Thinking about tunze 3160

[cschweitzer]

I was planning on using this skimmer for my 180G tank. How is it in comparison to other skimmers? Will it do what I need it to do? Have they had any major style or technical changes in the last few years, because I was told this one is about 3 years old. Has anybody used the Tunze comline skimmers? Can you send your skimmers to a Tunze manufacturer in USA to get it refurbished?

 

[cschweitzer]

Also, is it in-tank or in-sump?

 

[rvitko]

We can refurbish them. About a year ago the cup, venturi and silencer system were changed and it is not possible to upgrade the silencer and a cup upgrade is very expensive (about $80). If I were you I would wait for 9020 which will replace the 3160. 9020 should be available late July or early August and will be better for sump use, the 3160 required an 10" deep section of the sump or was to be used in tank. 9020 does away with a cup and has dual foam blow off tubes.

 

[cschweitzer]

Yeah, but I can get the 3160 for $300 from a guy selling his used. Quite a bit cheaper than the tag price(cheapest I saw was over 700 euro or over 1200 american). If I have over 10" water in my sump, it should not be a problem though, right? Could you upgrade the parts of this system to the 9020, and if so, what would the cost be?

 

[cschweitzer]

Also, the venturi pumps were just rebuilt on this system

 

[rvitko]

It could not be upgraded to a 9020 which will have at least 50% better performance than a 3160 and tolerate variable water levels. The 3160/2 sold for US $667.16 in 2004, the 9020 will sell for about the same. The cup makes as much or greater difference than the venturi did. Frankly I think all said and done you will have $450 in this skimmer and it will perform no better than the new 9015 which will sell for that same price.

 

[cschweitzer]

I was mistaken before...the 1200 was australian, that was completely confusing me. I understand a little better now. Do you know of places that sell tunze skimmers online for the best price? Do you sell them direct, or only to retailers?

 

[cschweitzer]

What is the difference between comline and automatic? Which is better? What about Tunze Automatic Skimmer 0230/3 ? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I need more info to make the right choice?

 

[rvitko]

The 230 is one of my favorites, their is no real difference in performance. In Europe in the 80's, in tank upright design filter systems became very popular and so Comline was created. In the past couple years the Comline skimmers have become a bit more powerful than the old centrifugal ones like 230 but it is a slight difference. All of our skimmers are automatic in that they are largely self adjusting and self regulating. They need a constant water level but they shut down when the cup is full and tend to need almost no adjusting once set properly. The 230 will also be replaced and called DOC Skimmer Classic but it will be the same unit except in black instead of dark brown and a few other cosmetic differences.