Description

The Tunze Comline DOC 9012 HUB Edition is a completely different kind of protein skimmer. Where most skimmers sit in a sump and wait for organics to travel down through the overflow, the 9012 mounts directly inside the aquarium via a magnetic holder and pulls water from the surface — where dissolved organic compounds are most concentrated — the moment they accumulate. It is one of the most space-efficient and elegantly engineered skimmers available, and the HUB Edition brings the latest DC motor technology for even quieter operation and lower power consumption than its predecessor.
Flash Skimming Principle — faster, more efficient waste removal
Tunze’s patented Flash Skimming Principle is fundamentally different from traditional long-contact-time skimming. Organic-rich surface water is drawn directly into the TUNZE Foamer, where it is instantly mixed with an extremely dense cloud of micro-fine air bubbles — each between 0.1 and 0.3mm in diameter. Proteins, cellulose, dead cells and other dissolved organics bind immediately to the bubble surfaces and are carried upward into the collection cup. Because the substances adsorbed onto the bubbles are not released back into the water, the process is more efficient than prolonged-contact designs where partially loaded bubbles can return their organic load to the tank.
Integrated surface suction — skimming where it matters most
The protein-rich surface film is the first place organic compounds accumulate — and the 9012 targets it directly. The integrated surface suction draws water from the top millimetres of the water column, removing the organic layer before it can break down, sink and begin affecting water chemistry. This makes the 9012 equally effective as a standalone skimmer in a display tank as in a sump-based system.
HUB Edition — quieter, more efficient, DC controlled
The HUB Edition replaces the previous AC motor with a safety extra-low voltage 12V DC system. The result is noticeably quieter operation, lower energy consumption (just 9W), and full speed control via the included Tunze Controller 7090. Silicone buffers on the skimmer body prevent vibration transfer to the glass, keeping the unit virtually silent in operation.
Patented anti-overfoaming system
An intermediate chamber between the reaction zone and the collection cup acts as a buffer — automatically controlling skimmer performance in response to water level changes and organic load fluctuations. This prevents the overflow events that frustrate owners of simpler skimmer designs, and means the 9012 self-regulates without constant manual adjustment.
Magnetic mounting — no sump required
The 9012 mounts to tank glass up to 15mm thick using a powerful magnetic holder, making it completely sump-independent. It can run as the sole filtration device in a well-maintained reef, or complement a sump-based system by targeting surface organics that a conventional skimmer might miss. Installation takes minutes and requires no plumbing.
Handmade in Bavaria
Every component of the Comline Foamer is manufactured at Tunze’s headquarters in Penzberg, Bavaria — from injection-moulded plastic parts to hand-wound motors and hand-soldered electronics. The build quality reflects this: Tunze backs the 9012 with a 5-year warranty and lifetime support with no registration required.
Tank size recommendations:

Mixed reef / soft corals: up to 317 gallons
SPS / hard coral biotope: up to 132 gallons

Specifications:

Energy consumption: 9W at 12V DC
Power supply: 100–240V / 50–60Hz universal
Air capacity: approx. 400 L/h
Immersion depth: 255–285mm (10″–11″)
Collection cup volume: 0.7 L
Dimensions: 5.5″ L × 4.3″ W × 16.3″ H
Magnet holder: up to 15mm (⅔”) glass thickness
Warranty: 5 years

In the box: Comline DOC 9012 DC skimmer, TUNZE Foamer, magnetic holder, Tunze Controller 7090, power supply