Tunze 9002 skimmer not working

randt122

Member
The tunze 9002 skimmer is not producing any foams at all. The pump is pushing the water and I dont see ne foams forming at all. The water level is at where it should be and the skimmer is broken in. From what I can tell, the pump isnt pushing the water high enough. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
 
looks like it's pushing way too much water, and not enough air. Shouldn't be that turbulent at all.

Just to run through the basics-

the pump is oriented the right way in the skimmer?

there's no clog on the skimmer inlet?

the air hose isn't crimped or inhibited in any way?

Play with the air adjustement valve?


The water level is just fine, you don't want a higher water level, you want a foam build up to get the skimmate into the collection cup.
 
The pump is fine as well as the hose. Im not getting bubbles/foam build up at all. Already tried using the skimmer on anither tank with no luck.
 
You have the pump in backwards and it looks like the venturi is disconnected. The pump goes in so the cord wraps over it and comes out the end with the magnet holder, the venturi attaches to the output of the pump and inserts through a hole in the skimmer body and is aimed at the dome shaped piece inside the skimmer, not at the cup. The video shows that the pump output is definitely shooting right into the cup.
 
The pump is fine as well as the hose. Im not getting bubbles/foam build up at all. Already tried using the skimmer on anither tank with no luck.

If you're not getting bubbles/foam, something's not right with the hose, maybe a blockage, the set screw is fully closed, something.
 
I just got one of these too same problem no bubbles at all unless I blow into the tube .There is no obstruction in the air line and the pump is in the right way .I even removed the pump with venturi and air hose and ran it to see if maybe something is kinking when assembled but still no bubbles . This is a brand new unit I hate it already and cant believe how cheap the construction is I just hope it works like people say it does.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
 
I just purchased one and had the same issues. Called Roger and he said they had a batch of bad parts that he has been dealing with. He sent me a replacement part and all seems good.
 
I got the new venturi its been running a week it broke in but barely makes any skimmate I hate this thing so far Ive been playing with the adjustment every couple of days I either get clear skimmate or no skimmate
 
Make very small adjustments and wait a day between adjustments, the foam is produced in a similar manner to a meringue, it takes time for the air bubbles to froth the protein and for it to rise, when you are very close to the right setting adjustments should be in increments of 1/4-1/8 turn per day. Also be sure the water level is fairly constant at about 1/2" below the marked water level.
 
i am making 1/8 th adjustments the water level is constant all day with my ato i keep the level of the water exactly on the line of the tunze should I lower the level ?
 
The marked line should be regarded as the maximum, at or above this line you will generally get a coffee maker noise which is water being sucked into the air intake, this reduces the air flow and makes adjustment more difficult, the optimum is for 3/4-1/4" below this marked line.
 
still getting clear skimmate or nothing at all .I have an old sapphire aquatics skimmer that has a crappy old mesh wheel pump that looks like the mesh is falling apart and it makes nice dark skimmate running in the same system . Maybe there is something wrong with this tunze? The bubbles in it are kind of big not a nice fine frothy mix like the sapphire aquatics skimmer .
 
A needle or mesh wheel will make a much smaller bubble. Is the skimmate completely clear or tea colored or light green? Have you tired getting to where it is clear and just closing a 1/8 or quarter turn?
 
i have gotten very light tea closer to clear looking skimmate turned the screw 1/8 and then dont get anything .Isnt the smaller bubble better for producing skimmate? If so is there a mesh wheel for these skimmers .I hate to sell this skimmer at half the price I paid for it and keep the sapphire aquatics one that is currently producing dark skimmate in the same sump chamber (about 1 ounce every couple days ). The water level is 3/4 of an inch bellow the water line on the tunze
I really appreciate you trying to help
 
Regarding the bubbles, yes a smaller bubble is more effective, but this requires a different skimmer design altogether, for this compact design the venturi is the only way. It sounds like there is an issue with the air adjustment, the screw hole is threaded by hand, and if it is cross threaded or stripped the air flow cannot be adjusted as finely as may be needed. PM me your info again and we will send a replacement top lid. I think once you have it tuned in, you will be happy with this skimmer.
 
that may be the case I am used to working on delicate parts like motorcycle carburetors and can assure you I didnt cross thread it but I did find it peculiar that when I close the screw all the way it still makes bubbles in the skimmer that tells me air is still getting in there though it reduces a significant amount .I did just check the screw and it spins with no resistance also a visual check on the screw shows no sign of cross threading.
Thank you for the excellent customer support I hope this does it I pmed you my address
 
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