Budget skimmer shoppers need to consider this one!

Fliger · 08/03/2006, 04:20 PM

I am loving my Tunze 9010. It is pulling nasty gunk. The pump draws 650LPH (reported) and I think its about $325 or so. Incredible deal for an incredible skimmer. Plus its tiny, you can run it in sump, or in the tank even. I'm running it "incorrectly" but I actually think its helping. I've been trying to perfect my error and have it skimming incredibly well. I've used a lot of skimmers and to be honest I didn't expect it to perform half as well as its performing.

Here are a couple threads -

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...85#post7873385

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=893380

BreadmanMike · 08/03/2006, 04:43 PM

Dave,

I've been awaiting your review, thanks! What size tank is this on and how heavy of a bioload?

Fliger · 08/03/2006, 08:05 PM

Hey Mike, the tank is about 115 total water volume (140 if you count the way most reefers do - LxWxH*7.45). Not a lot of fish, but the tank was skimmerless for a couple weeks. Just a wild guess but IMO, I'd say this skimmer would be awesome on a 125G or smaller. Not bad at all for $325.

It is funny to see "Tunze" and "Bargain" in the same post though. ;-) I'd love to see this up against an Ocotopus or other skimmers in the price category.

Fliger · 09/17/2006, 12:31 PM

Just wanted to give an update. I think this has to be the best skimmer out there in the price range. Every three days it is filled with NASTY, STINKY crap. I still run it wide open at 650LPH and get the perfect skimmate, not too wet and not too dry. The inside of the neck doesn't get all cruddy so it continues to skim just as well 72 hours after its cleaned.

I'd love to put it up against other skimmers in the price range, I'd bet money it would beat a Reef Octopus with ease.

easye123 · 09/17/2006, 12:51 PM

im sure it beats the octopus. but does it beat asms or the new euro reefs rs models.

i want to get the tunze but im debating if it will be better than the g3 or the rs135

crumbletop · 09/18/2006, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fliger
I've been trying to perfect my error and have it skimming incredibly well.

Have you perfected the error yet? Can you describe how you set it up? I read a brief mention of it in one of your other posts, but can't visualize the error. Any pics?

RichConley · 09/18/2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by easye123
im sure it beats the octopus. but does it beat asms or the new euro reefs rs models.

Not after about 10 minutes worth of dremel work on any of those skimmers. They all pull MUCH more air than this thing.

Ceak · 09/18/2006, 09:49 AM

dremel work???

Fliger · 09/18/2006, 09:59 AM

Crumbletop - I never really "fixed" it - but intentionally. When I first got it I figured there was no way the tiny body could hold 650LPH of air. So I had intended on cutting the riser tube down, but since I have water escaping from the bottom its achieving the same thing (lower water line). When you take the collection cup off, it looks like those famous Bubble King photos. These pumps create super fine bubbles.

Rich, I have no doubt that if the Octopus outfitted their skimmers with a better pump, they'd be extremely good skimmers. I'm sure some well thought DIY would give you a great skimmer. But our LFS has the RO skimmers and outta the box, there is no comparison.

crumbletop · 09/18/2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fliger
...but since I have water escaping from the bottom its achieving the same thing (lower water line). When you take the collection cup off, it looks like those famous Bubble King photos. These pumps create super fine bubbles.

So the trick is to not have the bottom on tightly (and let some water leak out)?

Fliger · 09/18/2006, 10:22 AM

No, I'd probably just install it correctly and cut the riser tube down a bit. Although you might not need to - I've read a few folks run it wide open without any alteration. Its a very nice plug n play skimmer that takes almost zero room in your sump. You won't be disappointed for sure.

The customer service is there also, just head over to the Tunze forum.

RichConley · 09/18/2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fliger

Rich, I have no doubt that if the Octopus outfitted their skimmers with a better pump, they'd be extremely good skimmers. I'm sure some well thought DIY would give you a great skimmer. But our LFS has the RO skimmers and outta the box, there is no comparison.

Fliger, I keep telling you, the pump is GREAT. Its a friggen beast. (pulls more than an OR3500 IME) Its the <1/2" plumbimg that kills it, and thats just switching some parts.

Nobody who's spending <$300 for a skimmer meant for a tank at 100 gal+ should be uncomfortable doing a little work.

Fliger · 09/18/2006, 10:52 AM

Ah. I can see how that would happen. I played with a 45 return on an Eheim recirc pump - and it wasn't the angle 45, it was the ID of the 45. The LPH went from 1,000 to 650 or something like that. Hopefully they address that problem with future units.

08/03/2006, 04:20 PM	#1
Fliger Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 8,642	Budget skimmer shoppers need to consider this one! I am loving my Tunze 9010. It is pulling nasty gunk. The pump draws 650LPH (reported) and I think its about $325 or so. Incredible deal for an incredible skimmer. Plus its tiny, you can run it in sump, or in the tank even. I'm running it "incorrectly" but I actually think its helping. I've been trying to perfect my error and have it skimming incredibly well. I've used a lot of skimmers and to be honest I didn't expect it to perform half as well as its performing. Here are a couple threads - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...85#post7873385 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=893380 __________________ Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Closed minds should come with closed mouths. When life hands you lemons, add vodka! Current Tank Info: Current: 210G Elos System, 2x400W + 6x54W Photon w/Aquaconnects, H&S skimmer, Deltec FR509/ROWAphos+Elos Carbon, 6101's and 6201's, Ocean GEOtronic 900 Chiller/Heater, Biotopus II Controller w/SMS. Elos System 70.

08/03/2006, 08:05 PM	#3
Fliger Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 8,642	Hey Mike, the tank is about 115 total water volume (140 if you count the way most reefers do - LxWxH*7.45). Not a lot of fish, but the tank was skimmerless for a couple weeks. Just a wild guess but IMO, I'd say this skimmer would be awesome on a 125G or smaller. Not bad at all for $325. It is funny to see "Tunze" and "Bargain" in the same post though. ;-) I'd love to see this up against an Ocotopus or other skimmers in the price category. __________________ Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Closed minds should come with closed mouths. When life hands you lemons, add vodka! Current Tank Info: Current: 210G Elos System, 2x400W + 6x54W Photon w/Aquaconnects, H&S skimmer, Deltec FR509/ROWAphos+Elos Carbon, 6101's and 6201's, Ocean GEOtronic 900 Chiller/Heater, Biotopus II Controller w/SMS. Elos System 70.

09/17/2006, 12:31 PM	#4
Fliger Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 8,642	Just wanted to give an update. I think this has to be the best skimmer out there in the price range. Every three days it is filled with NASTY, STINKY crap. I still run it wide open at 650LPH and get the perfect skimmate, not too wet and not too dry. The inside of the neck doesn't get all cruddy so it continues to skim just as well 72 hours after its cleaned. I'd love to put it up against other skimmers in the price range, I'd bet money it would beat a Reef Octopus with ease. __________________ Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Closed minds should come with closed mouths. When life hands you lemons, add vodka! Current Tank Info: Current: 210G Elos System, 2x400W + 6x54W Photon w/Aquaconnects, H&S skimmer, Deltec FR509/ROWAphos+Elos Carbon, 6101's and 6201's, Ocean GEOtronic 900 Chiller/Heater, Biotopus II Controller w/SMS. Elos System 70.

09/17/2006, 12:51 PM	#5
easye123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,505	im sure it beats the octopus. but does it beat asms or the new euro reefs rs models. i want to get the tunze but im debating if it will be better than the g3 or the rs135 __________________ Loading...... Current Tank Info: 90g BB sps 30g sump. 2x175w mh. 2x110w vho act. Vortech. tunze 6025. ER rs 135. TLF phos. ACjr

09/18/2006, 09:59 AM	#9
Fliger Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 8,642	Crumbletop - I never really "fixed" it - but intentionally. When I first got it I figured there was no way the tiny body could hold 650LPH of air. So I had intended on cutting the riser tube down, but since I have water escaping from the bottom its achieving the same thing (lower water line). When you take the collection cup off, it looks like those famous Bubble King photos. These pumps create super fine bubbles. Rich, I have no doubt that if the Octopus outfitted their skimmers with a better pump, they'd be extremely good skimmers. I'm sure some well thought DIY would give you a great skimmer. But our LFS has the RO skimmers and outta the box, there is no comparison. __________________ Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Closed minds should come with closed mouths. When life hands you lemons, add vodka! Current Tank Info: Current: 210G Elos System, 2x400W + 6x54W Photon w/Aquaconnects, H&S skimmer, Deltec FR509/ROWAphos+Elos Carbon, 6101's and 6201's, Ocean GEOtronic 900 Chiller/Heater, Biotopus II Controller w/SMS. Elos System 70.

08/03/2006, 04:43 PM	#2
BreadmanMike Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,886	Dave, I've been awaiting your review, thanks! What size tank is this on and how heavy of a bioload?

09/18/2006, 09:49 AM	#8
Ceak Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 317	dremel work???

09/18/2006, 10:22 AM	#11
Fliger Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 8,642	No, I'd probably just install it correctly and cut the riser tube down a bit. Although you might not need to - I've read a few folks run it wide open without any alteration. Its a very nice plug n play skimmer that takes almost zero room in your sump. You won't be disappointed for sure. The customer service is there also, just head over to the Tunze forum. __________________ Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Closed minds should come with closed mouths. When life hands you lemons, add vodka! Current Tank Info: Current: 210G Elos System, 2x400W + 6x54W Photon w/Aquaconnects, H&S skimmer, Deltec FR509/ROWAphos+Elos Carbon, 6101's and 6201's, Ocean GEOtronic 900 Chiller/Heater, Biotopus II Controller w/SMS. Elos System 70.

09/18/2006, 10:52 AM	#13
Fliger Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 8,642	Ah. I can see how that would happen. I played with a 45 return on an Eheim recirc pump - and it wasn't the angle 45, it was the ID of the 45. The LPH went from 1,000 to 650 or something like that. Hopefully they address that problem with future units. __________________ Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Closed minds should come with closed mouths. When life hands you lemons, add vodka! Current Tank Info: Current: 210G Elos System, 2x400W + 6x54W Photon w/Aquaconnects, H&S skimmer, Deltec FR509/ROWAphos+Elos Carbon, 6101's and 6201's, Ocean GEOtronic 900 Chiller/Heater, Biotopus II Controller w/SMS. Elos System 70.