Brand New 8 gallon bio cube

[saltyfilmfolks]

That's fine, but there's a LOT more going on than that.

Lower aeration, lower pH from a weaker skimmer, microscopic skimming cup (which means if anything makes it go crazy your dirty skimmate will spill into the tank instantly, because that tunze holds like 4 ounces of water).

There's a lot of reasons you could use a larger skimmer, I'm sorry to say.

Have you ever owned one ? Or know what that model is rated for?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

@saltyfilmfolks How could I not? The reputation is really good!

You still have room to upgrade to the 9006 as well if you like the compact line.
It was also my concern that the sump be able to fit a standard skimmer as well if you want to experiment later on with the next upgrade.

 

[Rakie]

Have you ever owned one ? Or know what that model is rated for?

Yes I have, and it didn't stand up to snuff. Maybe mine was a dud, but I do not believe the stated rating and this is from a big tunze fan.

 

[Fin]

While I didn't have that specific model you are considering (I forget what mine was now) but the Tunze skimmer that I had was awful. Kinda like Rakie said. The cup was really small and I just couldn't get it to work well at all. It met with a tragic ending - I smashed it with a sledge hammer in my driveway. I have issues at times.

 

[Katrina71]

I don't get stressed about skimming.

 

[Musovski]

just keep in mind, i dont run a skimmer.

 

[Katrina71]

Worst case scenario. I get a bigger skimmer. Change water in the meantime. Drop in an airstone and a bag of carbon. Been there.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Tunze 9004 is rated to 65 gallons. If you ever step up the Tunze 9012 will fit in the same sump space I designed and it is rated to 150 gallons. Unless there are other skimmer suggestions I don't know how much bigger to make the skimmer chamber. Anyone?

The 9001 is the nano skimmer rated to 40 gallons. My 9001 is about 15 years old and just cleaned it Sunday....still running like a champ. I have a 9012 and another larger Tunze the 9410. Love Tunze products. Roger is the man if you need technical or service help. He just sourced some parts in Germany for one of my customers who has a 20 year old Tunze skimmer and I just rebuilt it for them. That is great service period! Rodger is the best!

 

[Rakie]

Worst case scenario. I get a bigger skimmer. Change water in the meantime. Drop in an airstone and a bag of carbon. Been there.

i just dont want you wasting money on the upgrade game. too many times I've spent say $200 on something, only to sell it at a loss and buy the $350 thing. It sucks, and it happens more than you'd think.

This time around I had shopped smarter.. But I probably have a net loss of $300-400 on pumps alone

 

[sfin52]

you should try a sea clone. Those are super. ;Sour

 

[Katrina71]

Last call on the skimmer compartment...

 

[Rakie]

Tunze 9004 is rated to 65 gallons. If you ever step up the Tunze 9012 will fit in the same sump space I designed and it is rated to 150 gallons. Unless there are other skimmer suggestions I don't know how much bigger to make the skimmer chamber. Anyone?

That's not the whole story with skimmers. You need to look at the air draw. It is drawing 150 L/hr. That's pretty low. Additionally, with a heavy biolode the 9004 is rated for 20 gallons. 65g is not accurate unless you have barely any livestock.

 

[Katrina71]

That's not the whole story with skimmers. You need to look at the air draw. It is drawing 150 L/hr. That's pretty low. Additionally, with a heavy biolode the 9004 is rated for 20 gallons. 65g is not accurate unless you have barely any livestock.

My biggest fish is a firefish.

 

[Rakie]

My biggest fish is a firefish.

Is this not for the new 60 gallon? Because I imagine you will be adding more fish lol

 

[Katrina71]

Is this not for the new 60 gallon? Because I imagine you will be adding more fish lol

You better vote on the skimmer chamber NOW!

 

[Lowell Lemon]

you should try a sea clone. Those are super. ;Sour

Which model on the sea clone? I can make sure it fits in the chamber.

 

[Rakie]

You better vote on the skimmer chamber NOW!

i voted on the skimmer. I love tunze. I had one. I run only tunze pumps, and advise anybody to always buy tunze for literally every pump you need.

I do not endorse this skimmer.

What skimmers are rated for is absolute BS. There are skimmers with the same pumps made by the same chinese manufacturer that rate one skimmer for 200-250 gallons, then essentially the same skimmer from a different company, with the same pumps and parts and size, for 400-500g.

This is such a complicated subject that requires serious thought. To boil it down simply, air draw is what matters. 150 l/hr air draw is a nano skimmer. I mean that literally. It is underrated for a heavily stocked BioCube (4-5 small fish).

 

[Musovski]

ill be honest with you, if worst comes to shove. you can plumb an external skimmer. it wont be hard, i thought about it but im thinking to go a different route. That is 110% my backup tho.

and i agree with Rakie about the air draw portion.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

I plan to cut some parts tomorrow but want to give people time to make suggestions for the skimmer chamber size. It is better to plan ahead than wish for the change later.

How does everyone feel about the over under wall before the skimmer? Yes or no?

 

[Katrina71]

@Lowell Lemon no microbubbles or at least minimize.