Tunze 9410 DC DOC Skimmer Review

mattzang · Jul 22, 2020

looking to get one of these, is the $70 extra for the DC version worth it?

what's the ideal water level have you guys found? thanks

jh2pizza · Jul 22, 2020

If there is interest, I have a 9430 available I shut my 240G down.

X-37B · Jul 22, 2020

mattzang said:
looking to get one of these, is the $70 extra for the DC version worth it?

what's the ideal water level have you guys found? thanks

I have both and I would get the DC version.
6.5" is what I run both at.

ReefHog · Jul 22, 2020

I have the 9430DC version and both the AC and DC versions of the 9410. Also have a standard 9401. Both 9410 skimmers work the same so I'm not sure the DC versions actually work "better" I like my DC versions better though and think they're worth the extra scratch. The 10 minute pause button is great and super easy to dial in the perfect skim level. If you decide that you want wetter or dryer skim for whatever reason, you just adjust the dial. There's a lot of talk out there that DC motors in general won't last as long as AC motors. So theres that to consider. Weather this applies to the quality Tunze pumps, time will tell. The DC versions are relatively new compared to the AC versions that have been around for decades. The water level for my 9430DC is at 6.5 inches and my dial is at 50%.

Midrats · Jul 22, 2020

Tunze skimmers are the best! I've been using their equipment since back when it was brown. I just wish they had a 9405. I'm setting up a 50g and the 9410 is total overkill. The 9404, which I have, is too small.

X-37B · Jul 23, 2020

squareriggersailor said:
Tunze skimmers are the best! I've been using their equipment since back when it was brown. I just wish they had a 9405. I'm setting up a 50g and the 9410 is total overkill. The 9404, which I have, is too small.

I run a standard 9410 on my 45 frag system with 40 breeder sump.
Its not overkill for your system imo.
I run the DC on my 120.

Midrats · Jul 23, 2020

90's reefer said:
I run a standard 9410 on my 45 frag system with 40 breeder sump.
Its not overkill for your system imo.
I run the DC on my 120.

Good to know. I do like to feed, and being a 90s reefer myself, skimmers are central to my filtration. I don't need all that other stuff the kids think they need today.

mattzang · Aug 9, 2020

i've had this thing for all of like 2 weeks, but this thing is awesome! i can't believe they aren't more popular

X-37B · Aug 9, 2020

mattzang said:
i've had this thing for all of like 2 weeks, but this thing is awesome! i can't believe they aren't more popular

They get overlooked quite a bit because they are not fancy looking like all the others.
It gets better as its one piece of equipment I never adjust.
Pull the cup, clean it, and put it back in.
You dont even have to turn it off.

mattzang · Aug 9, 2020

i've tried playing with the air flow for different skims, but right down the middle seems to be a nice mix of wet skim without requiring cup emptying too often

Hofstadter · Aug 18, 2020

Got one of these, the9410 DC for my 512L aquarium. Hoping it will go well with chaeto in a mixed with a bunch of lil fish. Going to post a build thread when my main filtration equipment arrives by point of sale

ReefHog · Aug 18, 2020

Hofstadter said:
Got one of these, the9410 DC for my 512L aquarium. Hoping it will go well with chaeto in a mixed with a bunch of lil fish. Going to post a build thread when my main filtration equipment arrives by point of sale

You’d be pushing it over 90 gallons but not because the skimmer couldn’t handle it. It’s just that the 9410 model has a smaller skimate cup which means emptying more often. With a smaller fish load you should be good. Great skimmer.

MtlReef25 · Aug 29, 2020

I had the 9410 on my 135g for almost 2 years but just moved to the 9415 as the bioload was getting a little too much. Also I had to empty the cup almost everyday. The 9415 is a beast compare to the 9410 but is quiet just the same! Started to skim within the first hour. Tunze skimmers just are the best. Set and forget.

Midrats · Sep 30, 2020

Just pulled the trigger on a 9410! I'm looking forward to that classic Tunze collection cup. It's like an old dog to me. Why did I let myself fall victim to the colored acrylic of inferior skimmers

Tuffloud1 · Oct 2, 2020

6 days of skimmate. Best skimmer ever.

Midrats · Oct 4, 2020

Just commissioned an AC model and it's already forming a head, pretty much zero break in period. The air is wide open. I'm not using the post filter assembly and there's no microbubbles escaping. It's running in six inches of water.

Weasel1960 · Oct 4, 2020

squareriggersailor said:
Just pulled the trigger on a 9410! I'm looking forward to that classic Tunze collection cup. It's like an old dog to me. Why did I let myself fall victim to the colored acrylic of inferior skimmers

Where did you get yours not seeing these models on BRS.

mattzang · Oct 4, 2020

Weasel1960 said:
Where did you get yours not seeing these models on BRS.

https://www.marinedepot.com/tunze-master-doc-protein-skimmer-9410-dc

Midrats · Oct 4, 2020

I grabbed mine at Aquarium Specialty for $298. $30 cheaper than anywhere else. I see the price is $329 now. The MAP price police must've busted them. BRS only carries the Comline line for some reason. It shipped right from Tunze USA.

mattzang · Oct 7, 2020

does anyone else have the issue from time to time where it just overflows and continues overflowing? i've been sitting here for like 30 minutes just emptying the cup, turn back on, empty cup, turn back on, empty cup, etc.

it seems like messing with the water level at all really throws it off. when this thing is humming it's great, but this is pretty annoying. i've left it on during water changes a couple times and that definitely makes it angry.

i'm not sure what i did this time other than probably should've emptied the cup yesterday as today it was overflowing and once it overflows it really upsets the skimmer