Tunze 9010-new set up in sump, nothing in cup???

[kayaaandjaden]

Hi, we just plugged in our 9010. We have it set up in our sump. It is a double chambered sump, so we have the water from our overflow draining into one chamber.....the water then goes through a spong filter and into the second chamber. This is where the skimmer and the return pump are located.
We did a water change at the same time we hooked everything up. Right now the water level is a little higher than normal, but still within range for the skimmer.
There is no foam in the cup. How do we tell if it is working?
The manual said it was "normal" not to see for for even three days, We are just worried we may have done something wrong with no way to make sure we have everything set up right, including the amount to have the air valve set at.
Nothing happens in the cup no matter how much we adjust the screw.
Should we worry, what should we do at this point?
If the screw valve is open too much could it cause a problem over night if not checked?

-k

 

[rvitko]

Is water exiting the pipe? Do you see any water/ air mix down in the skimmer with the cup removed. The screw should be open three turns. I would give it some time, it will take a few days.

 

[kayaaandjaden]

No, The water in the output pipe is about a 1/4 inch from the top.
When I take the skimmer cup off and look inside, there is water inside the unit, but nothing seems to be happening. ???
The skimmer is sitting in approx. 28 centimeters/11 inches of water in that chamber. Thats actually much higher than we normally keep it.

 

[rvitko]

It is not installed properly, possibly the venturi is not connected and the bottom plate has likely slipped or is on backwards, you have to use the plate with the suction cup feet and the plate should have the beveled edge facing the front. The pump intake needs to have the coupler installed between the intake grate and the pump inlet and the outlet of the pump must have the airline nipple firmly inserted in the venturi, the end of the nozzle should be installed in the jet pipe. The water level sounds a bit high.

 

[kayaaandjaden]

Are we supposed to have a hydrofoamer with the 9010?

 

[rvitko]

Yes, it is the pump inside the skimmer.

 

[kayaaandjaden]

First what is a venturi?
This is on correctly...."suction cup feet and the plate should have the beveled edge facing the front"
coupler
airline nipple
venturi
jet pipe
I have absolutley no idea what those things are. My husband isn't home, and I am not sure how much help that would be anyways.
We followed the directions in the manual for the "operation in cabinet "
But it said to operate the hydrofoamer( on page 37), and there is no hydrofoamer?

 

[kayaaandjaden]

Ok, so the hydrofoamer is not something located outside the skimmer as it looks in the photos in the manual?

 

[kayaaandjaden]

Roger PM sent

 

[rvitko]

I do not think I can be any more help over the phone than I have been here, without being there in person the challenge remains the same, perhaps a local hobbyist could help you assemble the skimmer we have a dealer near Tampa and one near Miami. Just take your time and follow the photos I have shown in this thread. The pump (Hydrofoamer) goes inside the skimmer, It is shown seperately only to illustrate the parts included with the skimmer. The venturi is the nozzle at the end of the pump.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...29&perpage=25&highlight=9010 DOC&pagenumber=2

 

[kayaaandjaden]

Roger
Tampa is 4 hours from my house and Miami is 9-10 hours
I will check out the photos, but my OB has re-scheduled my delivery for tomorrow morning, and I am not sure when I will be able to really work on getting the thing running. As we will have a new baby in the house Saturday.
After spending an hour trying to get the skimmer to work, I went to my weekly OB appt. MY blood pressure was through the roof, so he bumped up my delivery to tomorrow...go figure.
Unfortunatly, I don't know any local hobbists, our LFS is Petland and I think they know less than I do, the only other store is one that has been here sincethe 70-'s and they are against all modernization.
I will post as soon as I can get back to it, thanks.

 

[rvitko]

Best wishes!

 

[kayaaandjaden]

Roger,
Yes, Now, there is air/water mixing around in the skimmer below the cup. But, there is still no water coming out of the overflow pipe(that is the one with the blue sponge correct?) If so, there is water -IN- it, but not flowing out of it.
-kaya

 

[rvitko]

Hi kaya,

OK, only 2 things can cause that, the bottom plate is loose, I know you checked it before but it can move when you position it. The beveled edge needs to face the front and it needs to be pushed all the way in. The only other cause is a bad fit of the intake coupler that goes between the intake on the front and the pump. If this is loose not enough pressure builds up. It sounds like you are very close to having i working but water is leaking out somewhere it shouldn't be. Water should only exit the pipe and the hole in the back of the skimmer. Once you fix that it should skim and I listed the only two causes I can think of.

 

[rvitko]

Check also that the bottom plate is not bulged down and the suction cup feet are being used. It is important that the weight of the skimmer be on the plate to push it into position.