How to clean a Tunze pump and what to do about a driver alarm.
- Thread starter rvitko
- Start date
Roger, my tunze 6100 started beeping the other day so I turned it off until I had time to try to clean it. I can't seem to get the drive unit/impeller out of the main housing in my 6100 -- it is stuck. I tried soaking it in vinegar, at first overnight then when that didn't do anything, several days and still no change.
I can pull it out a little bit...somewhere between an eight and a quarter of an inch but even that requires more force than it should.
Is there any way to go about repairing this unit? What else could I try to get the drive unit out?
I can pull it out a little bit...somewhere between an eight and a quarter of an inch but even that requires more force than it should.
Is there any way to go about repairing this unit? What else could I try to get the drive unit out?
Well, I didn't wait for your response because I read enough of your other responses to realize you were probably going to say just that... Fortunately for me, it came out with brute force effort and, after one serious cleaning, it is working like a champ again!
In case it proves helpful to anyone as stupid as I was (not cleaning it regularly), I was able to use a very slight circular motion with constant, strong force to work the unit out. There was pretty substantial calcium buildup coating pretty much everything.
Thank goodness for Tunze's built-in protection when the pump can't perform properly...and for this resource on RC -- in particular Roger and all the content and ongoing support you provide to the community!
In case it proves helpful to anyone as stupid as I was (not cleaning it regularly), I was able to use a very slight circular motion with constant, strong force to work the unit out. There was pretty substantial calcium buildup coating pretty much everything.
Thank goodness for Tunze's built-in protection when the pump can't perform properly...and for this resource on RC -- in particular Roger and all the content and ongoing support you provide to the community!
Thanks! I am glad you got it cleaned up. Just be sure that the hole in the center of the magnet and the upper bearing are clean. If these are fouled it can lock up again in just a month or two. These are critical to keeping the motor cool and clean since this is where the water flows into the rotor and bearings.
Yes, I had to use a drill to get that stuff out but I was very careful and it wasn't a problem at all. Everything seems to be working well now. Now that my tank is all back up in the new house I can get my act together and put this type of maintenance back in my calendar so I won't let it go too long again. I'll keep my eyes on the pump too just to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Thanks again Roger, you are the best!
Thanks again Roger, you are the best!
RedEyeReef
Active member
Hi Roger,
What is my next option if I have cleaned the entire inside of the pump and the alarm still goes off? It is a 6200 with the updated propellers you sent me awhile back. There is no calcium anywhere and it still beaps. Can it be something in the electronics?
P.S. love your service and your product.
What is my next option if I have cleaned the entire inside of the pump and the alarm still goes off? It is a 6200 with the updated propellers you sent me awhile back. There is no calcium anywhere and it still beaps. Can it be something in the electronics?
P.S. love your service and your product.
RedEyeReef
Active member
Both 6200 left today with contact info and description.
Thanks.
Scissorhand
New member
My Tunze 6000's driver alarm sounded off yesterday after 9+ months of use.
I took the whole impeller out and soaked in vinegar, cleaned it, re-assembled it and it worked again.
Thank you for the clear instruction.
I'm just glad it was just jammed and wasn't broken due to electronic failure.
I took the whole impeller out and soaked in vinegar, cleaned it, re-assembled it and it worked again.
Thank you for the clear instruction.
I'm just glad it was just jammed and wasn't broken due to electronic failure.
Tunze 6100 Problem.
Tunze 6100 Problem.
Hi Roger
I got a 6100 that is not working anymore, i have cleaned it carefully and its still not working.
The pump is not operating and the driver says a constant beep tone.
I have checked the manual very carefully and checked it all.
As there is 2 years guarantee on this unit my question is now
How we solve this.
Can i send it to Tunze Germany for a repair?
Please confirm ASAP, thanks.
Best rgds.
Benny Pedersen
Denmark
Tunze 6100 Problem.
Hi Roger
I got a 6100 that is not working anymore, i have cleaned it carefully and its still not working.
The pump is not operating and the driver says a constant beep tone.
I have checked the manual very carefully and checked it all.
As there is 2 years guarantee on this unit my question is now
How we solve this.
Can i send it to Tunze Germany for a repair?
Please confirm ASAP, thanks.
Best rgds.
Benny Pedersen
Denmark
radone
New member
Roger,
How do I get the two pieces in pic 5 & 6 out on the first page.
I apparently didn't take them completely apart. Where is that o-ring? I never seen that on mine.
I believe this is the new style 6000's BTW
Do you still have any of the transformers to make the 6000's into 6100's?
How do I get the two pieces in pic 5 & 6 out on the first page.
I apparently didn't take them completely apart. Where is that o-ring? I never seen that on mine.
I believe this is the new style 6000's BTW
Do you still have any of the transformers to make the 6000's into 6100's?
I am out of the transformers but we are just waiting to get more in, they are still available, Reef Exotics, Aquarium Specialty or Premium Aquatics may have them.
Removing those parts is shown in the manual, the oring is underneath the upper bearing. The manual suggests using a large screw but I prefer to use a pick, both Lowes and Sears sell a set of 4 picks for about $10 and the one with the j shaped end like a dental pick works very well for pulling this part out of the pump.
Removing those parts is shown in the manual, the oring is underneath the upper bearing. The manual suggests using a large screw but I prefer to use a pick, both Lowes and Sears sell a set of 4 picks for about $10 and the one with the j shaped end like a dental pick works very well for pulling this part out of the pump.
fish_who?
Member
I have a wavebox that stopped working today. The lights on the controller kept flashing as if it were working, but the pump was not. I took the pump apart as you described and soaked it in vinegar and the pump works great now, but the controller does not seem to be working.
If I plug in the control module (either master or slave) it shuts the pump off, but the controller keeps flashing as if it were working. I think it may be a problem with the control module a week ago the light sensor stopped working too. Any tips on what I can do?
If I plug in the control module (either master or slave) it shuts the pump off, but the controller keeps flashing as if it were working. I think it may be a problem with the control module a week ago the light sensor stopped working too. Any tips on what I can do?
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