Help buying a new skimmer

[mcarroll]

I'm a tunze fan but I can't believe that the 9430 can handle 800 gallon with that pump. I think that way over stated.

Numbers never tell the whole story, if that's what has you in disbelief. I see a lot of people chase air throughput as if it dictated performance. Example: Good air throughput is important, but it comes at the expense of water throughput....there's always more to the story, and Tunze are some of the best equipment designers in the world.

FWIW, the 9430 wasn't one of the skimmers I mentioned (way, way too big...go 9415 at most) and does have a larger pump than either of the two I mentioned - 24 watts vs 15 watts. And I think if we're talking about a packed SPS tank, Tunze would tell you that would skimmer would max. out on a 450-550 gallon tank. (They have a forum here on R2R and are friendly and honest if you call or email them, so you don't have to take my word.) 800 gallons would go for a tank where params are less crucial like a fish-only or softie tank.

And even though it's not really relevant, I'm still scratching my head over the fact that a 9410 wouldn't handle the tank....it's a pretty stout little skimmer (even on tanks up to 180 gallons) and even if it's packed, your system isn't really all that big. Just out of curiosity how long ago was it that you owned the 9410 and how did you make the determination that it wasn't cutting it? (PM is cool by me if you feel this is too off topic....but I'm curious! )

-Matt

 

[wrasseluver]

I have no problem posting what I think happen. When I had 9410 it was on a 120 with 16 fish mostly fairy wrasses and small anthias. I so feed heavy because of the anthias but I do weekly 40 gallon water changes. My nitrates were stay at 40 to 50 ppm and I was losing coral like crazy. So I sold the skimmer to a friend with a fish only tank. I got an alpha 200 and my nitrates dropped to 5ppm and the tank was doing great. I was still feeding the same and I was able to start doing bi weekly 20 gallon water changes. I'm not saying tunze don't make great skimmer but I fish load and coral load is really heavy for a 100 tank. I'm looking at these skimmers and I've looked a tunze but I'm not convinced that any of the tunze skimmers can handle what I want my skimmer to handle. Sorry that we don't see eye on this but I don't want to spend $700 on a skimmer only to find it can't handle my bio load and have to sell it at a big lost.

 

[mcarroll]

I have no problem posting what I think happen. When I had 9410 it was on a 120 with 16 fish mostly fairy wrasses and small anthias. I so feed heavy because of the anthias but I do weekly 40 gallon water changes. My nitrates were stay at 40 to 50 ppm and I was losing coral like crazy. So I sold the skimmer to a friend with a fish only tank. I got an alpha 200 and my nitrates dropped to 5ppm and the tank was doing great. I was still feeding the same and I was able to start doing bi weekly 20 gallon water changes. I'm not saying tunze don't make great skimmer but I fish load and coral load is really heavy for a 100 tank. I'm looking at these skimmers and I've looked a tunze but I'm not convinced that any of the tunze skimmers can handle what I want my skimmer to handle. Sorry that we don't see eye on this but I don't want to spend $700 on a skimmer only to find it can't handle my bio load and have to sell it at a big lost.

FWIW, any skimmer is limited to removing about 30% of dissolved organics. Also, the 9415 is about $500, BTW. (Not $700) Definitely a bargain, but not on your radar.

Sorry for not being more clear - no longer trying to sell you on anything....and was more specifically asking about the skimmers performance and what made it seem like the problem. E.g. Was it skimming? Did it stop skimming? Did it not seem adjustable? Did the cup fill up too fast?Etc. (Also why I suspected you might think it was off topic for your thread and PM might be just as well. )

Thanks and good luck either way you choose!

-Matt

 

[wrasseluver]

FWIW, any skimmer is limited to removing about 30% of dissolved organics. Also, the 9415 is about $500, BTW. (Not $700) Definitely a bargain, but not on your radar.

Sorry for not being more clear - no longer trying to sell you on anything....and was more specifically asking about the skimmers performance and what made it seem like the problem. E.g. Was it skimming? Did it stop skimming? Did it not seem adjustable? Did the cup fill up too fast?Etc. (Also why I suspected you might think it was off topic for your thread and PM might be just as well. )

Thanks and good luck either way you choose!

-Matt

No problem. I never had any issue with it working it just didn't keep up with my bio load. I'm looking at the 9415 and the 9430 and both have the same body size on the skimmer. The only thing that I see different is the pump wattage. My question is the pump differ in size or is it just the wattage? Info on these web site is limited and that why I'm asking for help. Don't be discouraged on me saying the 9410 don't work out. I'm love your enthusiasm and enjoy discussing this because it has me really taking a second look at the skimmer.

 

[rworegon]

I was looking at the POV when I was looking for a skimmer. I'm not convinced the DC pumps have all the kinks worked out yet. Sure they are adjustable, and quiet, and use less power but there have been quite a few failures as of yet. I just couldnt justify spending $900 for a skimmer that might fail ion the first year. I will wait till they have been out for a while. I ended up getting a Skimz 181 from a friend who was tearing down their tank. Its a space saver design, only 8 3/4" square foorprint, cone design with the output coming out of the bottom of the body which makes it extremely quiet with no micro bubbles and is rated at something like 360 gal.

 

[wrasseluver]

I was looking at the POV when I was looking for a skimmer. I'm not convinced the DC pumps have all the kinks worked out yet. Sure they are adjustable, and quiet, and use less power but there have been quite a few failures as of yet. I just couldnt justify spending $900 for a skimmer that might fail ion the first year. I will wait till they have been out for a while. I ended up getting a Skimz 181 from a friend who was tearing down their tank. Its a space saver design, only 8 3/4" square foorprint, cone design with the output coming out of the bottom of the body which makes it extremely quiet with no micro bubbles and is rated at something like 360 gal.

Thanks for the heads up. I did hear that the DC pump did have some issues.

 

[KC-Reef]

Having installed and run the POV and DC Return Pumps my only complaint is the quality of the front housing on the return pumps. You have to be ver careful or it will crack or snap right off when threading anything on or off. Besides this both work very well.. In my opinion the DC pumps Dont handle high head very we'll but the POV DC3 is a beast.

 

[YHSublime]

Not skipping over it but just telling me to buy it with out any other info doesn't help. I need more personal experience. I'm looking at the skimmer now.

Sorry about that! The Captains do a great job, and for the price, you can't beat it. They use the PSK-1000 pumps which are extremely reliable, and I believe all their skimmers are recirculating. I ran a CS1 on my 57 Deep Blue, and for a month or so on my 150 gallon. It could have handled it, but I came into some cash, and shelled out for a CS3, which is made to handle 500 gallons. The costs are kept down, because you actually build your skimmer from the acrylic pieces they send you. Don't worry, they send everything you need. I'm not a very big DIY'er, and I built the whole thing very quickly. Another plus is they are American made.

 

[wrasseluver]

Great thank you for the information.

 

[mcarroll]

Since you asked for it, this should illustrate some of the differences between the 9415 and 9430!

The 9415 and 9430 sit on the same footprint, but the 9430 is about 2" taller and has a ~40% bigger (in watts) pump.

[TABLE="class: grid, width: 900"]
[TR]
[TD]9415[/TD]
[TD]9430[/TD]
[TD]9480[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]$587
~20 watts[/TD]
[TD]$681
32 watts[/TD]
[TD]$1373
~80 watts[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


Ripped all this straight from their website.

FYI, the wattage on the 9415 and 9480 is only published for the 50Hz version of the pump. Not sure why. Judging by the 9410 and 9430, converting to 60Hz seems to imply a 25% markup in watts, so that's the calculation I applied to get the "~20 watts" and "~80 watts" posted above.

Don't forget to compare the volume of the skimmer bodies, along with other performance stats like air and water flow. They all work together and don't work as well when one stat is weak.

Stats along with other factors like clean-ability (see any thumbscrews here....heck no!) and reliability all add up to the value (or lack of it) in your skimmer. Funny shapes, odd pumps and other features don't bring much extra to the table IMO...not in terms of bang for your buck anyway.

Pretty sure I've said my piece.....LOL. Holler if you have any questions.

-Matt

 

[TOPLIS]

Pov2 is very quiet...no vibrations...skims great...broke in quickly

 

[wrasseluver]

Thanks guys. I just made a trade for a bk mini 200.

 

[marinelife]

I just installed Tunze 9430 last week, so far I am loving it. Its on a 400 Gallon SPS tank.
It has been pulling some nasty stuff out of the water. I highly recommend Tunze Skimmers

 

[Dtech07]

AquaMaxx EM200 or EM300 also a SWC 160 or 180