9020 Skimmer report

[jamesdawson]

Here is a copy of a report I posted in the equipment forum.

Tunze 9020 DOC Skimmer report
Hi everyone!

I have had my 9020 skimmer up and running for a week now and wanted to report to everyone since this is a new to the market.

Fist of all this is a link to the tunze site with specs/info: http://www.tunze.com/149.html?&L=1&...r_tunzeprod_pi1[predid]=-infoxunter028=infoxunter028]Tunze Comline Doc Skimmers

The 9020 is actually dual reactors mounted in 2 of the tunze comline boxes side by side. This picture shows it from the back with the included skimate drain hoses

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data...ni-DSC01362.jpg

This picture shows a front view with the "standpipes" inserted for in-sump use
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data...ni-DSC01360.JPG

Note the (metric equivalent) of a 5 gallon bucket. This is how Tunze ships the unit and they suggest using it as a skimate collector--if you can imagine 5 gallons of skimate!

I actually bought this unit because Tunze has an alternate "plankton friendly" configuaration for in-tank use (although I still keep mine in the sump).

It basically involves removing and plugging the standpipe holes and each reactor has a sliding intake gate that regulates water circulation with sump or tank water. You can choose anywhere between 5%-70% water exchange with the lower the number the less likely to skim out plankton. The drawbacks are a lower efficiency in "agressive skimming" and you must maintain a fairly consistent water level at the top of the comlinebox (I just raised my sump water level) When using the standpipes (in-sump/not able to run plankton-friendly mode) the water level can vary between about 4-11 inches.

Here is a top-down view of skimmer operating in my rubbermaid sump--note that I switched out the Tunze 90 degree fittings for drain hoses with 45s to clear my not-perpendicular sump wall.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data...ni-DSC01408.JPG

Although I never used a skimmer before because I was strictly using ATS filtration I will say that this skimmer really rocks! I am averaging 350ml of skimate every 1-2 days in plankton-safe mode. Run the other way I am sure it would be even greater (so maybe the 5 gallon bucket is not overkill!
Here is a dark picture showing a measuring cup of skimate above and to the right of skimmer.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data...ni-DSC01417.JPG

Here is view of the skimate drains into a plastic cereal container.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data...ni-DSC01410.JPG

Here are views of my sump, ATS and 9020 (box over sump is light box with vho ballast on top for ATS.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data...ni-DSC01395.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data...ni-DSC01414.JPG

And here are views of my display tank on the other side of the garage wall from my sump.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data...ni-DSC01398.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data...ni-DSC01402.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data...ni-DSC01403.JPG

If these pictures don't post please go to my gallery where they are located.

I would like to give a big thanks to Roger at Tunze for helping me with this purchase and an even bigger thanks to Matt Hopper aka Al G. Blenny for setting up a Tunze group-buy that made it economically feasible to buy this skimmer.

Thanks guys!

 

[Tagareef]

Links didn't work for me...But that's an awsome skimmer.

Looks like Tunze has done it again!

 

[jamesdawson]

Sorry about the links, they only work in the original post in the eqipment forum. You can see the photos by going to my gallery.

James

 

[wjhuie]

links dont work for me either

 

[Mimbler1]

Wow - that is a lot of dark skimmate for a couple of days; how big of a tank is it running on?

I think Tunze does have a winner here; I just put the 9015 skimmer in my aquarium to replace a 3130/2, and as promised, it is a much more aggressive skimmer. I plan to experiment with the 3130/2 with a mesh over its inlet to help in raising clownfish fry. It might be able to help keep the water non-toxic without removing too much of the food for the fry.
Mike

 

[jamesdawson]

Mike,
my display is 100 gallons and my sump is now 40 gallons.

James

 

[Mimbler1]

Hi James,
That is a lot of water to process, but it certainly looks to be doing a good job. I have the 9015 on a 30 gal cube so it isn't having to work so hard!
Mike