Tunze 9020 skimmer

[Raveman]

I have been gifted the above skimmer which comes with the foam extraction system.

Given the small size of my cabinet/sump and area/space under my fishtank within the cabinet I have no place for a huge collection container for the pipes to drain away excess foam.

I have a very small marine setup -- 92 gallons with mainly soft corals and 11 fish in total.

I love the skimmer and obviously its overkill for my little setup -- would you suggest that I run only one bank of the skimmer (ie. remove one hydrofoamer -- and only switch on one) and can the foam collector system/cups be substitued with the normal collection cup/s that come with either the 9010 or 9015?

Please advise what is the best route for me to follow.

I understand that the skimmer cups on the 9010 and 9020 overlap the skimmer chamber and therefore cannot be used on tandem on the 9020 -- but if I run only one bank will one of the 9010/9015 cups be ideal?

 

[catastrofe]

I had space constraints also but found a "Tupperware" food container that's only 4" - 6" deep X 12" wide X 14" tall. The hoses drain perfectly into the container which hold enough skimmate to last 2 - 7 days depending on the load at the time. I'll try to post a pic tonight.

 

[rvitko]

If you run only one half it will essentially be a 9010 or 9015 but you would come out ahead to sell the 9020 and buy a 9010 if that is what you want to do. As catastrofe said, you can use a much smaller container, I would still try to use at least a container with 2 gallons of volume.

 

[catastrofe]

Here's what I did with mine. I commandeered the container from my wife's collection.

<img src=http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ylzdmb&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1>

 

[Raveman]

Thanks guys -- off to raid Tupperware.

Roger I want to hang onto the 9020 only cos of the potential for it to be used on bigger setups that the wife may allow me the space to have!

In your opinion then would it be wise to run both banks or should I switch one bank off and remove the other hydrofoamer and keep it for backup/spares when needed

 

[rvitko]

I see no problem running both and unless they run dry the pumps almost never burn out.

 

[Raveman]

Thanks Roger -- but more specifically I needed to know if running both will be overkill for my 90g system?

Also does either the 9010 or 9015 collection cup fit onto the 9020 -- should I wish to run one bank?

The 9020 manual speaks of teh foam extraction system being designed for use on the 9015 and 9010!

 

[rvitko]

Yes, one cup will fit. It all depends on what you keep for a lot of fish and SPS it won't be overkill. Otherwise you would probably be fine with one side running as a 9010.

 

[Raveman]

Thanks Roger

sorry to bug you but I still wait your guidance on which -- the 9015 or 9010 cup -- I should go for when running one bank

 

[Raveman]

I had space constraints also but found a "Tupperware" food container that's only 4" - 6" deep X 12" wide X 14" tall. The hoses drain perfectly into the container which hold enough skimmate to last 2 - 7 days depending on the load at the time. I'll try to post a pic tonight.QUOTE]

catastophe I'm unable to open your pic -- any tips on how to view or is it possible for you to paste it in in smaller jpeg format?

Is your tuperware container sealed to keep in the smell of skimate?

 

[catastrofe]

The pic is visible in my post. . .not sure what the issue is on your end.

The top of my container is open but I don't have a problem with skimmate odor. I wet skim so that's probably why as the organics aren't as concentrated as with dryer skimming.

 

[rvitko]

I would get the 9010 cup.