Tunze 9005 DOC Skimmer Question for Roger

[bph0013]

Hey Roger,

I purchased and have been using the Tunze 9005 DOC Skimmer for around 1 1/2 years and have always wondered about its performance. I have a 40 gallon breeder mixed reef pretty well stocked with corals from acans to acroporas to xenia but a light fish load--2 false percs and 1 yellow rose goby. It has always seemed to underperform no matter what I have tried as far as tweaking it. I have it perfectly at the water level indicator on the skimmer body. It is foaming and producing but only about 100ml ever week. Is that normal?

I read another post here about them and it got me to thinking. Should it be producing more? I've carefully tweaked the blue venturi knob off and on according to the instructions but have never really gotten better results. I routinely clean the pump and make sure to inspect/reattach the venturi house in the housing properly and it all looks fine to me. I'm including some pictures to show you how it typically operates. You mentioned something in that thread about faulty venturi openings/fittings produced in the 2007 models, which is around the time I purchased mine. I've always appreciated the Tunze's customer service, really it's the best I've encountered in any industry, and would appreciate your professional opinion. Thanks!

 

[rvitko]

We are pretty close to you, do you think after New Years you could send it in. At most you would have 3 business days of downtime. I think you should be getting more.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin, TX 78753

 

[bph0013]

Sure, I really appreciate you looking at it for me.

 

[smatter]

I get about 200ml a week in my 9005 if I clean it twice. It seems to pull the most in the first three days after I clean it, then the production drops off. My system is similar in size to yours with only two tiny fish and mainly SPS. The skimmer itself appears to be close in age to yours as well. Mine has a brown air intake where the blue screw attaches. I always wondered about that. It must have been one of the first ones after they transitioned over from brown.

 

[smatter]

This is an old pic, the foam is less aqueous now. I still get 80-90ml of a darker effluent now every 3 days or so.

 

[bph0013]

mine stays fairly dark, I just expected it to produce more I guess. I have a lot of faith in Roger. He's always treated me well in the past, which is really why I buy Tunze. They're solid products usually but when there is a problem Roger & Co. fix them in record time. You can't ask for more than that IMO.

 

[smatter]

Agreed!

 

[GaryR1984]

I buy more for the service then I do the name as well. Tunze is great and I've heard nothing but the best!

I run my skimmers dry so i don't have to change it as often and it's always a nice black film. been thinking of upgrading my skimmer as I got rid of my 20L for a Tech 45. Guess it's just time for a good upgrade.