Tunze 9016 and Variable Water Level

[tmcchicago]

I am thinking about purchasing a Tunze 9016 for my heavily stocked 120g mixed SPS/LPS reef. I note that Tunze says that, in a sump, the 9016 can be used with a variable water level of 3.9 to 11 inches. I have seen other posts here and elswhere, however, that seem to suggest that a fluctuating water level can be a problem for these (and most other skimmers). Due to the nature of my sump, I would probably have to locate the 9016 in a section in which the water level fluctates by 2-4 inches over the course of several days between manual top-offs. (I don't have the room in the enclosed stand to add an auto top-off tank.)

My questions is simple: when Tunze says that the 9016 will operate at "variable water levels from 3.9 to 11 inches" do they mean "at any fixed level between 3.9 and 11 inches" or would the 9016 work just fine if the water fluctuated between, say, 5 and 9 inches over the course of several days?

The alternate location in my sump is more somewhat stable in terms of water level (only fluctuates by an inch or two) but houses the outlet of the overflow, so it is fairly turbulent. My impression from what I have read on the Tunze website and elsewhere is that turbulence is a definite problem. So I assume that, if forced to choose, fluctuating water level is preferable to turbulence.

If the fluctuating water level is a problem for the 9016, is there another Tunze skimmer that is more tolerant of a fluctuating sump water level that would work for my system?

 

[rvitko]

When set up with the included sump kit, the standpipe damns up the internal water level to a constant 10.5", the outside fluctuation is irrelevant but cannot go below 3.9" or the pump will burn out and above 11" it won't be able to take in air. The scenario you describe should be fine.

 

[tmcchicago]

Cool, thanks.