tunze 9012 help, no foam after unplugging.

[Jcdc]

Hello, I purchased a new 9012 skimmer two monts ago, and I am having a weird issue... If i unplug the unit, the unit will stop foaming (0 foam) , I just hear the sound of the pump working.

After looking for a solution on different forums ( I checked that the pump was not backwards, checked that the airline was not clogged or blocked) I found a forum mentioning that they had to blow air in the airline in some older tunze skimmer models in order to work after unplugging... And guess what, I took off the air silencer, blew air on the tube, and it starter working!! Now, whenever I unplugged the unit, I have to blow air into it in order for it to foam again.

I double checked the airline to make sure it was not kinked or blocked, any help or advice for a permanent solutions is much appreciated! this started happening 30 days after purchasing, so I cannot exchange the unit ;( thank you

 

[rvitko]

This will be an impeller issue. I suspect the following.

You may have noticed that most non controllable pumps that have a ferrite drive magnet have free play between the magnet and impeller/propeller/needlewheel, if you hold the magnet with one hand you can turn the impeller about 270 degrees with the other. This is critical as this type of motor needs to get the magnet moving before the drag of the prop/impeller/NW is added. Calcium, salt and debris can lock these pieces or at least make them stiffer. By blowing in air you are basically letting the needle wheel start in air which has much less drag than water so it can start. I suspect if you take it apart you will find the needle wheel is stiff to the magnet, working it back and worth and soaking it in vinegar and warm water will dissolve or free up what ever has caused this.

If this is not the case, the needle wheel assembly is damaged in some way which would be visible.

 

[Jcdc]

Thank you! I take apart the skimmer this weekend and do as advice, I hope it works, I'll let you know, thanks again!!

 

[Jcdc]

I
I took apart the skimmer and did as adviced and no luck , I still have the same problem ( no bubbles until I blow on the air line ) please help me out with any other tips, do you thing my unit is defective? I also checked the impeller and everything seems ok from the outside. Your help and support is appreciated.

 

[rvitko]

If the impeller has no visible breakage the issue will be that it has no free play between the magnet and needle wheel, work it back and forth after soaking it in vinegar for a couple hours (hold the magnet in one hand, work the needle wheel back and forth to loosen any deposits preventing it from moving about 270 degrees stop to stop)

 

[Jcdc]

I soaked it in warm water with vinegar for a couple of hours, then I moved the needle wheel per your instructions, and it still does not foam if I don't blow air. Thanks again for your help

 

[rvitko]

To consolidate your two threads:

I am the US contact person, the 9012 would have come with a Warranty brochure and all of our contact info is on the cover.

I have never had any pump issues with the 9012 besides impellers or a blockage of the airline, specifically the orifice in the cover over the impeller becoming plugged by salt creep. I would check the orifice and tubing, this could be restricted so the full air draw is not possible. A more remote possibility is that on the bottom of the pump their is a rectangular plate that says Tunze, it is about 2.5" long and 1/2" wide, if this has come loose and is missing the suction would be reduced as it can then draw water through that circuit. On older pumps this was solid, on newer pumps it is drilled as this reduces escaping bubbles. If the plate and air intake check out, we can be 99% sure a new impeller would solve the problem.

 

[Jcdc]

Ok, I will take the skimmer apart on the weekend and check everything you mentioned once again with fresh eyes - Hopefully I'll get this solved - if I still have issues, should I contact you for a replacement impeller? Thanks again for you time and support -.

Ps do you want me to send you some pictures when I take the unit apart? Maybe you see something that I'm not seeing.

 

[rvitko]

Pictures are always helpful and yes, please contact me about any spare parts or repair.

 

[Jcdc]

We'll do, thank you.

 

[Jcdc]

Hello rvitko, the skimmer is still not foaming without me blowing air into the hose. I took apart the skimmer and soaked the impeller and pump in vinegar and warm water for a couple of hours, I also made sure the airline was not kinked or blocked. I took a good look at the plate on the pump and it's not loose.

At this point, I think that either the impeller is faulty, or something is going on with the initial suction of the pump, because once I blow air into the hose, the skimmer is working good and producing good foam.

What will be the procedure to ask tunze for an impeller or motor replacement? The problem I have is this is my only skimmer, and I cannot send the parts to the factory and wait for a replacement ( without buying another skimmer in the meantime). Your advice is much appreciated .

Thanks again for you help.

 

[Jcdc]

I'll post some pictures tonight

 

[Jcdc]

I'll post some pictures tonight

 

[Jcdc]

 

[Jcdc]

 

[rvitko]

Are the photos before cleaning it? The impeller should have zero white scale on it, a soak in vinegar will remove all of that. Their should be nothing but black inside the well the impeller sits in as well except for the bushing at the base of the shaft is blue.

I have a definitive answer between the photos and a discussion with Mr Tunze this morning. Everything in your photos checks out, except the impeller being fouled with lime scale. The impeller is riding too high. If the space between the air intake and needles is off by much, it cannot start the suction to draw in air. If cleaning the pump and impeller and a firm push does not solve it, then a new impeller will.

While I can send a small part like an impeller, repairs do usually require a product to be sent in. I would not consider a skimmer critical and as a hobbyist you will need to have basic back ups for equipment. 2 weeks without a skimmer is only an issue if you are adding live stock and over feeding, if the tank is managed during this time and small weekly water changes done, you can run without a skimmer, but I strongly suggest having a backup pump for flow and backups for temperature (heater, fans etc) if your chiller or heater goes out. I mention this because every manufacturer is going to want the product back for repair or replacement before a new one is sent, in the end, it is your responsibility to have the knowledge and basic spares to get through.

You are in contact with me, I send all spare parts and handle all repairs, your warranty manual gives all of my contact info and the full warranty policy. You would need to email me a copy of the receipt and I can send a new impeller. I would first get everything clean and try giving the impeller a firm push into the pump to be sure the bushing is all the way down and it is not riding too high.

 

[Jcdc]

Are the photos before cleaning it? The impeller should have zero white scale on it, a soak in vinegar will remove all of that. Their should be nothing but black inside the well the impeller sits in as well except for the bushing at the base of the shaft is blue.

I have a definitive answer between the photos and a discussion with Mr Tunze this morning. Everything in your photos checks out, except the impeller being fouled with lime scale. The impeller is riding too high. If the space between the air intake and needles is off by much, it cannot start the suction to draw in air. If cleaning the pump and impeller and a firm push does not solve it, then a new impeller will.

While I can send a small part like an impeller, repairs do usually require a product to be sent in. I would not consider a skimmer critical and as a hobbyist you will need to have basic back ups for equipment. 2 weeks without a skimmer is only an issue if you are adding live stock and over feeding, if the tank is managed during this time and small weekly water changes done, you can run without a skimmer, but I strongly suggest having a backup pump for flow and backups for temperature (heater, fans etc) if your chiller or heater goes out. I mention this because every manufacturer is going to want the product back for repair or replacement before a new one is sent, in the end, it is your responsibility to have the knowledge and basic spares to get through.

You are in contact with me, I send all spare parts and handle all repairs, your warranty manual gives all of my contact info and the full warranty policy. You would need to email me a copy of the receipt and I can send a new impeller. I would first get everything clean and try giving the impeller a firm push into the pump to be sure the bushing is all the way down and it is not riding too high.

The pictures were taken before cleaning everything, sorry for that. I made sure everything was back in place and clean before assembly

Regarding the exchange, I understand the need as a hobbiest to have spare parts, but I am starting a new tank with new equipment, and honestly I didn't see the need to have two brand new skimmers at the same time from the beginning , considering I purchased a brand new 300 dollar skimmer and it failed on me after a month. Furthermore, I went with tunze and spend a little more money in equipment based on general hobbiest reviews in order to have a reliable product, I guess I was unlucky.

I don't see myself without a skimmer for a month due to current livestock, do you have a part supplier in the south Florida area were maybe I can take the part for replacement? Or maybe I can purchase the impeller, and then you issue me a refund once you get the old impeller?

I understand you have prodecures, but I would really appreciate it if you can help me out.

I would like to clarify that I am happy with the product ( when it works I also purchase two 6095 turbelle s, an ato unit, and doc filter which have worked flawlessly.

 

[Jcdc]

The pictures were taken before cleaning everything, sorry for that. I made sure everything was back in place and clean before assembly

Regarding the exchange, I understand the need as a hobbiest to have spare parts, but I am starting a new tank with new equipment, and honestly I didn't see the need to have two brand new skimmers at the same time from the beginning , considering I purchased a brand new 300 dollar skimmer and it failed on me after a month. Furthermore, I went with tunze and spend a little more money in equipment based on general hobbiest reviews in order to have a reliable product, I guess I was unlucky.

I don't see myself without a skimmer for a month due to current livestock, do you have a part supplier in the south Florida area were maybe I can take the part for replacement? Or maybe I can purchase the impeller, and then you issue me a refund once you get the old impeller?

I understand you have prodecures, but I would really appreciate it if you can help me out.

I would like to clarify that I am happy with the product ( when it works I also purchase two 6095 turbelle s, an ato unit, and doc filter which have worked flawlessly.

Would you please send me an email address were I can send you the skimmer receipt?

 

[rvitko]

It is on the warranty manual but here it is again.

Tunze at sbcglobal dot net

It would never take a month for a repair from us, 2 weeks tops, this is simple though, I can just send the impeller.

 

[Jcdc]

It is on the warranty manual but here it is again.

Tunze at sbcglobal dot net

It would never take a month for a repair from us, 2 weeks tops, this is simple though, I can just send the impeller.

Thank you. I will send the email with the receipt today.