Considering a Tunze DOC skimmer for my 75g reef...

[spankey]

I have a 75g reef with a 30g sump. Mostly sps and right now am running a Coralife Super skimmer 65g model. I upgraded to this size tank from a 46bowfront. So the skimmer worked good, but now that the tank is bigger, I need to go bigger....

Will a 9005 be big enough for my tank size? I don't plan on upgrading for years to come.

I only have 8 fish and they are rather small so my bioload isn't huge.. I feed every day but not heavily.


Can anyone suggest this as a fine skimmer for my setup.

Also they are available now too right? I don't want to miss out and have to wait for another shipment....

Spankey

 

[spankey]

Well it turns out that my buddy is selling a 6 month old 9010 at a great price. I will be snagging that.. Good choice???

I sure hope so!

 

[rvitko]

I would get the 9010 especially if you will have a sump, the 9005 mainly shines when a small in tank skimmer is required, that is what it was designed for as the cup is very short to fit under canopies and the sump kit is optional.

 

[spankey]

Roger,

Hey thanks! I did just pick up a 9010 from a good buddy of mine at a super price So far I LOVE IT! Set it and forget it. That is key right there. Its already making sick foam after about 10 minutes..

One question though? Is water supposed to come out of the back of the skimmer thru a small hole? Its coming out of the exit pipe but there is a small hole in the rear of the skimmer. When I cover it the outlet on the pipe end speeds up? Maybe its missing something, or is this normal?

All and all this thing is sweet and the collection cup is "HUGE"!!!

Thanks
Spankey

 

[smatter]

The hole on the back is supposed to be there.

 

[rvitko]

The water builds to that height and acts to seal the cup so the foam is forced up and it has to escape, that is why the hole is there. When used in sump you can block the hole but it is fine to leave it.

 

[spankey]

Guys, I bought this skimmer used from a buddy of mine. Its all running and all and I am very pleased with this. A few questions though? I am getting micro bubbles in the sump, thus in the display.. I am running the skimmer full open on the intake of the pump as I tried almost closed and it didn't make a difference....

Do you have to adjust the foam on the exit tube? Where exactly should the foam be located I am assuming its a bubble trap.. I shut the skimmer down to make sure I wasn't getting bubbles under the skimmer from the bottom plate not being shut. So far its only coming out of the back small hole and the exit tube....

Now this might help most with their replies.. This skimmer was online on my buddies tank for a solid 6 months. IT has now been sitting dry for a little over a month... Could this be due to Re-break in????

Will these bubbles go away eventually?

Thanks
Spankey

 

[rvitko]

It is probably partially rebreaking in. Raising the water level to reduce the fall may help. The sponge should be even with the top of the pipe. It is ideal to position it so the water exiting the back trickles down the wall of the sump.

 

[808-340]

Hi Roger,
I just ordered the 9010 skimmer and I believe it is on backorder. My question is... would the cup from the 9005 fit on the 9010? I have limited space in my cabinet and wanted to know if the shorter cup would fit. I may also end up putting the skimmer in my tank rather than my sump. Also, do you sell the shorter cup separately? Thanks, Dean

 

[rvitko]

You can buy the shorter cup seperately. The cup apparently will work, I would worry about wetter skimmate but someone on here tried it and said they were pleased with the result.

 

[spankey]

Roger you were right about the possible re break in period I was going thru. The only thing that is weird is I am getting bubbles out of the bottom of the skimmer where the suction cups are? I have the plate all the way in the way its suppossed to be. Wil lthese go away eventually to???? Everytime I tilt the skimmer to release the bubbles that accumulate on the bottom within a mater of 15 minutes there are large bubbles again on the bottom of the skimmer... Is this normal?? It sounds like the plate isn't sealing....

Thanks
Spankey

 

[rvitko]

I think if you give it another week that will dissipate. It could be bubbles escaping or collecting under the unit from the output but the pump will weaken a bit with age, it is a bit too strong at first but a bit of detritus accumulation will happen and reduce the flow.

 

[spankey]

Roger,

THanks for the reply. It turns out that I tried another method today. My return area of my sump I keep about 8 inches in depth in water due to if the pumps shut down the backflow isn't more than about 4 inches in height. Well I slowed down my return pump which allowed more water to stay in the sump and it rose to the line on the front of the skimmer where it should be for an "in tank" usage and guess what!!! NO Micro bubbles out the bottom of the plate... You could actually see the bubbles coming out the bottom of the skimmer if the level was below 8 inces? Weird isn't it... So I am going to run my return pump at half and place a flap type valve in the line so once, or if the return pump shuts off it flaps shut right away and this should be able to keep the sump from back filling, plus I will be able to run a slower sump and no bubbles.

Figured I would share that? Maybe the height of the water had something to do with it...

Spankey

 

[rvitko]

That could very well be, a higher water level should slow the movement of water inside the skimmer.