tunze 9010 problem

rick12 · 06/11/2011, 08:37 AM

my skimmer is about two years old and for the past few weeks it tends to stop producing foam. i take it out and clean it and make sure the tubes are connected then put it back and it works for a few days then needs to be cleaned again. any suggestions? a lot of cleaning for a skimmer?
thanks

rick12 · 06/12/2011, 08:27 AM

bump

shawnz28 · 06/12/2011, 05:08 PM

Roger is by far the most knowledgeable person with these skimmer but he does not post on weekends. He usually is on Monday thru Friday so I would look for a reply tomorrow.

rick12 · 06/13/2011, 07:33 AM

thanks

rvitko · 06/13/2011, 09:09 AM

It could be some change in chemistry of the water, for example a surfactant has been added (stress coats, vitamins, medications, slime algae killer) all will impede skimming. Some filter medias can have the same result, Seachem Puregen and many floss and filter bags if not thoroughly rinsed. It could be the impeller is wearing out and slipping and a new 3000.600 drive unit will solve the problem, it could also be high amounts of suspended sediment in the water from a tank overhaul is causing this. In general I would trace back to when this started and note any major changes that were made to upkeep of the tank, if there were none I would change the drive unit 3000.600 and submerge the entire skimmer in a bucket deep enough to cover the entire unit, remove the air intake screw and add a gallon of vinegar and then warm water until it is entirely submerged. Plug it in and let it run for 4-6 hours so it pulls the vinegar/water mix through every passage, this should get every critical piece cleaned of salt creep and calcium build up.

rick12 · 06/13/2011, 09:50 AM

no changes come to mind so i will get the new part and clean in vinegar.
cheers

rick12 · 06/13/2011, 01:39 PM

ok i take this back. what changed is my alk suplement. i switched from fauna marin alk supplement to using soda ash.
do you(s) think that would make a difference?
thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick12

no changes come to mind so i will get the new part and clean in vinegar.
cheers

rvitko · 06/13/2011, 03:03 PM

Soda Ash is just sodium carbonate or washing powder, so unless it had an impurity or contaminant it would not be the cause.

rick12 · 06/17/2011, 08:15 AM

replaced parts and cleaned and skimming great! thanks for your support

rvitko · 06/17/2011, 08:24 AM

Thanks!

06/11/2011, 08:37 AM	#1
rick12 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 738	tunze 9010 problem my skimmer is about two years old and for the past few weeks it tends to stop producing foam. i take it out and clean it and make sure the tubes are connected then put it back and it works for a few days then needs to be cleaned again. any suggestions? a lot of cleaning for a skimmer? thanks

06/12/2011, 05:08 PM	#3
shawnz28 RC Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Amherst Ohio Posts: 3,718	Roger is by far the most knowledgeable person with these skimmer but he does not post on weekends. He usually is on Monday thru Friday so I would look for a reply tomorrow. __________________ Shawn Salty Critter - www.saltycritter.com Current Tank Info: 93g cube

06/13/2011, 09:09 AM	#5
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 30,980	It could be some change in chemistry of the water, for example a surfactant has been added (stress coats, vitamins, medications, slime algae killer) all will impede skimming. Some filter medias can have the same result, Seachem Puregen and many floss and filter bags if not thoroughly rinsed. It could be the impeller is wearing out and slipping and a new 3000.600 drive unit will solve the problem, it could also be high amounts of suspended sediment in the water from a tank overhaul is causing this. In general I would trace back to when this started and note any major changes that were made to upkeep of the tank, if there were none I would change the drive unit 3000.600 and submerge the entire skimmer in a bucket deep enough to cover the entire unit, remove the air intake screw and add a gallon of vinegar and then warm water until it is entirely submerged. Plug it in and let it run for 4-6 hours so it pulls the vinegar/water mix through every passage, this should get every critical piece cleaned of salt creep and calcium build up. __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

06/13/2011, 03:03 PM	#8
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 30,980	Soda Ash is just sodium carbonate or washing powder, so unless it had an impurity or contaminant it would not be the cause. __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

06/17/2011, 08:24 AM	#10
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 30,980	Thanks! __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

06/12/2011, 08:27 AM	#2
rick12 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 738	bump

06/13/2011, 07:33 AM	#4
rick12 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 738	thanks

06/13/2011, 09:50 AM	#6
rick12 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 738	no changes come to mind so i will get the new part and clean in vinegar. cheers

06/17/2011, 08:15 AM	#9
rick12 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 738	replaced parts and cleaned and skimming great! thanks for your support

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