Small footprint skimmer

spscrackhead · Jan 2, 2012

I am looking for a small footprint skimmer for my 30 cube sps tank. Tank will have a large bio load 6 fish. The catch is I only have a 5.5 inch section to put it in . 5.5 is width, lenght is not an issue.. What do you guys recommend?

CalmSeasQuest · Jan 3, 2012

Tunze 9011 (4.9 x W 4.4 x H 16.8 in.)

spscrackhead · Jan 3, 2012

Would this be an improvement over a tunze 9006? Slight improvement? Worth the swap?

CalmSeasQuest · Jan 3, 2012

The 9011 is rated for twice the gallons as the 9006 (264 vs 132) I run a 9011 in a heavily stocked 50 gallon system and am very pleased with it.

spscrackhead · Jan 3, 2012

Would a 9016 be too much?

CalmSeasQuest · Jan 3, 2012

spscrackhead said:
Would a 9016 be too much?

9016 is two inches taller with essentially the same dimensions. Same pump, same air, same throughput (GPH). The taller unit would give you better dry tuning, but I chose to simply add the Foam extraction unit (9020.140) to the 9011 which IMO, is a better option and allows you to collect skimmate in a seperate container.

spscrackhead · Jan 3, 2012

How does it make it possible to collect skimmate in a separate container? I don't understand

CalmSeasQuest · Jan 3, 2012

spscrackhead said:
How does it make it possible to collect skimmate in a separate container? I don't understand

Google is your friend

This is not my pic, but it should explain it...

The extraction unit is simply a taller collection cup that includes a port to attach a large diameter hose. You can then run the hose to any type of container for skimmate desired. This picture shows it skimming very wet. I run mine much drier.

spscrackhead · Jan 3, 2012

Oh foam extraction unit. For some reason I read it as the Skimmer extension kit

spscrackhead · Jan 3, 2012

Thank you for all of your help. Looks like I will be looking for a used 9011!

spscrackhead · Jan 3, 2012

how would the bm nac 5 compare to the 9006 and 9011?

CalmSeasQuest · Jan 3, 2012

Tunze is far superior. I replaced a BM with the 9011. The Atman pumps are famous for not restarting.

spscrackhead · Jan 3, 2012

Which bm did you have previously?

CalmSeasQuest · Jan 3, 2012

I don't recall the model - It's in a box here somewhere. I've gone through a few on this tank. Both that I had that used the Atman pumps and had problems restarting. The 9011 has been flawless and the design is much easier to maintain.