40G Breeder - Tunze Reefpack 200?

[carb850]

I'm putting together a 40G Breeder that I would like to keep softies and LPS. Would the skimmer in the reefpack 200 be big enough for this use? With a medium fish load, how ofter would you have to clean the skimmer cup (it looks very small)?

 

[trmiv]

Personally I'd step it up to the 9005, that's what I have on my 40 breeder. But if you're getting the 9005, you may as well get the 9010, I wish I did. I like the 9005, but I think the short cup impacts the performance a bit. I find it works better if I don't let the cup have more than 100 ml of skimmate in it, even if I clean the neck regularly.

 

[carb850]

Do you use the comline cleaner along with the 9005l? Seems like it would be a great addition to help keep the suface clean.

On that note, do most people run some type of mechanical filtration in that unit?

 

[trmiv]

I have a sump so no need for the cleaner. I would have gotten the 9010 if I was buying new, but I got a great deal used on the 9005 and the sump kit.

 

[smatter]

I have a 9005 mounted internally with a magnet in my 37. I replaced my Nano Reefpack because I decided I wanted to do SPS instead of softies. I ran the Reefpack for about six months and found that it worked well, it just didn't have the muscle I needed for SPS. I liked the Nano Cleaner because it will hold any mechanical and chemical filtration you need, and it skims the surface. The skimmer worked well too. The small size is also attractive. I think it would suit your needs if you ran carbon.

The 9005 is the only filtration in my tank now. I don't have any mechanical filtration or surface skimming. My 6055 and 6025 Nanostreams don't allow any film to accumulate on the surface and the skimmer does a pretty good job of removing particulates. I run some carbon for a couple of days each month in a small internal filter which I remove.

If I had a choice I would go with the 9005, or even better the 9010 and some serious flow to keep the surface moving and you wont need to skim the surface.

 

[carb850]

I been planning on 2 6025's, but I'm still open to suggestions. I first thought about a single 6055 but I fear that might make a sand storm plus I thought that 2 smaller powerheads might distribute the flow better and leave less dead spots. What do you guys think?

 

[smatter]

Two 6025s would be good for a soft/LPS tank. One 6055 on a Singlecontroller would be good too, but I agree with you, two pumps would create more flow, especially on the surface. If you want to drop the cash for two 6055s that would be the ultimate. You need not worry about sandstorms. The output on the 6055 is adjustable. With a little creative positioning you should be able to run them wide open.

On another note, if you are planning on running your 9005/9010 internally I would strongly suggest investing in the Osmolator to keep your water level constant. Skimmers don't function nearly as well when the water level fluctuates. It is even more important with the Nano Reefpack because of the small water volume inside the Nano Cleaner. As the water level drops due to evaporation, the water level inside the filter falls even faster and the pump will draw in air and fill the tank with bubbles. You will have to be diligent with your daily top-off to avoid this. The Osmolator eliminates all the hassle.

 

[carb850]

I do intend on running an Osmolator for that very reason. I thought it would be a good idea anyhow but I read the Tunze skimmers are particularly demanding of constant water level.

I don't see running a 9010 though, isn't it rated for over 200G? Even the 9005 is rated for around 100G. I thought the 9010 would be nice in case I did want to try SPS, but it does take up a lot more room than the 9002. Also, isn't it possible to over skim for soft corals? I would like to keep some Zoa's, Ricordia, and Mushrooms in addition to some LPS.

 

[smatter]

134 gallons for the 9005 I believe. It is really designed to be run internally, and it works best this way, especially for particulates since it is drawing water directly from the aquarium. It does take up more than twice the space of the 9002 by itself, but the Nano Reefpack was almost the same size. The 9005 and the 9010 are the same size, aside from a larger cup on the 9010.

I don't believe in over skimming, you can always add what you need to the tank. You can also adjust the amount of skimmate you produce to suit your needs.