9010 skimmer

[tdhz]

Hi Roger,

I'm setting up a 100 gal. 60x18x24 without a sump. Naturally I've been drawn to the Tunze products. I will probably be buying a tunze stream kit soon. My question on the 9010 skimmers relates to where they mount on the inside of the tank. I would probably go with the magnet holders. It looks like the skimmer magnet holder might interfere with the the standard "plastic top frame molding" on my Lee Mar aquarium. Does the black box part of the skimmer fit underneath the lip of the frame. I'm sure your answer relates to the water level, which I like to keep at the bottom edge of the "plastic top frame molding" for aesthetic reasons. This is important to me. So the water level is approx. 1" below the lip of the frame. Will the frame be in the way of the magnet? I guess another important question would be, does the magnet holder suspend the skimmer away from the glass at least 3/8" . That's how far into the tank the top frame lip extends. I hope my concerns make sense. Any responses from current 9000 series comline owners would be appreciated too. I'm also interested in the calcium reactor, so these questions are critical for me. I know Tunze products are primarily made with a frameless tank in mind, so I'm a little worried. Thanks for your time.

 

[rvitko]

It will work but honestly I would use the included rail holders, the mag holder will overlap the trim, it looks weird but it would work fine. The rail holders will definitely work. The only limitation is that you can't have any sort of canopy or else you will have trouble with the skimmer cup. The only issue I have heard of with using the 9010 in tank is microbubbles but this tends to be usual with in tank or hang on skimmers and I think the problem is minimal. The flow door on the 9010 has to be closed partially to help minimize this and as a result the 9010 will definitely work better in sump when the door can be fully open. The calcium reactor is not yet available. I plan to set one up when I can get them so I can answer that better in the future.

 

[tdhz]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm not planning on a canopy and the rail holder sounds fine. The 9010 is a little overpowered for its size, isn't it? I undestand the same pumps etc. are used on the 9015. Does the 9005 skimmer with less air input and less water flow have the same issues with the flow door and micro-bubbles. The reason I ask is because I'm probably never going to go SPS, but will have a mostly soft coral tank, with a clam or two, and maybe one or two hardy SPS species, and a medium fish load. The Tunze website info actually would seem to recommend using the 9005 skimmer on my 100 gal. I was just concerned about the smaller collection cup, and the fact that everybody always says bigger is better. Thanks for your honesty. It serves all of us well.

 

[rvitko]

Logically the smaller 9005 with a smaller pump should produce fewer microbubbles. In the case of what you intend to keep and how you intend to use the skimmer (in tank), the 9005 is a good option. The cup is smaller because it was designed for less visibility when used in tank, this way it could fit under a canopy. One thing you might consider is the ReefPack 500, the new version is a 9005 and a mechanical filter with 400gph pump side by side. Mainly I would endorse this because you would have surface skimming and an osmolator and for the most part the cost is basically like getting the whole set for just a bit more than the cost of an Osmolator and skimmer. This also gives you the ability to use carbon and phosphate remover if needed. I only have the older Reefpack 500 with the 3130/2 skimmer in stock at the moment.