9010 never really worked

[cherie3001]

I purchased a 9010 skimmer some months ago online as there are really no dealers in my area.When it arrived some of the innards had come apart-but we put it back together according to the manual and it seemed to work initially-at least the water flowed out from where it was supposed to.After a few days it did start to produce a little foam-not much but I wasn't too worried since my tank was pretty pristine.Well susequently it has worked only sporadically if at all.We've had it apart several times-cleaned,etc. It will seem to produce some bubbling -but then quits,meaning water is still flowing out of the tube- but no bubbles.Sometimes shaking it a little bit will work but then within a short time its back to no bubbles.Needless to say it has never produced any significant amount of foam.Last week I finally took it out and put my old Berin back in!!Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[cherie3001]

My old Berlin.

 

[rvitko]

I suspect when you got it your venturi nozzle was broken. That would explain the way it is working. PM me your shipping info and I will send one.

 

[cherie3001]

It works!!!It started to produce some nice foam right away and hasn't quit since we put the new part on.I wish I would have thought to contact you sooner!I was honestly just about to give up and purchase a new skimmer from another company!Thanks so much for your help. :rollface: cherie

 

[captainhemo]

These are the identical sysmtoms I'm having with my 9010 I purchased new about 3 months ago. It has been very frustrating thus far, I'm glad I finally found someone with the same issues
How can I go aboout getting a new nozzle ? Is this a common issue with these skimmers ?

 

[pjr300]

Roger helped me a ton with my 9010 when I got it a few years ago. Seems to me that I also had a bad nozzle.... I didn't realize until I tried to get some skimmate that it had cracked in shipping.

As usual, Tunze USA was there and the skimmer has performed quite well.

A few words of advice for peak performance:

1. Make sure the skimmer is level.

2. If the skimmate output seems to start declining, clean the pump. Makes a big difference.

 

[rvitko]

The nozzle problem was a specific problem from skimmers made early last summer. I can't recall exactly what the diameter of the hole is supposed to be but basically it was a very minor human error that caused the problem and within 2 weeks I caught it and reported it and the venturis were pulled from the production line. The hole for the nipple is drilled by hand, basically any holes and threads are done by hand after the molding. The guy used a 9mm bit when he should have used an 8.9mm bit (maybe it was 10 when he should have used 9.9, I can't recall but it was off by .1mm) You should be able to request a part 3130.16 under warranty from your dealer or distributor.

 

[captainhemo]

Thanks for the info guys.I guess I will try talking to the dealer although I don't really think thats gonna help. This has been so frustrating, spend $300 bucks and have very high expectations and the skimmer hasn't worked since day 1.
It is assemebled correctly ( wasn't when I got it) for in sump use, I get water from the rear hole and from the riser tube. Some foam is produced but it very seldom reaches the top of the tube. Sometime gently shaking the skimmer will cause it to start producing foam for a short while but it never continues. In 3 months I doublt it's even produced a cup of skimate.
I've also noticed that where the airline connects to the top of the pump ( plastic bushing/coupler) it is a very loose fit and The nipple at the end of the airline doesn't fit all the way itno the bushing/couler as the hole is only drilled throught he outer wall. Not sure if this is correct or if it was designed this way.
Getting stressed at this thing

 

[rvitko]

It shouldn't be a big deal, the part is less than $10, they should just give you one. The airline nipple only goes in half way but it should fit so tight that you can lift the pump by the airline.

 

[captainhemo]

Hi Roger
Well the airline is definatly not tight, it just wants to fall out of the hole, its really tough to get it to stay in place. Do you know the part number of this piece as well ?
I realize it shouldn't be a big deal but it tookk so long to even get this skimmer in the 1st place , I can just imagine how long its going to take to get some parts.

 

[rvitko]

3130.160

 

[captainhemo]

3130.160 , so is that piece ( sits right on top of the outlet of the pump and airline plugs into the side) actually the nozzle ?
All I know for sure is that the airline doesn't stay in the side of that " coupler" very well at all. It seems like it was kinda pushed in at an angle but doesn't fit well.
The manual dosent' have part 3130.160 listed so I can't tell if this part we are talking about is actually the nozzle or if the nozzle is what this piece " coouples" the pump to ?

 

[rvitko]

Yes, it is the piece on the outlet of the pump, it is a sub assembly of part 3130.13 which is the suction housing of the pump. It will fix this problem.

 

[captainhemo]

Next prob I forsee is that the skimmer was mail ordered ( I don't have a local Tunze dealer). I really doubt they will have the part in stock but I do have a mail into them. It took forever to get the skimmer originally, I can just imagine how long its gonna take them to find me one of these parts

 

[rgulrich]

Roger,
Would this explain why one of my 9015's also has problems keeping the venturi nipple in place? I have to wrap it teflon tape to snug it up enough to hold it. 3130.160 / nozzle it is, then.
Thanks,
Ray

 

[captainhemo]

My dealer is contacting the distributer and checking on availability of this part. Hopefully it won't be a big deal to get one.
I played around with the skimmer again last night and had it producing a nice colum of foam. Left it for 12 hours, checked it this am and although water was still coming out the rear panel and the stand pipe, absolutely no foam was being produced. I gave the skimmer a little " shake" and it stated right up again. Frustrating
I sure hope a new nozzle makes the difference

 

[captainhemo]

Just a quick update:
My dealer got me a new nozzle which I installed yesterday. What a difference. More skimmate in < 24 hrs than in the last 3 months
Thanks for the suggestions and especially to Roger, I really appreciate the help, thank you very much !!