Tunze 9005 In Wet/dry Filter

Banania

New member
I installed a new Tunze 9005 into a ProClear Wet Dry filter sump yesterday. It is not skimming at all. I wonder if I have it set up incorrectly or does it just need a few days to break in.

The skimmer is replacing a Remora HOB which had been skimming very well. Also I now only have 2 fish in my 90 gallon tank as a recent disease outbreak knocked out the other 3.

I see that in the manual there is this additional tube that is used in the outlet. Do I need this?

I've uploaded some pics in my gallery

Appreciate any advice.
 
Without the optional sump kit the water needs to be all the way up to the line on the front of the skimmer. It is running way to low and the pump is not even submerged at the depth you have shown in the photo. It must be a minimum of 4" submerged even with the 9005.40 kit.
 
I finally got the 9005.40 kit and have been running it now for 4 days w/ still no skimmate. I know there's a break-in period, but usually how long does it take?
 
Is water exiting the stand pipe and the hole in the back? Do you see air bubbles being generated in the skimmer?
 
No water is exiting the stand pipe. I can see air bubbles when I look down into the skimmer, removing the collection cup, but it is not foamy; just some bubbling. I've tried loosening and tightening the blue valve, also.

I uploaded another pic just to make sure that I have it set up correctly.

The skimmer is placed in the sump, the water going through a prefilter & wet/dry bio ball compartment, before reaching the compartment w/ the skimmer. Also I only have 2 small fish in the tank which is 90 gallons. But before I set up the sump I was using a HOB skimmer which was producing considerable skimmate.
 
Water must exit the pipe for the skimmer to work, did you install the full set- pipe, new bottom tray and the coupler between the intake and the pump? The most common cause of this if everything is installed is that the bottom tray is not completely closed. If it is open even a couple mm water drains from the bottom and the skimmer will not fill the skimmer, it cannot work if the water is not internally at the correct level.
 
Ok. I followed your tips. I think I had the bottom tray in the wrong way. I turned it around, and re-tightened all the other parts. I put it back into the sump and water immediately started exiting from the top of the pipe. Hopefully it will start producing some skimmate soon.
Much thanks.
 
Hi Roger, It's been 4 days now since I readjusted the skimmer and still no skimming. I've tried to turn the valve at different settings. What do you recommend I have the valve at? Opened, closed or midway?

I'm starting to get algae problems in my tank w/out any skimming.
 
You make the adjustments by the number of turns of the screw, You should tighten it until it is closed, it will get very snug and few bubbles will come up and you cannot twist further by hand, note that some threads may still be visible. Then back it out 4 full turns. Start at this point, then back it out or turn it in as needed, adjustments should be done in 1/4 turn increments with at a minimum 6hrs between adjustments, I prefer to do just 1/4 turn per day. If no skimming has occured back it out, if skimmate is watery, close it in. Last week I got two skimmers back for review and they both worked properly in my tests- I got skimmate production within one hour. Something both had in common was heavy amounts of suspended debris caked in the skimmer. Keep in mind that a lot of sediment will interfere with skimming. This can be a big factor in a new tank, they also had minor issues with how they were assembled but sediment was the one common issue.
 
Unfortunately for me, 18 days of running and it is still not skimming. I had to put back on my HOB skimmer for the sake of my livestock and have been running both the 9005 in the sump and the HOB. Somedays I have shut down the HOB and let the Tunze run on its own. There is definitely plenty to skim in my tank. The blue sponge on the output tube has collected waste/debris and my HOB picks up lots of junk.

Roger, I looked into the skimmer and rinsed it a few times to make sure there was no debris or sand in it, caked in, as you said. There was none and it's quite clean.

When I look down into the tower there are only some microbubbles sparkling. This has not changed since it's been running.
 
Can you send it in? I will run it, make sure it works and return it exactly as I had it assembled in my test. I suspect something is assembled wrong.
 
Sure. That'd be great. What address should I send it to? Should I include the 9005.40 kit?
Thanks for your help, Roger.
 
Yes, if you are using the kit please include it. Just be sure everything is well packed these skimmers are easily broken in shipping, especially the cup if packed poorly.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin TX 78753
 
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