Tunze Skimmer Questions

[gussy]

I'm thinking about getting a COMLINE or the short stubby Automatic Skimmer for my 20G Acrylic TruVue tank. The tank has a glued top cover with holes in the middle for lights. I can cut the acrylic all the way to the back since I will be getting a canopy and won't need the lights that come with the TruVue. Or I could mount the unit in the middle of the tank.

Anyone out there who have experience with this two system or maybe a Tunze rep could help me with this. I am worried the the Automatic version will shut down due to evaporation. There is no where in the website where I can legibly see how many inches of water needs to be evaporated before it shuts down. How many inches of this unit is submerged. As for the COMLINE, I don't know if the submerged box is brown or black in color and I'm also wonder how this unit could be effecient if the water is being sucked in at the bottom. I like the stubby one better as there is no big thing visible. If I use the COMLINE, I was thinking of making an overflow box of maybe 5" by 3" and mounting the unit sideways....would this work?

 

[rvitko]

No water is sucked in on our skimmers, the water is recirculated internally and by osmosis the proteins and cellulose enter the skimmer for removal, that is how the plankton safe operation is accomplished. I would recommend the Comline 3110/2. It is brown in color, later this year they will be made in black. Evaporartion does interfere with the performance of the skimmer, on the 3110/2 the pump won't run dry but it will likely be inneffective if more than 1" of evaporation occurs.

 

[gussy]

Any reason why the COMLINE is $100 dollars cheaper than the stubby one?

Also, I could not find anyone who sells the Denitrificator 400.

 

[rvitko]

The Comline 3110/2(up to 50gals) has no equivalent in the horizontal models. The 220/3 is equal to the 3115/2 (up to 100gals). Unless this tank has a sump I wouldn't go with the 220/3, it is too big and will block a large amount of light from the aquarium. The 3110/2 isn't much bigger than a couple 2 D cell flashlights side by side. It is much cheaper because it uses a small Italian made pump and not one we build ourselves. You will find it performs at least as well as any hangon skimmer and is quiet and being in tank the risk of a overflow is eliminated.

We don't have a Denitrator 400 or any article with a 400 number code. Double check what the article is you are looking for but if it was my I would get just the skimmer, the tank is too small to have so much technical apparatus. If you aren't in a hurry in May we will have a new complete filter kit for small tanks, Micro Reefpack 200. It is a mechanical/chemical filter and a redesigned 3110 type skimmer in one unit, it will be black in color and sell for about $250.

 

[gussy]

I've ordered the COMLINE. I'll have another tank later and will try out the Micro Reefpack 200. Do you have any pictures?

 

[rvitko]

No, it is still only a crude prototype.

 

[ghomola]

What mechanical filter would go with the Micro Reefpack 200? Does it include the Osmolator 3155?

 

[rvitko]

It is a new mechanical filter that we don't offer yet, it also can be used with chemical and bio media. The osmolator is not included but could be installed sperately, but not inside the filter.

 

[steveyoung]

The Denitrator 400 you are asking about is made by Aqua Medic. It sits in the cabinet under your tank and as a t-piece that just connects to a canister filter or you could use a powerhead I suppose.
Very good product, I have one myself. just to help keep my Nitrate levels at 0 as I don't have a sump etc.