Testing 2 skimmers Tunze 9006 vs Deltec MCE600

[john kalio]

Hello all, I'm new to reef keeping but really enjoying the new experience. Just giving a little input on two skimmers I've been testing for the last 6 months. Both skimmers were bought used, we all know how expensive it could get. Anyways first skimmer up to bat was the Tunze 9006. Great build quality easy install fits in most aquariums (my tank is a 75 rimless FOWLR with no sump for now). The Tunze was very quiet and it produced bubbles immediately, was not getting skimate right away but the bubbles were there. This skimmer would work off and on producing skimate. If for any reason you shut this skimmer down for a water change which is every week or so the thing would take like 4-5 days to skim again. Not only was that a problem but I had to play with the air adjuster constantly for it to start up. Really annoying, I always had to try and get that sweet spot. So I then picked up the Deltec MCE600 (HOB) used. I took the thing apart cleaned it, looked at all the parts made sure it didn't leak and assembled it started it up and saw this beast of bubbles being made by that full size pinwheel and generates 400 lts of air. Within an hour the Deltec started to produce a nice foam. Once all the trapped air was out of the system it was also very quiet. The unit is big, very Good quality, the motor is a beast. The collection cup is emptied about once a week which is easy to dne little small annoyance was the air inlet tube from the venturi hose makes a small hissing sound to bring air to the motor. Other than that this Deltec is an excellent skimmer. So there you have it. The Tunze 9006 is an ok skimmer but because of it's unusual way of sometimes working and takes way too long to start skimming fails the grade for me. The Deltec is a fantastic work horse and gets very high marks for doing the job it's meant to do.