Classic DOC 9205 skimmer

[moondoggy4]

Anybody using this skimmer Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[rvitko]

It is a very old fashioned skimmer, it is based on the same design as the 215 which came out 30 years ago. It is best suited to tanks with soft corals and filter feeders. Its main claim to fame is that it is plankton safe, but it is a very passive skimmer that is slow to respond, we recommend it for breeding tanks and soft corals, especially filter feeders for this reason. It likely is not enough for SPS tanks except in expert hands with other filtration components. It is very compact which is another reason people choose it, when nothing else will fit. The 9010 is quite a bit stronger only because it can actively take in new water while the 9205 recirculates the water and wastes diffuse in by osmosis.

[smatter]

I am running my 9010 in tank with the sliding door shut for minimal bubble release as the tank is small. With the door closed is the 9010 still more powerful than the 9205? I am doing mainly SPS and if they will be better off I will open the door. I can tolerate the bubbles, they are minimal anyway.

[rvitko]

Yes, because a 9205 recirculates 100%, a 9010 recirculates 80% with the door closed, of course the 9010 also has the stronger pump as well but for in sump the 9010 is more practical than the 9005 since you need the optional sump kit and that makes the price difference almost a wash.

[moondoggy4]

Thanks everyone it says on the box 210/2. I just got it new from a LFS, I can use magnets on it so it will be easier to use. PS it is one of the horizontal type skimmers that go in the tank. Sorry for the confusion.

[rvitko]

The 210/2 is really old, it was a horizontal model of the 3110/2 which became the 9002, they quit making them about 8 years ago. It is an OK skimmer but very finicky about water level and it is only for smaller tanks, less than 45 gallons.

[moondoggy4]

Thanks everyone for the help I put it in my 120 tank for now so it can break in. PS I do have my regular skimmer in the sump going as well.