks guys! I just stumbled on this site yesterday, and the forums have been a great source of information.

[funky1]

Hello

[asilefx]

Yes, I've found more help then I ever expected on these forums, everyone is very helpful. Plus all previous threads are full of information.