Tunze 9002 in BC29

[wa1tx]

Installed this with a media basket a couple weeks ago. I am also using the intank cup for the Tunze. I am getting nothing out of it in the way of skimate. I read the forums and watched the install video from InTank. Think I installed it according to the videos. Tried opening air adjustment all the way up and still get nothing. I personally think it is not sitting low enough, but i have it as low as I can get it without having the collection cup catching on the media basket and being catty wompus. I brought and keep water level up in 2nd chamber as much as it will hold.

Anyone have any words of wisdom or pearls of knowledge that may assist me? Thanks in advance.

 

[aquaenthusiast]

bump

 

[Aquadepot]

It may not be lower enough, can you test the skimmer directly in the aquarium at a lower level?

Graeme

 

[rvitko]

At a minimum 7" of the skimmer must be submerged and this is really the minimum and air flow must be completely open to compensate. The ideal is that 8-8.5" are submerged. Can you update us on how deep it is submerged, if that is not it, I suspect the air line is pinched or kinked.

 

[wa1tx]

It is submerged to the wave line on the side. After spending several hours on it this weekend I am extremely frustrated. It should not be this hard according to the videos. I am unable to get the top or bottom to stay on. To submerge to the wavy line it is too low for the media basket and the collection cup sits at angle....

 

[Aquadepot]

Have you tested the skimmer alone in the aquarium, at the water level Roger suggested?
also check the hose is not kinked or needs adjustment to position internally this can cause the top to not fit correctly.

Graeme

 

[wa1tx]

I adjusted the water flow to match the wavy line on the skimmer. I do not believe the airline is kinked as I am getting bubbles. I am not sure I can put the skimmer alone in the tank since it is a BC29 with a hood and based on the tanks location I have to run with the hood. I am going to watch it for a few days and go from there I guess.

 

[jackaninny]

I have my 9002 at a level where the Intank collection cup sits just barely above the edge of the Intank media basket. When I first got it and was messing around I would plug it in and let it run for 10 minutes with the valve shut completely and then adjust about a 1/4 turn every 10-15 minutes until I start seeing foam building in the column. I let it run for a day and then check and adjust from that point. I do believe there is a break in period of 1-2 weeks before it runs reliably. I have the wall between the 1st and 2nd chambers in the BC29 cut to increase flow and I keep the water level right above the indicator window in the 3rd chamber. Only problem I've had was the pump quite in the 9002 but a quick cleaning fixed it although I've got a squeal at lower air volumes.

Best of luck.

 

[rvitko]

If the top pops off, you most likely have a kinked airline, the airline is the main thing securing the lid, you need to pull it down from the bottom, as is, there is slack in the top chamber of the skimmer that is kinking when you close the top lid and this is what is pushing the top lid off, when kinked you will get some air, but not enough.

The bottom should clip in securely, you might have a cord or something in the way. You might also try gently flexing out the locking tabs to make them engage stronger.

 

[wa1tx]

I will look at it this weekend. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[rvitko]

I am in Austin, North Austin off Braker near IH35, so I am happy to take a look if you can't find the problem.

 

[wa1tx]

I took everything apart his weekend. the airline is not kinked. I was able to get the bottom to stay on by gently bending the the clips out. I am going to let it run for a week or so and if i get nothing I guess i will put it on Ebay.

 

[rvitko]

As I said, I am not far away and happy to repair it if you bring it by. They are not a very complicated skimmer and the solution is usually very simple. If the top is popping off, you definitely have a kink but it is in the upper chamber that is only visible by removing the top, the solution is to pull the airline from the bottom until it is taught.