Tunze power cycle problem

[Kerstin]

I want to start by saying that when my skimmer works, it is great. However, I have a question.

I have the 9010 model, and started running it on my 92-gal Reef tank in mid-November. I moved all my contents from my 29 to the 92 shortly before Thanksgiving, and the skimmer worked great. At all times I turned my skimmer off while feeding my tank, then let it come on again about 2 hours later (timer).

2 weeks ago I did some major aquascaping, and afterwards my skimmer stopped working. I pulled it apart totally, and reassembled it, and it worked fine. The next day, it had again stopped after I cycled the power for feeding everyone. I again did my yearly maintenance, and after this the skimmer worked fine for 10 days - until last night! Again, the skimmer stopped, and I am sure once I clean it today, it will run fine again.

Why? I thought I was allowed to stop it for feeding my tank. Or should I just take out the collection cup so it can't skim the food out while I am feeding?

Please tell me what I should be doing - it ran fine for over three months, helped work through some major algae, and now it keeps stopping...what am I doing wrong?

Thanks for all your inputs, Kerstin

 

[rvitko]

My most likely guess is that the brake shoes are locking up, probably they have worn a bit. It could also be that the bearing bush which is the collar the brakes engage on has slipped out a bit. You should be able to turn it off.

 

[Kerstin]

So why would the brake shoes slip? Do I need to replace them already? I ask because the skimmer has only been running just at 4 months total - I didn't think I had to replace anything that quickly.
I will check the bearing bush when I clean it tonight - but last time it seemed completely tight.

If it helps, the only way I notice it isn't working is that it no longer produces foam - it isn't loud or anything...my LFS thought maybe the impeller was getting stuck from a slight bit of slime, could that also be contributing?

Thanks for the quick response, Kerstin

 

[rvitko]

It should last a couple years, if the brakes have worn to this point so fast something is wrong, the bearing bush can slip out with start ups, I have seen this happen in the past but normally one of these culprits will result in a grinding noise so I may be completely off. Does the sump water level rise when you shut the skimmer off? I am just wondering if water is in the airline as a result and maybe the lack of bubbles is just momentary.

 

[Kerstin]

Hi again!

Actually, the skimmer sits in the back corner of a 92-gal corner tank. At most/worst, the water level in the tank will drop to ~3/8 inch below the wavy line, but otherwise the water level doesn't change when I turn off the skimmer.

I took apart the skimmer, and when I tried to momentarily turn on the impeller to see if it spins, it worked fine. I therefore reassembled the skimmer, put it back in the tank, and started it. It did sound like it was starting - but then I got nothing, and the motor was quiet...so now what.

When I pulled it apart, here is what I noticed:
- the Upper bearing sat very loosely on the magnetic rotor (p. 86, parts 7 and 6, respectively)
- the Brake shoes did seem to come out rather easily - and had to be pushed back in so that the impeller (the drive unit) would fit properly inside the motor.

I hope this information helps; thanks tremendously for your inputs.

Kerstin

 

[rvitko]

OK, the cogs that the brake shoes engage on have worn, likely they were below spec in size to begin with. The magnet is spinning but not the shaft so the impeller is not moving. PM me your address and I will send what you need. The upper bearing should be loose, so that is fine.

 

[Kerstin]

I apologize - I saw your message after I sent you the second email. The new part arrived today, and I have installed it...and it works!

Thank you SO MUCH for your fast response...I really appreciate it!

Thanks, Kerstin