new (used) 9015 set up break in

They have the same part number, without seeing them both it is virtually impossible as there is only a 1.7mm difference. The bigger one has rounded tips the smaller one has flat tips as it is cut on a lathe. The smaller one is the norm now for the US.
 
I have been reading through this thread and seem to be experiencing similar issues. I purchased a 9015 new about 2 months ago, and have yet to pull greater than 100ml at a time in a weeks use. I am running 75 gallon with 30 gallon sump. I get really dry production in the neck but it doesn’t amount to more than 100ml in the collection cup over the course of a weeks time, I am running it with the air screw open about 3-4 turns per the directions (it took about 5 days break in with the air screw fully opened before it produced any foam). This doesnt seem like alot of skim, I was pulling more skim out with my Aquac Remora. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do. I have a pretty heavily stocked tank, feed twice a day and have been developing some algae issues since I "upgraded" the skimmer. I currently do 25% water changes weekly. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Don't know if I can help, maybe Roger can.
My solution was to order a new skimmer. It's scheduled for delivery tomorrow.
Shame, this one was quiet as can be and the guy I bought from had good luck with it. I also know a guy in my local club who LOVED his tunze, but this one just isn't pulling gunk for me.
 
I remember there was a thread about doing a "mesh" mod to these. From what I remember it did seem to help people get better performance. People in the thread were saying that the normal reason for doing a mesh mod would not provide any benefit to these skimmers, as they are not needlewheel, and the air will not realize any additional "chopping". However someone did make mention that maybe having the mod was helping pull in more water...It could be similar to the reason why the bigger impeller is working better. When I did it, I did not do it correctly so my results were worse. I was getting binding on the impeller to the pump body.

After the last time this post was alive, I did try the 9015 cup and still had lack luster results. I was thinking about redoing the mod, correctly this time, to see if this would happen.

Dmorel, I am not sure if you meant a completely different make/model or a new one of the same. I have also thought that I may have made the wrong decision, but was thinking of trying to borrow a different skimmer to try and compare this to something else. I know this worked better than my old HOB skimmer, but that is not much of a comparison.
 
completely different make and model.
According to UPS it's out for delivery this morning, I'm psyched (ground shipped from NY, been waiting a week!) .
 
Roger, I can tell you that by the description, it seems like I may have the defective nozzle, the hose seems to come out of the nozzle hose pretty easy...By easy I mean that there is a very little bit of resistance, but not a lot.
The other thing I have also had happen is that the bottom plate that has the feet, does not "Snap" into place. Is this expected?

BTW, are these items that are covered under the warranty? I placed the order for my skmimer on 8/17/07.
 
The bottom plate doesn't really snap it, it just has to be slid in all the way but there is no notable snap or click when it is in all the way.

I can certainly send a nozzle, I just need your address.
 
Roger: I am having a similar problem in that with the air screw all the way open, I am barely getting any skim at all through the foam extractors on my 9020. I am quite familiar with the unit (having cleaned in many times and reading a many posts) and the venturi, the standpipe, and the bottom plate are are installed properly per your instructions. I would like to try two of the larger impellers if possible. Please let me know. Thank you. A side question: will pluggin the holes on the back "where the water shoots out" aid performance (and yes, mine is in sump)? Thanks again!
 
Plugging the hole backs up water into the nozzle and will usually stop or reduce the skimming. I suspect it is more likely to be the venturi nozzles, I don't have the bigger impellers anymore, we switched to the smaller size permanently to help with start up. The airline nipple should insert into the nozzle so tight that you can lift the pump by the airline and it should insert straight and stop about half way in. If it is not this tight or if it goes in at an angle, water will seep in and reduce airflow.
 
I re-cleaned mine this weekend and noticed that I hadnt been pushing the plate all the way in good where it fits snug over the pump input and was wondering why my standpipe would come out rather easy. After correcting that, I've pulled right at 350ml of dark brown gunk in 4 days with a 9010 on a 120.

FWIW, I have the hole plugged on the 9010 in sump and it doesnt seem to affect either way.
 
How much of an effect plugging the hole has depends largely on water level, if the water level is lower it has no impact. The water that exits this hole is essentially the gasket for the cup, the weight of the water forces the lighter air water mix up the cup and the hole assures that the water level is backed up to the correct height. With a lower water level- say 4-7" the water can escape through the internal of the skimmer.
 
Roger: thanks for the reply. The nipples insert firmly into the nozzles. However, each airline itself is quite loose when inserted into the nipple. They fall off with a slight tug. Could this be a culprit for low performance? I was thinking about slippinh a few small O-rings over the airline to tighten the securement to the nipple better. Your thoughts, as always, are appreciated.
 
I don't think water could seep in at that point. You could cut the end off the airline to new line and that should help.
 
Don't mean to hijack, but I have the same problem where the 9015 skimmer just doesn't do much. I live in Canada and originally had the bad venturi...but it was eventually replaced.
The skimmer is sitting in my sump and the water level on the skimmer is about 1/2" below the blue water line. My tank is a 70G with 30G sump and I've tried everything I've ever seen on this forum to fix the fact that I can't pull more than a 100ml in 7-10 days...then it just stops pulling anything and the volume never goes up. I feed pretty heavily and just don't know what else to do. Any suggestions from anyone would be appreciated.
 
I take it water exits the blue pipe, the sponge is below the top of the pipe and you have checked the impeller housing photos I linked to at the top of this thread?
 
Yup, I've also checked that the pipe isn't too far in, the hose holds correctly, the pump is clean, there are no kinks, the water is calm and anything else I've found on the Tunze vendor site here.

I feed too heavily probably and my old prizm was pulling more skim out.

I plan on moving up to a 200+ Gal tank soon and my plan was for this skimmer to work in my old system and then in my new...now I'm at a loss.

Any suggestions and I will try it!
 
I am willing to look at it if you pay shipping both ways, maybe your local store can test it against one of theirs, typically what you describe is the cumulative result of a few minor problems, a couple minor assembly issues and a couple minor defects so it is very hard to figure out without having the skimmer to play with.
 
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