Tunze 9004 making popping sounds

[rbby228]

I've been having issues with my tunze 9004 recently it's been starting to make a loud popping and sucking sound. I have my air wide open and the baffles are partially submerged to allow water into the skimmer. However I have no idea why it's making this sound. Any ideas?

 

[rvitko]

Either the intake cover that the air hose is attached to on the pump is not attached to the pump and is popping around inside. Or, it is submerged too deep, at most half of the front intake should be submerged. Or, possibly the impeller is worn or damaged.

 

[rvitko]

It can also be that the nipple the air hose attached to on the impeller cover is obstructed by salt creep.

 

[rbby228]

Thank you for your response. I took apart my protein skimmer and although the hose was attached I have reason to believe that it was either kinked or not fully seated properly. Now the skimmer isn't making any noise however I would like to replace the tubing. Can I use normal airline tubing?

 

[rvitko]

It would fit, but I would advise against it, we use silicon tubing because it does not harden and crack over time and is slightly wider and much more flexible.