How good or bad are your skimmers ?

How good or bad are your skimmers ?



Enquiry from Mr. Reiss / Germany

I would like to ask an important question:
How good or bad are the TUNZE skimmers, more particularly the Comline 3130/3115 ? My dealer thinks that this skimmer has no effect. It is said to filter out only 5 – 10 % of the proteins. I have installed mine in the lower filter tank, where it cannot run dry. Please let me know about your experience with this skimmer and how one can determine whether or not it really works. Anyway it discharges a proper "brown swill".


Answer

The topic TUNZE skimmers is the subject of enquiries time and again because our units are still so light, compact and inexpensive in comparison with other makes. In this area our company looks back on forty years research and development, probably the most comprehensive experience of all manufacturers. Our units skim of course ! Up to 80 % roughage, dissolved proteins and cellulose. Your model appears to operate well ! At the present time there are many skimmer manufacturers on the market and consequently it appears very complicated for the aquarist to find a suitable model. Our skimmers are frequently criticised by non-TUNZE dealers because they are uncomplicated, perhaps, too, even cheaper than many a "monster". The good performance of a skimmer can of course also be recognised on the "swill" produced but also in the basin itself: animals in the best condition, a large number of small animals like copepods, etc. as well as red calcareous alga. In reality our skimmers do not skim everything off. Through the diffusion principle sufficient plankton, as well as amino acid in particular, remain for the animals, and that is very important. But all detrimental substances and proteins are removed. Other skimmers, for example, on the principle of flow in the opposite direction and dispersant, always produce dark sludge because they also remove all living small animals at the same time. We care for several fresh and salt water biotopes with the complete TUNZE technology and have registered much success, particularly with the care and pigmentation of hard coral. From the outset it was our target to care for near-nature water biotopes without complex equipment and with technology which leaves scope for nature.

Question

In my basin (350 to 400 litres) I had start once again from the very beginning after ten months attack by mucous alga. My big mistake was that I put my fishes in the basin after only a month. This time I intend to wait 3 to 4 months, but would like to know from you, whether the protein skimmer really is good.


Answer

In order to materialise a salt water basin some rules must be observed, which a good dealer should know. As regards your case:
1) The water should be osmosis water, i.e. without nitrate, phosphate and pesticides or first-class tap water.
2) The basin should contain a minimum of living stones, 30 to 60 kg.
3) The running-in phase then always lasts 1 to 3 months.
4) After reducing the nitrite a good quantity of detritus eaters, e.g. snails, must be used.
5) No lighting until the detritus eaters are noticeably working in the biotope.
6) The complete technology must be efficient right from the outset, i.e. a mechanical rapid-action filter from TUNZE or another supplier in order to remove all sediments and large particles + skimmer from TUNZE or other supplier.
7) No therapy with medicaments in the main basin, e.g. to combat fish illnesses or algae.
8) Combat algae with fast growing leather corals or with types of caulerpa

Returning to the topic of skimming, we still do not know whether your skimmer is a 3115 or 31340. There is a small difference between the two units: 300 and 600 litres air output. If you install the entire TUNZE technology we recommend the 3115/2 and not the 3130/2.


Customer's answer

Many thanks for your prompt answer.
1) I have osmosis water, nitrate could not be measured, phosphate is very little.
2) There were a few living stones, and after ten months they still had red calcareous alga under the mucous alga layer.
3) That was unfortunately my biggest mistake, after one month is too short, this time I will wait for at least 3 to 3 months.
4) I must try it out sometime.
5) Should I really switch off the lighting ? I have heard it should be left on longer (8 hrs).
6) I have now additionally fitted an internal filter with chamber and wadding.
7) I have not got one
8) Unfortunately they did not grow in my basin or did not thrive.

Many thanks for the trouble you have taken, at present I am still using the TUNZE skimmer and am satisfied by it.