Skimmer for a 29

[Ti_Lavender]

I have searched around for a new skimmer for my 29 gallon reef. I currently have a prizm with the upgrade and hate the look of it. I also want more performance. I was looking around on the premiumaquatics website and found one of your skimmers the Tunze Universal Automatic Skimmer 3110/2. I like how it does not remove plankton has a fairly small size. I just don't get why it is so much cheaper then the next size up like double the price. Also I couldn't find too many people's experiences with this skimmer. I am very interested in it but am a little skeptical about it. Also could I place it in my 10 gallon refugium that is underneath my reef? I was in Aquarium Arts in Arizona a few days ago and they had a tunze skimmer on their display and it look liked it was doing a good job. Sorry for so many questions its just that I can't find and research about it (in english at least). Thanks.

 

[COCO]

Personally, I have used 3110 and 3115 for my 20gallon and 46 gallon respectively. Although 3110 would work in your 29 gallon tank, I would buy 3115/2 or 220/3, both of which are rated for up to 100 gallon depending on where you are going to place the skimmer.

 

[Ti_Lavender]

I have read past posts of yours and I have read that your skimmers require a constant water level which I cannot provide right now so would recommend the use of a different skimmer?

 

[COCO]

Hello Lexusboy,

I am not Roger so that I am not as knowledgeable as him concerning Tunze products. My response was based on my experience with the two skimmers in the past. I guess Roger will respond to your question soon if he is in the U.S.
In the meantime, until he comments on your question, I will answer some of your questions.
As you mentioned, Tunze skimmer requires a constant water level (according to Roger and Tunze manual) to achieve a high performance. However, as far as I know some fluctuation of water level was fine in my case.
You have several options with regard to your skimmer selection.
If you want to buy a Tunze skimmer, then I recommend you buy 3115/2 or 220/3 instead of 3110.
And, if you have some money to spend in addition to the Tunze skimmer I suggested you can maintain a constant water level via Tunze osmolator or osmomat, which is very good at what it does.
Or, you may consider different types of skimmers such as Aqua C Remora or Remora Pro. Given the relatively good reputation of Aqua C skimmers, I think you can't go wrong.
However, it is one of many skimmers that may suit your needs.
You may ask your question in "Lighting, Filteration & Other Equipment" section to have more information.

 

[rvitko]

The 3110/2 is much cheaper because it uses more or less off the shelf parts. The pump is not made by Tunze, it is made by an Italian company (Elan) and is also offered as an Eheim mini pump and with some modification as the Zoo Med Powersweep. To this pump we add our venturi system. The housing is an off the shelf plastic extrusion to which we add some baffles and a cup and a few molded pieces. This makes the cost much cheaper. In my expereience the skimmer outperforms the Bak Pak, Seaclone and Prizm. The Remora is more powerful as is the HOT by Precision Marine- if I was looking for an alternative these would be my only considerations. You will have to keep a constant water level to get optimum performance. A level of water of 7.5" is the ideal depth of submersion for the 3110/2. The skimmer will work between 7 and 8.5" of submersion. Some modifications in the last year have boosted the performance level we recommend to 52gals. I like this skimmer quite bit as it is cheap and performs well and is very quiet when properly installed. I think on a 29 it would be a good performer. The 3115/2 would of course be a stronger skimmer but it is physically twice the size and this might be too much room occupied in a small tank and it wouldn't fit in a 10gallon sump.

 

[rvitko]

BTW- Thanks for your input Tai. Are you presently in Korea or in Austin? What have you been doing lately in aquariums?

 

[COCO]

Hello Roger,

I am in Korea right now. It is always good to see your active interaction with Reef Central community. I wish I were in Austin visiting your store to see the ritteri anemone tank and your corals. Anyhow, I will return to Austin sometime in Spring to defend my dissertation proposal. Hopefully, I can finish my study in about a year and buy a Tunze system cabinet kit and Giesemann lighting (the moonlighting system).

I will definitely visit your store (I think you don't mind. Do you?)

Tai