Tunze 9410 DC owners

shoelaceike · Jan 13, 2021

First 24 hours

Quietman · Jan 13, 2021

shoelaceike said:
Anyway to get rid of the popcorn sound? I think it's bubbles popping.

I don't remember a popcorn sound. I had the lid off for quite a while looks like yours is breaking in a bit quicker.

Astromatix · Jan 27, 2021

Following this thread. Is the Tunze DOC 9410 DC overkill for a 29g w/ 20g sump? My issue is height restriction of only 18.5” which leaves me with limited options for good quality skimmers and this one keeps coming up as it’s so squat. Thoughts?

Quietman · Jan 28, 2021

Probably. Mines dialed down just off the bottom stop. It works great on my 170 (45 gal). Is it overkill on mine? Yup. Still happy I have it and wouldn't trade it for anything else. But I do not have a refugium either so rely on skimming more than most. Early on used carbon dosing...again, good skimmer needed.

So really up to you. But if it was me and this is personal opinion of course, it might be too much for 29 gallon. There is such a thing as over skimming. If you have budget concerns or not sure of this....there are very good skimmers more in line with that size much less expensive.

Astromatix · Jan 28, 2021

Quietman said:
Probably. Mines dialed down just off the bottom stop. It works great on my 170 (45 gal). Is it overkill on mine? Yup. Still happy I have it and wouldn't trade it for anything else. But I do not have a refugium either so rely on skimming more than most. Early on used carbon dosing...again, good skimmer needed.

So really up to you. But if it was me and this is personal opinion of course, it might be too much for 29 gallon. There is such a thing as over skimming. If you have budget concerns or not sure of this....there are very good skimmers more in line with that size much less expensive.

Thanks for the prompt reply. I like the idea of having a solid performing skimmer that I could grow with me if I get a bigger tank but that might be a while so I am weighing that against the cost, plus it being overkill.

One follow up question for you...when it’s turned down that far does the DC pump also get quieter? I really want as little noise as possible and willing to pay a premium for a quiet skimmer. Your username suggests you are the right guy to ask

Quietman · Jan 28, 2021

It's very quiet at low speed...it's very quiet when I've turned it up as well. Full disclosure, I haven't run any comparison testing and it's the only skimmer I've owned. I've been a fan of this skimmer for years before I started my reef - no tuning, no finicky water level, wide range of tank sizes so I can upgrade, Tunze quality and functional design, low height, simple cup removal, and it works.

Astromatix · Jan 28, 2021

Quietman said:
It's very quiet at low speed...it's very quiet when I've turned it up as well. Full disclosure, I haven't run any comparison testing and it's the only skimmer I've owned. I've been a fan of this skimmer for years before I started my reef - no tuning, no finicky water level, wide range of tank sizes so I can upgrade, Tunze quality and functional design, low height, simple cup removal, and it works.

Cool - last one, I promise. How much additional clearance do I need to pull the cup off? And have you ever added a carbon reactor or had to extend the air intake line outdoors? I heard this skimmer is more challenging to do this with because of how it's designed.

Quietman · Jan 29, 2021

About 3.5"...total height of cabinet should be 20" or more. Skimmer cup is 7.5" tall and the top raises from 16" to 19.5" to all the bottom to clear the skimmer body.

Never have used carbon reactor (or any reactor) - just media bags. I originally wanted to use the out flow filter of skimmer to hold the bag, but sump too small to have the bracket (see pic). The sump water height of 8" allows a quiet out flow from the skimmer pump so doesn't impact at all (and I have filter cup instead of socks so media bag is there).

Yes, I've heard that as well on using air intake. I was considering it (well, vaguely considering it) when my pH was getting down 7.8 range at night (8.0 during day). Opened doors to house and went to 8.0 so it was CO2. Anyhow, decided 7.8 (and even a bit lower at times) is fine. (In winter I'm running 8.15 to 7.98 so no issues) I'm not going for max growth rate in such a small tank anyway and everything is healthy. So, routing air hoses and/or getting Co2 scrubber just didn't seem worth it.

But as I understand it, you can drill a hole in the cup and route hose that way (it's very hard plastic) but simply wasn't worth the trouble for an extra .2 pH

Those measurements are from bottom of sump, not cabinet so add 3/8" for cabinet minimums.

Astromatix · Jan 30, 2021

Quietman said:
About 3.5"...total height of cabinet should be 20" or more. Skimmer cup is 7.5" tall and the top raises from 16" to 19.5" to all the bottom to clear the skimmer body.

Never have used carbon reactor (or any reactor) - just media bags. I originally wanted to use the out flow filter of skimmer to hold the bag, but sump too small to have the bracket (see pic). The sump water height of 8" allows a quiet out flow from the skimmer pump so doesn't impact at all (and I have filter cup instead of socks so media bag is there).

Yes, I've heard that as well on using air intake. I was considering it (well, vaguely considering it) when my pH was getting down 7.8 range at night (8.0 during day). Opened doors to house and went to 8.0 so it was CO2. Anyhow, decided 7.8 (and even a bit lower at times) is fine. (In winter I'm running 8.15 to 7.98 so no issues) I'm not going for max growth rate in such a small tank anyway and everything is healthy. So, routing air hoses and/or getting Co2 scrubber just didn't seem worth it.

But as I understand it, you can drill a hole in the cup and route hose that way (it's very hard plastic) but simply wasn't worth the trouble for an extra .2 pH

Those measurements are from bottom of sump, not cabinet so add 3/8" for cabinet minimums.

This reply was gold - thank you! My clearance is my major challenge at 19” with no possible give. Cup clearance is so hard to find with any of these skimmer providers which is super annoying. I could probably still tilt this skimmer to get the cup out but I might need to keep looking. Thanks for all the extra insights - huge help!

Quietman · Jan 30, 2021

This won't tip easily so agree with that call. Tunze does makes those in tank skimmers with lower cup clearance. Have to make sure you have water level. There's a few online vids of those in sumps.