Tunze skimmer 9011 in sump help

[jawwad19]

I have been running this skimmer for about month in my sump, and having a hard time having this thing skim consistenly. The instructions aren't really helpful. So here are the specs. I have a 70g tank, with a 30g sump. The only time the skimmer works is when I artificially increase the water volume in my return chamber to bring the water up to the water line illustrated on the skimmer body. From my understanding, the skimmer can work in as little as 5 inches of water. I have the return pipe outlet connected to the skimmer, but there is no water sprouting out of it. The only water that comes out of the skimmer is from the small hole on the opposite end of the body (oppposite the outlet pipe). Please help!

Thanks!

[rvitko]

There are two different ways to use and assemble a 9011.

In tank mode (no pipe, slotted bottom plate and omit 9010.400) basically exactly as it arrives. In this install it must have the water to the marked line to work.

In sump mode requires the stand pipe be installed, the solid bottom with suction cup feet and the 9010.400 (sleeve below cover). Water must exit the pipe or it cannot work. Usually if water is not exiting the pipe one of three things is wrong.

The parts were not all installed

The bottom cover is not completely closed.

The skimmer is not resting on the bottom, in general you won't use the magnets in sump mode, it stands on the suction cup base.

[jawwad19]

Do I need to have the suction cups attached to the suction base or can I just rest it flat on the bottom of my sump? So essentially, I'm supposed to have the vent where the outlet pipe is completely covered?

[rvitko]

You can do without the suction cups, but it will be noisier with the hard plastic touching the glass.

I am not understanding the second part, for sump use, with the three parts installed, the front intake grate is open all the way. When it is set up properly with 4-10" of water, water will exit the pipe and it will work. The water inside is then at the height of the pipe, regardless of the level outside. It is just a slow trickle from the pipe.

[jawwad19]

Ok I just took the skimmer apart, and I'll be needing a 9010.400 and a solid bottom piece as well. Do you have any in stock?

[Craig Borowski]

Yes, we have both parts (9010.400 and 9010.200) in stock. Feel free to order on our website or just give me a call.

[STEELERFAN747]

Originally Posted by rvitko

There are two different ways to use and assemble a 9011.

In tank mode (no pipe, slotted bottom plate and omit 9010.400) basically exactly as it arrives. In this install it must have the water to the marked line to work.

In sump mode requires the stand pipe be installed, the solid bottom with suction cup feet and the 9010.400 (sleeve below cover). Water must exit the pipe or it cannot work. Usually if water is not exiting the pipe one of three things is wrong.

The parts were not all installed

The bottom cover is not completely closed.

Must you have the stand pipe installed if you are using this skimmer in a sump? I have been using the 9002 in my sump installed to where the water mark is lined up. Could I not use this skimmer the same way? I ask because I am in the process of having a custom sump built and was planning on using the 9011. I have been told by some that it will be overkill for my 46g cube but have also heard from you in another thread that is it's heavily stocked and growing sps you need to cut the rating by 70%.

I am sorry to highjack the thread but I really need to know before I order anything. Thanks.

The skimmer is not resting on the bottom, in general you won't use the magnets in sump mode, it stands on the suction cup base.

[STEELERFAN747]

Originally Posted by rvitko

There are two different ways to use and assemble a 9011.

In tank mode (no pipe, slotted bottom plate and omit 9010.400) basically exactly as it arrives. In this install it must have the water to the marked line to work.

In sump mode requires the stand pipe be installed, the solid bottom with suction cup feet and the 9010.400 (sleeve below cover). Water must exit the pipe or it cannot work. Usually if water is not exiting the pipe one of three things is wrong.

The parts were not all installed

The bottom cover is not completely closed.

The skimmer is not resting on the bottom, in general you won't use the magnets in sump mode, it stands on the suction cup base.

Sorry for the double post but I messed up the last one. What I intended to post was;

"Must you have the stand pipe installed if you are using this skimmer in a sump? I have been using the 9002 in my sump installed to where the water mark is lined up. Could I not use this skimmer the same way? I ask because I am in the process of having a custom sump built and was planning on using the 9011. I have been told by some that it will be overkill for my 46g cube but have also heard from you in another thread that is it's heavily stocked and growing sps you need to cut the rating by 70%.

I am sorry to highjack the thread but I really need to know before I order anything. Thanks."

[rvitko]

That is certainly possible, the reason to use the sump kit is bigger variations and lower water levels are possible, but if you have a specially devised constant level partition, you can do that.

[jlymner]

I thought the sump kit was included with the 9011
From the manufactures page

. Equipped with the accessories for internal and aquarium cabinet operation.

[rvitko]

Yes, it is included. It is not installed and you have the option of using it or not.

[FFalas]

I have just purchased a 9016. I want to run it in-sump but ideally I would want to do without the tube (for space issues). Will it work if I place the stopper in the outlet (where the tube would be) and place it in 10 cm sump water?

I have tested it in a bucket and have noticed however that water level this way will drop (I think water pressure pushes water out of the bottom and through the seams of the front plaque) - the same also happens with the tube although to a lesser extent.

Lastly, when running the skimmer in-sump should I expect water to also come out of the back holes (where the top magnet holder is)?

Thanks for your help!

[tcossey]

I am new to this hobby and my 120g tank has been up and running for about 3 weeks. I am using a 20g sump with 2 baffles and a refugium in the center. I have not been able to produce any skim with the tunze 9011. it appears to be operating correctly but I did read in the instructions that you can not skim in the drain area of the sump. My problem is I don't have any room for the skimmer anywhere else and don't want to hang it on the display tank. My questions are...... Is it really not possible to skim in the drain portion of the sump? Is my tank to new to be producing any skim? What are my options?

[rvitko]

It should be possible for it to work near a drain but the flow rate must be low. If the flow rate is more than say 400 gph, it is not likely to work well, it will be too turbulent. If the tank is 3 weeks old and little or no livestock, I would not consider the lack of skimming an issue, without sufficient proteins and cellulose present, their is nothing to result in foaming. It is assembled properly if water is exiting the stand pipe at a slow trickle.

[rvitko]

FFalas,

Sorry I missed your earlier post. Without the stand pipe, the water level must be much higher, 24-29cm.

[FFalas]

Thanks Roger, I was just waiting for your post
OK I will see how I can mount it with the stand pipe then.. I think I may have to build a case for it to place it on the DSB part of the sump (so that sand is not sucked in).
Otherwise will it work as a HOB skimmer (with say 15cm of water or so) if I close the outlet where the pipe goes with its specific plaque?
Thanks!

[rvitko]

Without the stand pipe, the skimmer must have at least 24cm of water and 27-29 is preferred.