Tunze 9002 Cup filling with Water!

[Thoro]

I bought a Tunze 9002 Nano skimmer and the Cup keeps filling with water rather quickly.

I've adjusted the waterline right on the line, 1/2" below and even an inch below still the same thing happens. I've adjusted the air intake screw to fully open and fully closed and every where in between still the same thing cup fills with water.

I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or if I got a faulty unit or if this is part of the breakin cause I've never had this problem with other skimmers.

Any help would be great thanks!

 

[D.C. Reefer85]

I dont know how much help i can be as i am not an expert by any means, but i just got the skimmer for christmas and had the same problem. As im sure you are, i was very concerned and read some other posts on here that said it just had to break in - thankfully that was the case.

Mine would overflow within 2 minutes - so this is what i did. Thighten the blue screw all the way, tighten it by hand as far down as you can and that should keep it manageable. If it is still overflowing, you can pull the collection cup part way out for the first few days of the break in.

Next, make the water level a half an inch below the water line shown on the side of the skimmer.

and finally, but most importantly, be patient. Ive had mine on for about 5 days and its not overflowing and no more micro bubbles. I think it takes a couple weeks so dont freak out like i did, it will work. Mine is not pulling out thick dry foam but it is pulling out smelly tea with organic particles in it.

 

[rvitko]

Give it a couple weeks as D.C. Reefer85 said, if the problem doesn't work itself out in 2 weeks let me know and we will get you fixed up, it is possible the air adjustment doesn't work properly and this is a fairly simple part to replace. Most likely though it is just an issue with the way new plastic repels water and pushes water up into the cup. The skimmate will be more of a tea color when it is properly set and usually the proper adjustment is somewhere between 3-4 turns open with the water line 1/2" above the actual water level. Make any adjustments in 1/8 turn increments per day.

 

[Colione]

I just got the 9002 as well.

But my problem is the exact opposite!

Nothing is getting into the cup, and I have the screw all the way open! Half an inch down from the water line. My crappy jbj was pulling skimmate, but this one isn't get at all.

It's odd. Two things are happening in my mind.

1. It is being broken in.
2. The top lid isn't secure. Sometimes I notice little bubbles / air is escaping. Not sure how this would affect the pressure to make the bubbles rise into the skimmate, but it might have something to do with it.

Any ideas?

 

[Opus123]

I bought my 9002 used and my collection cup would fill up in a matter of minutes. I ended up putting a small piece of paper in the screw hole and then put the screw in. Not the best solution but it worked and I could adjust the air flow better. Once I found the tunze forum I emailed Roger and he sent me a new blue screw and it solved the problem.

Colione, have you taken it apart and made sure the airline isn't getting kinked? Also, if the top is coming off I've found it is best to pull the airline from the bottom of the skimmer until the top lid is tightly in place. If you pull up on the lid the slack that is now in the airline tubing will cause the top lid to not be secure. Once functioning properly the 9002 is a great skimmer.

 

[rvitko]

Colione,

What you describe sounds like the airline is kinked and pushing the top lid off. Just pull the airline down from inside to remove any slack between the top baffle and lid.

 

[Thoro]

I now have the blue screw all the way closed and its still over filling the cup within minutes.

The waterline now is a full inch below the factory line and its still overfilling within minutes I wonder if I try 2 inches if it would still do the same thing lol.

I have had my 9002 skimmer going for about 2 weeks which is why I'm getting nervous I need this thing to work I have been doing weekly water changes because I dont have a working skimmer at the moment.

I dont know I guess I expected this thing to be working by now its been just about 2 weeks and no matter what I do to adjust it, it does the same thing.

 

[rvitko]

Based on what you describe the top plate has an oversize thread for the screw so air is passing by and the regulation doesn't work. PM me your name and address and we will send a new top plate.

 

[GaryR1984]

My Tunze 9002 is PERFECT.

 

[MikePowell]

On the note of this issue, I seem to be having a problem with keeping the water level consistant. I have a 14g BC and I top off two times a day, Once in the morning and once at night but the level in the foam chamber raises and lowers. somedays I'll get nice foam going and other light tea. There is alot of build up of sludge on the collection cup walls so I know it's working but a pain to keep on adjusting it!

Also when should I clean the cup and when I do should I wipe the whole thing clean or what?

Please LMK the correct proccess for maintainence and cleaning.

 

[rvitko]

The best thing to do would be to get some sort of auto top off system.

Use the brush that came with the skimmer and warm running water and clean the cup at least once per week. Every 6 months take the skimmer apart and clean the pump and housing in 50/50 vinegar and water.

 

[MikePowell]

Do I also scrub the neck of the collection cup or just the actual cup part.

 

[rvitko]

Yes, you have to clean the neck, the entire removable portion should be clean.

 

[MikePowell]

Thanks!!!

 

[Thoro]

I got my new top plate the screw seems to have a way tighter fit. I havent tried the skimmer yet, but I really think that the problem will be solved now.

I hope I didnt speak to soon about it working but my instincts tell me this was definitly the problem.

Roger you da man!

I highly recommend Tunze for their Customer Service alone.