skimmer question +more questions

[zombiefetus]

My skimmer arrived today for my GSP's tank. I had some free time today and got it all set up, but I haven't turned it on yet, I assume it wouldn't do any harm to turn it on, but will it do any good at an s.g. of 1.018? Should I wait until I get the s.g. up higher?

(tank is a 29 gallon, skimmer is a seaclone 100, GSP is about 3-3.5")

I might just get some marine bio-spira and up the s.g. over the next few days.


Also-

Once I get everything set up and the live rock cured and such, would I be able to add another fish to the tank? I'm planning on upgrading to a 55gallon within the year and I had wanted to get a clownfish or two to share the tank with my GSP. Do you think it would be a bad idea, or would it be okay since my GSP is only about 3" and I plan on upgrading as soon as I can? What tankmates could I consider?

And how long should I wait before trying to add some mushrooms or soft corals?

[edmlfc1]

I would go ahead and turn the skimmer on. It will take a few weeks for it to break in anyway. This will give you a head start on things. Also I would wait to get corals. Start testing your Alkalinity, Calcium, Phosphate & Magnesium to make sure you can keep them under control before you add coral. This will make things alot easier once you start with coral. I'm not sure if there is anything else you would need to get test kits for except maybe copper. I'm sure someone else will chime in about adding fish.

[Pufferpunk]

Darn, I wish you had asked here for opinions on skimmers. I would have never suggested getting a Seaclone. Good luck with that. No problems turning on a skimmer at 1.018.

[spoot]

Seaclones are referred to as seaclowns by many. Look for some mods that will help it perform better, there are quite a few in the web-o-net.

[zombiefetus]

yeah, I expected to get what I paid for (I'm already having issues, lol) but I assumed I'd be able to work it out. It just needs a few modifications and it should work fine. If anyone knows any good modification sites let me know, I've been browsing around and I've already got a few ideas of what I need to do.

[zombiefetus]

Yay! I got my skimmer to work without any mods. I think I'm still going to make some adjustment to it so it runs better, but right now, I'm just happy it's running

[pufferfreak]

Whats a nice skimmer for a 40 or 20 gallon?

[Pufferpunk]

I have a Backpac on my 15 & 40g.

[zombiefetus]

:O The little collection cup thingy is so dirty >.> How often am I supposed to empty it out? I feel like I'm going to be OCD and empty it every five seconds. is that bad?

[Nick]

Your seaclone is doing better than most then - my 150 took a LONG time to start working much at all, and now it still needs me to tweak the airflow too often to be very convenient. I've looked at all the mods, most are not so great, but putting a rubberband around the neck of the collection cup to seal it better does help though, as does replacing the black airflow valve with a much more precise one, the one at home depot is called a 'cxc needle' part # 048643070509. Watts makes it and calls it a 'tube to tube valve with insert' (1/4").