Tunze 9001 - foaming out the back

mikitah · 09/16/2015, 02:16 PM

I have a Tunze 9001 that has been installed for about 6 months. It was working great until I recently took it out for a deep cleaning. After reassembling and plugging it in, it quickly started to produce foam...but much of that foam is now coming up the back, outside of the collection cup, and spilling into the tank. I took the skimmer apart again and reassembled in case I didn't do it correctly the first time. Everything seemed to be fine. Once reassembled for the second time, it is still producing foam outside the collection cup. Specifically it is in the area of the skimmer where the airtube comes out. I'd love some help/advice!

rvitko · 09/16/2015, 03:25 PM

The most common cause of this would be that the skimmer is submerged too deep, are you sure it is not submerged past the marked line?

rvitko · 09/16/2015, 03:26 PM

One other possibility would be if the plate that installs under the cup (airline passes through it to the pump) was put it upside down.

mikitah · 09/16/2015, 07:36 PM

The plate being upside down was totally the problem! I didn't even realize there was a "right" way until you mentioned it. Everything is working like normal now. Thanks so much!

shifty51008 · 09/16/2015, 08:33 PM

Told ya Roger was the man

Glad you figured out the problem.

rvitko · 09/17/2015, 08:25 AM

Thank you!

mikitah · 10/25/2015, 03:45 PM

Roger, I'm afraid the problem is continuing. The plate is installed correctly and the water level is below the wavy line. Do you have any other ideas?

mikitah · 10/25/2015, 03:48 PM

How long is manufacture warranty?

rvitko · 10/26/2015, 10:39 AM

The warranty is 2 years, if you send it in (assuming you are in the US) we can diagnose and repair it. Is there any chance I can see a photo of the problem?

mikitah · 10/27/2015, 10:04 AM

I had unplugged it. I plugged it back in and it worked!I guess the problem is intermittent. If it does it again, I'll take pics and be in touch.

mikitah · 10/29/2015, 03:31 PM

mikitah · 10/29/2015, 03:32 PM

Here are some pics. Now that's it's been plugged in a while, it's back at it

mikitah · 10/29/2015, 03:33 PM

rvitko · 11/02/2015, 10:07 AM

Is their any debris on the little shelf the plate sits on that would be preventing it from seating? Some bubbles in that back are are normal but it shouldn't be "skimming" from that area.

mikitah · 11/08/2015, 06:45 PM

I haven't seen anything to keep the plate from laying on it's shelf. Can I send it in and have it diagnosed/fixed?

rvitko · 11/09/2015, 10:33 AM

Yes, of course, please package it carefully to avoid shipping damage.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin, TX 78753

Include a note with return address and phone number.

mikitah · 11/11/2015, 08:50 AM

Ok. Thank you!

Indiana Reefin · 03/21/2018, 05:38 PM

What was wrong with the skimmer Roger? I am having the same issue

rvitko · 03/22/2018, 07:09 AM

This was so long ago I have no recollection, my notes on repairs generally only include parts replaced or major issues and by screen name I wouldn't be able to look it up. Usually these issues are a combination of factors, air intake clogged, skimmer is dirty, etc. The first step would always be a full tear down and cleaning.

Indiana Reefin · 03/22/2018, 08:40 AM

Thanks Roger

merlin416 · 12/02/2021, 02:42 PM

i'm having the same issue with my tunze 9001, can you post the solutions for this problem.

rvitko · 12/02/2021, 03:18 PM

Usually this indicates the plate under the cup is upside down or was pushed in too far. It should just set on the ledge and the dome side faces up. It can also be caused by a surfactant additive or being submerged too deep.

09/16/2015, 02:16 PM	#1
mikitah Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 15	Tunze 9001 - foaming out the back I have a Tunze 9001 that has been installed for about 6 months. It was working great until I recently took it out for a deep cleaning. After reassembling and plugging it in, it quickly started to produce foam...but much of that foam is now coming up the back, outside of the collection cup, and spilling into the tank. I took the skimmer apart again and reassembled in case I didn't do it correctly the first time. Everything seemed to be fine. Once reassembled for the second time, it is still producing foam outside the collection cup. Specifically it is in the area of the skimmer where the airtube comes out. I'd love some help/advice!

09/16/2015, 03:25 PM	#2
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	The most common cause of this would be that the skimmer is submerged too deep, are you sure it is not submerged past the marked line? __________________ 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

09/16/2015, 03:26 PM	#3
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	One other possibility would be if the plate that installs under the cup (airline passes through it to the pump) was put it upside down. __________________ 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

09/16/2015, 08:33 PM	#5
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	Told ya Roger was the man Glad you figured out the problem. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

09/17/2015, 08:25 AM	#6
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	Thank you! __________________ 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

09/16/2015, 07:36 PM	#4
mikitah Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 15	The plate being upside down was totally the problem! I didn't even realize there was a "right" way until you mentioned it. Everything is working like normal now. Thanks so much!

10/25/2015, 03:45 PM	#7
mikitah Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 15	Roger, I'm afraid the problem is continuing. The plate is installed correctly and the water level is below the wavy line. Do you have any other ideas?

10/25/2015, 03:48 PM	#8
mikitah Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 15	How long is manufacture warranty?

10/26/2015, 10:39 AM	#9
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	The warranty is 2 years, if you send it in (assuming you are in the US) we can diagnose and repair it. Is there any chance I can see a photo of the problem? __________________ 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

10/27/2015, 10:04 AM	#10
mikitah Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 15	I had unplugged it. I plugged it back in and it worked!I guess the problem is intermittent. If it does it again, I'll take pics and be in touch.

10/29/2015, 03:31 PM	#11
mikitah Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 15

10/29/2015, 03:32 PM	#12
mikitah Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 15	Here are some pics. Now that's it's been plugged in a while, it's back at it

10/29/2015, 03:33 PM	#13
mikitah Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 15

11/02/2015, 10:07 AM	#14
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	Is their any debris on the little shelf the plate sits on that would be preventing it from seating? Some bubbles in that back are are normal but it shouldn't be "skimming" from that area. __________________ 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

11/08/2015, 06:45 PM	#15
mikitah Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 15	I haven't seen anything to keep the plate from laying on it's shelf. Can I send it in and have it diagnosed/fixed?

11/09/2015, 10:33 AM	#16
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	Yes, of course, please package it carefully to avoid shipping damage. Tunze USA 305 Victor St Austin, TX 78753 Include a note with return address and phone number. __________________ 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

11/11/2015, 08:50 AM	#17
mikitah Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 15	Ok. Thank you!

03/21/2018, 05:38 PM	#18
Indiana Reefin Garrett Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 847	What was wrong with the skimmer Roger? I am having the same issue

03/22/2018, 07:09 AM	#19
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	This was so long ago I have no recollection, my notes on repairs generally only include parts replaced or major issues and by screen name I wouldn't be able to look it up. Usually these issues are a combination of factors, air intake clogged, skimmer is dirty, etc. The first step would always be a full tear down and cleaning. __________________ 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

03/22/2018, 08:40 AM	#20
Indiana Reefin Garrett Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 847	Thanks Roger

12/02/2021, 02:42 PM	#21
merlin416 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 2	i'm having the same issue with my tunze 9001, can you post the solutions for this problem.

12/02/2021, 03:18 PM	#22
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	Usually this indicates the plate under the cup is upside down or was pushed in too far. It should just set on the ledge and the dome side faces up. It can also be caused by a surfactant additive or being submerged too deep. __________________ 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