The_Godfreys
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Any chance we will be seeing the 9012 DC skimmer available in the states any time soon?
9012dc
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The_Godfreys
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Thanks, I hope to be one of the first to try it! Could you tell me if the magnets that usually go on the outside of the tank are submersible? My application puts the skimmer in the middle of my tank hanging on a piece of acrilyc bracket with magnets in the tank water. Also will the impeller issues Tunze has been experiencing on the 9012 likely be addressed in the DC version? Thanks for your help!
The magnets (both sides) are submersible.
As for the impeller, for the time being every impeller is checked under a scope for any stress fractures and more than half are rejected and I have been told this will not be as much of an issue with the DC pumps anyway as the start is not as harsh and jerky as it is with an AC pump. The new mold for the impeller is finished and in use, but the magnetic cores are part of the flaw and until we get a new batch of cores, some issues will persist despite the inspections, though they should be very limited going forward and early next year they should be completely in the past.
As for the impeller, for the time being every impeller is checked under a scope for any stress fractures and more than half are rejected and I have been told this will not be as much of an issue with the DC pumps anyway as the start is not as harsh and jerky as it is with an AC pump. The new mold for the impeller is finished and in use, but the magnetic cores are part of the flaw and until we get a new batch of cores, some issues will persist despite the inspections, though they should be very limited going forward and early next year they should be completely in the past.
The_Godfreys
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Finally ordered mine. Looking forward to receiving it. High Hopes!
The_Godfreys
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Hi Roger: Got my 9012DC Monday and set it up after supper.
So far initial impression is very positive.
I looked around at all options and this skimmer is the only one I think is aesthetically pleasing enough to keep in my display tank.
Trying to do this most recent incarnation of my tank without a sump.
First Impressions:
Packaging is good and everything seemed to arrive safely
Minimal assembly (though wonder why factory doesn't stick the small silicone pads on the magnets)
Noise level is very low so far, only running on the lowest setting so far.
Started making foam very quickly.
It is very compact for a skimmer of it capability.
There are some micro-bubbles coming out the bottom which I expect for a few days.
There does not appear to be an air adjustment. The non DC version appears to come with a valve that attaches to the muffler and one is shown in the instruction manual. It seems this would enhance the adjust ability? I have read that most recommend the skimmer be run full open?
So far I can only run the skimmer set very low (first slash mark, 30%) any higher overflows the cup almost immediately. Will this change as the skimmer breaks in? Would an air restrictor allow a higher setting
Any recommendations on proper use? The instructions are somewhat vague.
I will report back in a week or two with an update.
Thanks for the support you provide.
Regards, Jim Godfrey
So far initial impression is very positive.
I looked around at all options and this skimmer is the only one I think is aesthetically pleasing enough to keep in my display tank.
Trying to do this most recent incarnation of my tank without a sump.
First Impressions:
Packaging is good and everything seemed to arrive safely
Minimal assembly (though wonder why factory doesn't stick the small silicone pads on the magnets)
Noise level is very low so far, only running on the lowest setting so far.
Started making foam very quickly.
It is very compact for a skimmer of it capability.
There are some micro-bubbles coming out the bottom which I expect for a few days.
There does not appear to be an air adjustment. The non DC version appears to come with a valve that attaches to the muffler and one is shown in the instruction manual. It seems this would enhance the adjust ability? I have read that most recommend the skimmer be run full open?
So far I can only run the skimmer set very low (first slash mark, 30%) any higher overflows the cup almost immediately. Will this change as the skimmer breaks in? Would an air restrictor allow a higher setting
Any recommendations on proper use? The instructions are somewhat vague.
I will report back in a week or two with an update.
Thanks for the support you provide.
Regards, Jim Godfrey
The_Godfreys
New member
New 9012DC skimmer day 2.
New 9012DC skimmer day 2.
Making green stuff!
New 9012DC skimmer day 2.
Making green stuff!
Last edited:
Hi Jim,
I would expect you can turn the pump up as it breaks in. The DC versions forego the air adjustment as it is better to adjust the pump speed so the air and water ratio remain proportional. On the AC version air is the only adjustment we can make besides depth and the drawback is that a decrease in air flow results in increased water flow, the ratio changes but not the overall flow, this means that whatever bubbles are produced are moving further and faster with stronger water flow so more bubbles exit the tank.
I would expect you can turn the pump up as it breaks in. The DC versions forego the air adjustment as it is better to adjust the pump speed so the air and water ratio remain proportional. On the AC version air is the only adjustment we can make besides depth and the drawback is that a decrease in air flow results in increased water flow, the ratio changes but not the overall flow, this means that whatever bubbles are produced are moving further and faster with stronger water flow so more bubbles exit the tank.
The_Godfreys
New member
Been a couple of weeks now.
This skimmer is VERY quiet!
Still only able to run on the first slash (30%) I almost think there may be a bit too much air in the mix, may try restricting a bit. I say this because the reactor area is kind of violently bubbling to a point where I wonder if the turbulence is keeping the proteins in suspension rather than gently working them to the top. I am getting some light green water in the cup but not as dark as I expected considering how heavily I feed my fish only tank.
One small negative is the fit of the collection cup to the body. After cleaning the cup it almost never goes on right the first time. The effect is bubbles leaking at the surface. It is easy to fix by wiggling or reinstalling but often during the process of trying to re-seat the cup I end up pushing the skimmer lower into the tank which is a pain to readjust.
Its not terrible but I think there is room for improvement there.
Overall I am very happy with the skimmer and am glad I waited to get the DC version as I think once I get it dialed in it will be quieter than the AC version and the cleaning switch is a big plus!
This skimmer is VERY quiet!
Still only able to run on the first slash (30%) I almost think there may be a bit too much air in the mix, may try restricting a bit. I say this because the reactor area is kind of violently bubbling to a point where I wonder if the turbulence is keeping the proteins in suspension rather than gently working them to the top. I am getting some light green water in the cup but not as dark as I expected considering how heavily I feed my fish only tank.
One small negative is the fit of the collection cup to the body. After cleaning the cup it almost never goes on right the first time. The effect is bubbles leaking at the surface. It is easy to fix by wiggling or reinstalling but often during the process of trying to re-seat the cup I end up pushing the skimmer lower into the tank which is a pain to readjust.
Its not terrible but I think there is room for improvement there.
Overall I am very happy with the skimmer and am glad I waited to get the DC version as I think once I get it dialed in it will be quieter than the AC version and the cleaning switch is a big plus!
Hmm, I will check with the factory later this week, I would expect that it would need to be turned down slightly but I would expect it to work at 60-70% and have room to increase as the skimmer broke in/ got dirty. In the photo the water line looks correct, it might be worth trying to very slightly raise it, just 1/8" or so.
The_Godfreys
New member
Last night after emptying the cup I turned the knob the tiniest bit up, about halfway to the second slash mark. When I got home today the cup was overflowed with water and slightly lifting the cover. So not ready to raise it yet! 
Have not tried restricting air yet may mess with that next weekend.
Still getting some micro-bubbles but the amount varies with the switching of my power-heads so they might be changing the water level a bit. The bubbles are tiny and don't seem to be a problem.
One thing I should mention, prior to this skimmer, my tank was run solely on a Reverse Flow Under-gravel filter with good flow through a crushed coral bed. It is still running and is pretty efficient so there may not be a lot of proteins in my tank. I plan to remove the crushed coral and filter plates soon so maybe the skimmer will work differently after that.
Have not tried restricting air yet may mess with that next weekend.Still getting some micro-bubbles but the amount varies with the switching of my power-heads so they might be changing the water level a bit. The bubbles are tiny and don't seem to be a problem.
One thing I should mention, prior to this skimmer, my tank was run solely on a Reverse Flow Under-gravel filter with good flow through a crushed coral bed. It is still running and is pretty efficient so there may not be a lot of proteins in my tank. I plan to remove the crushed coral and filter plates soon so maybe the skimmer will work differently after that.
It is possible, but I am not sure the UG removal will change much, in theory the skimmer should be removing proteins and cellulose before the bacteria can break it down. The bubbles are likely the result of current drawing bubbles out of the skimmer but as it breaks in that will reduce, though some reaiming of pumps maybe needed to completely solve it.
I asked Mr. Tunze about this today. His reply was that the DC pump is stronger, at approx 50% it has the same power as the 9012 AC pump. In general you should be able to run it around 60-70% though the skimmate would be wetter and he suspects either the skimmer needs a further break in or some substance in the water is causing this, possibly an additive. He also suggested trying to raise the skimmer so less of the skimmer is submerged.
The_Godfreys
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Excellent, thanks! Will give that a try.
No additives in tank. Just RO/DIwater, Instant Ocean salt and fish food.
No additives in tank. Just RO/DIwater, Instant Ocean salt and fish food.
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