9015 not skimming

[StinkyBunny]

I've had the skimmer on the tank now for a week, figured I'd give it that long to run in and it's still not producing anything. The foam goes up into the neck of the cup but doesn't over flow into the collection cup. I have the air screw wide open, water level set to the line and I'm at a loss. Poured over the forum here and the instruction manual. I have taken the skimmer apart 2 times now to make sure the airline isn't kinked and that isn't the issue. I bought it used so I have no idea as to how old it is. I'm stumped, any ideas are much appreciated

 

[rvitko]

My best guess is that either the 3130.130 impeller housing is broken or the impeller is damaged/worn, either would result in it not pulling in enough air. We made these from 2004-2009. The predecessor was the 3140/2 and the replacement was 9016 which was not much different except it used an eJet pump and included a magnet holder. When they don't skim something is reducing the airflow and these are the main culprits. It is also possible that the silencer leaks or salt creep inside the airlines is reducing the performance. It needs about 500l/hr of air to work.

 

[StinkyBunny]

The silencer has a small amount of moisture in it, what i would expect pulling air through such a humid environment. How would I check the impeller housing? Is there a certain amount of play in it?

 

[rvitko]

The only sure check is with an air flow gauge, for physical inspection, the airline nipple should fit securely in the venturi, tight enough that you could lift the pump by it. The venturi should not be broken, it can break at a glue joint where the venturi attaches to the impeller housing. To check the silencer for leaks, remove the blue screw, cover the hole for the screw and the one behind it and blow through the tube from the bottom, if it holds pressure it is good.

 

[StinkyBunny]

What number is the impeller Roger? I looked but all I found was the housing. If I'm gonna eat shipping I want to do it just once.

 

[rvitko]

Are you sure you don't want to send it in? My usual experience with performance issues is we are looking at a set of small issues, for example a small leak in the air intake, some debris in a nozzle, an impeller that has worn, and it takes a lot of detective work and measurement of the air intake to find all of the issues and get the airflow where it needs to be, I have had some that really stumped me only to find that some small debris was plugging the air intake and without an air meter to check after every attempted solution if we are where we need to be it gets very frustrating and their is no point changing a good part and throwing money at it we don't need to.

 

[StinkyBunny]

I'm already into this skimmer for $100 and it's done nothing. The shipping back and forth factored in with the repairs to be made, it's just not worth it. Gonna try to sell it and cut my losses. As good as the 9001 and 9004 are, this one has been a nightmare. The large skimmers I'm about to purchase for the shop WILL NOT be Tunze units If this is what I have to look forward to.

 

[unze]

its a bit harsh , its a second hand skimmer.
the new tunze 9012 would be a good choice.

 

[rvitko]

It was a product that was purchased used and is at least 5 years old as the 9016 replaced the 9015 in 2010, and it could be as many as 10 years old. I have no clairvoyant powers, I can just work from what my experiences to try to troubleshoot unless i have it here. I am more than happy to help and I think you may be very surprised, I can't see the needed parts costing more than $50 and quite possibly much less, though shipping back and forth would be likely about $30 total.