Compact Kit 16 question

[Siggi]

Greetings,

Since this is the only Tunze support forum I know of, I was wondering if someone (Roger?) can answer a question about the Tunze Compact Kit 16? I just bought one a few weeks ago and I'm having some minor problems with microbubbles in the return and some noise.

I have the 1074 oveflow box and I suspect the overflow tubing which I'm replacing tomorrow with a 40mm PVC flexible tube (current one is a more narrow Eheim tube). I also have a ball valve right after the box which narrows the tube down to 25mm inner diameter (tube from box is 32mm) and I plan to remove that one tomorrow also.
The kit also makes pretty loud bubbling noises every now and then (sounds like there is a fish splashing in there! )

Besides the splashing noise there is a pretty constant droning noise when the pump is operating.

Any tips? are my suspicions with the overflow tubing correct?

 

[Siggi]

I also had a union (ball) valve right after the overflow which narrows the pipe down to 25mm. Should I remove it or is this not the problem?

 

[rvitko]

I would use the Tunze drain hose set 1075/2. Also, make sure the drain hose is going into the compartment near the skimmer and not near the return. The water has to flow through all the chambers. The return should be 25mm PVC. We have a kit 1073 which has all the pieces you will need. With at least 1.5m of head no valve should be necessary. The pump noise is likely due to air in the pump, you could eliminate it by opening the pump underwater and removing the impeller assembly to let all the air out before starting it.

 

[Siggi]

Unfortunately the hose set 1075/2 isn't available over here. It takes time to buy it via mailorder and I thought I could easily use something else since the local retailer said it was no problem.

The drain hose is going in the first chamber besides the skimmer, but there is so much air coming with it that the water constantly fizzles (like white foam) and falls over the edge where the return pump pumps it up with all the bubbles The hose also blows large bubbles from time to time resulting in a loud bubbling/splashing sound.

The return is a 25mm PVC flexible tube connected to the small hose that comes with the kit that I put on the pump.


Sounds like the pump noise is because of all the air in the water falling over from the first chamber? should the water there include so much air? I've also tried adjusting the height of the overflow hose in the chamber, but it's all the same.

 

[rvitko]

Just out of curiosity is the return pump brown or black?

 

[Siggi]

If memory servers me correctly it's brown, looks just like the one on top of my 230/3 skimmer. I'll check when I get home, just to be sure.

 

[rvitko]

I am puzzled as the 1200/2 should do no more than 1200l/h and the overflow should handle 900lph with no issues, factoring in at least 1m of head the pump should be perfect. I have to think this is a result of the hose. We use 40mm corrugated hose and an adapter. If your set included the new black pump that could be an issue because it can pump as much as 2700l/h and you would have to turn it down. The new pump has suction cups and the old one clipped to a rail and was brown like the skimmer pumps. I am not sure if they started shipping the new one yet but it could be.

 

[Siggi]

My pump is clipped on to a rail, so it's the old one.

Currently I have the overflow box connected this way:

Box -> 32mm PVC union ball valve -> hose adapter -> Eheim hose with 25mm inner diameter. The ball valve has a reduced inner diameter of 25mm.

I just bought a 40mm hose (outer diameter) and was planning to glueing that to a union adapter straight to the overflow box, but it seems like I have to have a valve inbetween because the non-valve union won't fit the 32mm union I have glued to the box.

So, could the 25mm diameter of the hose be causing this? I hope going with a larger hose will fix this, if not I'll have to send the overflow box to a plastic workshop to try and remove the union I have glued to the box

If you remember, what is the inner diameter of the 1075/2 hose?

 

[rvitko]

It is a very thin corrugated hose- like is used on a vacuum cleaner. I don't know about the union and how that will affect the set up but I think it is just the water going faster through a small drain and won't make a difference.

 

[Siggi]

I'll try the 40mm hose I just bought and see if it will slow the water down, if not I'll order the hose kit

Thanks for all the help, much appreciated

 

[Siggi]

Hi again just one last question.

I've now installed the 40mm hose and it did slow down the water and reduce bubble in the first chamber, but the return is still spewing micro-bubbles into my tank

I'm wondering, would it be possible that the return pump has been installed at an incorrect height? the water level in the return chamber is correct according to the osmolator, but it doesn't even cover the lower bottom of the pump, half of the hose connected to the pump is above water. Is this normal?

 

[rvitko]

All those items are assembled with templates so I can't imagine they were installed wrong but you may need to lower the pump a notch or two on the rail or raise the osmolator sensor a notch or two.

 

[Siggi]

An example of how low it is. I was working in the kit, trying to figure things out and forgot to reconnect the osmolator when I was done. After a few hours of evaporation the water level had lowered somewhat and I heard some noise and saw that the return was blowing a milky white column of air into my tank! I reconnected the osmolator and it ran for around 30 secs. and the bubbles in the return returned to their "normal" state

I checked both the pump and the osmolator optical sensor and it seems like they are fixed. Is this the normal height of both? the water level in the return chamber is around 8-9 cm. (3,5")

 

[rvitko]

You can raise and lower them. There is a tab you will lift out on the holder - pull toward the sensor or pump and then pull up on the holder and it will slide on the rail. It locks into little holes that hold everything in place.

 

[Siggi]

I did not know that and saw no mention of that in any of the manuals. I raised the sensor two notches to make the water cover the hose and outlet of the pump. I hope this will do it

Thank you very much.

 

[rvitko]

Yeah, it is something that is obvious when you have to assemble it but in a ready made filter like that I can see how that would be hard to see.