9010 skimming

[jnb]

will the Tunze skimmer 9010 pull the same amount organics as any other skimmer if you ignore how long it takes

My oversized current skimmer has many days when it does not pull much at all while perhaps a 9010 would keep chugging along like a turtle but catch up.

Would I be better off getting the 9015 cup for the 9010 or the extractor if I want to increase volumn of skimate before emptying?

i.e. which would maintain best skimming?

If I get the 9015 cup for my 9010, is the neck length different such that I would get different skimming performance or is the cup just larger?

If I get the 9015 cup for the 9010, does the auto shutoff when cup is filled still work?

Thanks

 

[rvitko]

Bigger skimmers have more reaction area and if proteins and cellulose are not removed they decompose into substances which are not removable. It would depend on how well your current skimmer is running but I don't think a 9010 could equal a well tuned needlewheel or downdraft with a 8" plus diameter. It may equal a smaller one.

The 9015 cup has a taller tube, the foam extractor is about 1" shorter and I prefer it as it seems to skim better than the taller cup, the skimmate is not so dry and thick and I prefer a slightly wetter skimmate. I believe it removes more.

The 9015 cup has auto shut off and the foam extractor will work the same if installed so the drain hoes is at the bottom of a bucket. As the waste rises it restricts the drain and collapses the foam column.

 

[jnb]

thanks - it all makes sense - I didn't think that the organics,etc if they do not get pulled sooner than later become nonpullable

maybe 2 times 9010 - still drawing half the amps of my current ehiem 1260, in the sump, quiet, taking up less space

what do you think about that?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9482527#post9482527 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
Bigger skimmers have more reaction area and if proteins and cellulose are not removed they decompose into substances which are not removable. It would depend on how well your current skimmer is running but I don't think a 9010 could equal a well tuned needlewheel or downdraft with a 8" plus diameter. It may equal a smaller one.

The 9015 cup has a taller tube, the foam extractor is about 1" shorter and I prefer it as it seems to skim better than the taller cup, the skimmate is not so dry and thick and I prefer a slightly wetter skimmate. I believe it removes more.

The 9015 cup has auto shut off and the foam extractor will work the same if installed so the drain hoes is at the bottom of a bucket. As the waste rises it restricts the drain and collapses the foam column.

 

[rvitko]

2* 9010 with foam extractors is exactly what a 9020 is.

 

[jnb]

lol

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9483226#post9483226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
2* 9010 with foam extractors is exactly what a 9020 is.

 

[Dawn II]

I replaced a Kent Nautilus TE skimmer, which didn't produce much skimmate, with a 9010. It also does not produce much skimmate. If I open it up with more air, I get too much water. If I close it down, the tube gets dirty, the lid gets green, and no skimmate is produced. It is a 155 gal tank and should be producing more. Any ideas?

 

[jnb]

How long has it been running since new?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9544886#post9544886 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dawn II
I replaced a Kent Nautilus TE skimmer, which didn't produce much skimmate, with a 9010. It also does not produce much skimmate. If I open it up with more air, I get too much water. If I close it down, the tube gets dirty, the lid gets green, and no skimmate is produced. It is a 155 gal tank and should be producing more. Any ideas?

 

[Dawn II]

It's been 3-4 weeks.

 

[jnb]

needs help with 9010
I can only assume when you say open it off and close it up - you are talking about baby steps? If the neck gets dirty it is pulling stuff from the water just not depositing them over the side into the cup. The scene you describe leds me to believe you need to make finer adjustments to air -

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9549265#post9549265 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dawn II
It's been 3-4 weeks.

 

[Dawn II]

I have made adjustments in baby steps, but it seems to reach a point where it goes from skimmate accumulation as I described to the next stage which is too much water. If it so tempermental that the quarter turn adjustments in air flow cause the above,, how can it ever work properly?

 

[rvitko]

If you are making small adjustments with enough time in between and still having this result than I would double check the pump installation. It is critical that the air line nipple be inserted into the venturi nozzle about half way, that should be as far is it can be pressed in. It is also important that the outlet of the pump is inserted into the clear jet pipe in the skimmer. The skimmate collected should be a tea color.

 

[Dawn II]

If I plug the hole at the "back" of the skimmer, will I get more reliable skimming? Also, it was my understanding that the goal was to get dark skimmate. The old skimmer did that on occassion, but not consistently or reliably.

 

[rvitko]

Skimmers function differently based on design and dark skimmate may be impressive but analysis of skimmate contents has shown wetter skimmate removes more phosphate, a tea to light coffee colored skimmate is generally what a Tunze skimmer will produce when properly tuned. Plugging the hole is possible but will make the skimmer more finicky with regards to water level.

 

[Dawn II]

I don't have a phosphate problem. Do you have a source for this info. on light skimmate- I had always read- and have seen at lfs- dark skimmate,also note a 2005 thread on RC named "Skimmer Production" by Anthony Calfo.

 

[rvitko]

Here is one but a google search or RC search turns up numerous articles that support the notion that wetter foam removes more organics. As this article notes, a very dry foam allows some organics to renenter the water column and is less efficient at removal.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/rhf/index.php#21

 

[pjf]

Full Throttle

Full Throttle

I understand that the air adjustment valve of the 9010 can be set wide open when the 9015.140 collection cup is used. Is the same true when the 9020.140 foam extraction unit is used or must the air adjustment valve be throttled back?

 

[Dawn II]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9550815#post9550815 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
Here is one but a google search or RC search turns up numerous articles that support the notion that wetter foam removes more organics. As this article notes, a very dry foam allows some organics to renenter the water column and is less efficient at removal.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/rhf/index.php#21

This skimmer is producing very light skimate, and the valve is very touchy- either no skimate- or overflowing with extremely light skimate.

 

[rvitko]

pjf, yes, but the 9020 riser is a bit shorter so full open you may get a very wet skimmate.


Dawn II, can you post a picture? It is very difficult to make a suggestion in this case as the cause could be water chemistry related or it could be that a part is not correctly installed. A picture might help.