Tuning in a used 9004

[degibson84]

Recently bought a 9004 used and trying to get it tuned in on a brand new setup.

I know it can be hard to time on a new tank but trying to get it all dialed in


I have the water level just slightly under the osmolator line and I believe the air screw is all the way opened. It is skimming very wet and filling the cup within a few hours.

Should I just try and close the air line slightly?

 

[rvitko]

Yes, but not much and this could be normal for a new tank depending on any suspended sand, use of dechlorinator, etc. I would not close the air more than a couple turns.

 

[degibson84]

I turned it a 1/4 turn last night. Just got home from work and it's filled with almost clear liquid.

I have some experience with my 9410 just wanted to make sure I was adjusting it the right way.

 

[rvitko]

I would dispose of the liquid, possibly give it another 1/4 turn, with the break in of a new tank skimming some clear liquid is to be expected for a while.

 

[degibson84]

So this skimmer has skimmed nothing but clear liquid for months. Tomorrow I leave for vacation but the last few days it has been making a terrible popping sound. When I take the collection cup off the noise goes away. As soon as I stick the collection cup on it starts this popping sound again. What in the world could it be. Need to get this figured out ASAP. fearful of losing everything in the tank with no skimmer while I'm gone

 

[rvitko]

Have you tried raising it? Are you sure the cover over the impeller with the air hose attached is not clogged by salt creep in the air intake nipple and is securely attached to the pump? Is anything obstructing the hole where it is marked Osmolator Level? This is a critical drain hole for water to exit.

 

[degibson84]

I will check when I get home but the way my sump is setup it's very hard to see. I was thinking about taking it out and cleanin it and reassembling and hoping that worked.

 

[rvitko]

I would do that, the only way you can check the impeller cover is if it is disassembled and the pump is out.

 

[degibson84]

Is there anyway to get the pump apart to clean it? It looks like the air intake is clogged but I would like to clean the impeller. Don't see away to get it apart

 

[rvitko]

The impeller cover pulls off and the impeller then pulls out. If you don't have the manual you can download it on Tunze.com, the last half dozen pages are just pump disassembly and service.

 

[degibson84]

It looked to be attached so I just soaked it in hot water and vinegar then took a toothpick to get the salt creep/calcium out of the intake.

After that I let it run in the water and vinegar put it all back together and it works great. Maybe now it will skim better since it should be getting proper air

 

[rvitko]

Likely it will, as the air flow drops the water flow increases.

 

[degibson84]

Is it normal for the air intake to get clogged with salt creep every mo the to two months?

 

[rvitko]

Yes and no.

Yes in the sense that it will clog and can clog that fast, however, if it is clogging that fast the silencer intake is too close to a source of moist salt air or the skimmer is frequently running with too deep of a submersion, we would expect 4-6 months in most cases. Make sure the silencer is not under a canopy, use the small piece of velcro to secure it behind the tank and the water level is correct.

 

[degibson84]

I think what happened was last time I didn't soak it long enough in vinegar and was t able to get the pump apart so it wasn't completely cleared of salt/calcium buildup. This time I was able to get it completely torn apart and soak over night and got all of the calcium out of the intake.

 

[rvitko]

That would also be a probable cause.