Tunze pump quit working

[cornjax]

I have a tunze nano skimmer bought new end of December and the pump stoped working. I know that it should not be already broken by now any help in fixing this situation???

 

[rvitko]

What pump does it have? 1073.008 or 0800.040? Have you tried simply opening and cleaning the pump? If it has never been cleaned to this point it is likely just locked up with calcium, they typically need cleaning at least every 6 months. The 0800.040 was replaced by 1073.008 around August of last year, the pumps are very different so it is important to know which one it is so I can give a better suggestion of the cause. It would be under warranty as long as the cause is not simply neglect and the need for cleaning.

 

[cornjax]

I have cleaned it a few times before last night. I did clean it as well last night cause I thought that might be the cause. I do have the 1073.008 pump so not sure where to go from here?

 

[rvitko]

Send in the pump, if it cannot be repaired, we will replace it, turnaround is typically 24hrs, we ship back by UPS ground.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin, TX 78753

 

[cornjax]

roger i checked the pump before sending it to you and noticed that it was working again. i know that it sounds that i didnt clean it but it wasnt calcified. two questions i have is that you said my pump now is the model that was replaced, what is the chance of still sending in this pump and getting the other one that was replacing the one i have? second question do you have a few pic of showing the pump in the skimmer case im not sure i have it in there the right way? i have had problems getting this skimmer to skim much at all.

 

[rvitko]

1073.008 is the newest model, it replaced 0800.040,these pumps cannot be interchanged. I do not have a pic, but the pump goes in seemingly backwards, the cord has to wrap over the pump to come out the cord grommet and the outlet nozzle fits into a hole in a baffle plate.

 

[cornjax]

so can you maybe explain why i have little skim that is produced? i seem to have it tweaked that it starts producing skim then a few days later it just stops.

 

[rvitko]

It could be a couple reasons, if the water level fluctuates more than about 1/2" that could do it, this skimmer needs a very constant water level. If you set the skimmer to skim very dry and the riser tube is being caked with sludge that would also cause this problem, the sludge breaks the bubbles and nothing more collects in the cup, skimming wetter will prevent this build up from occuring so quickly, this skimmer is performing optimally when the skimmate is on the watery side, like very light colored tea.

 

[cornjax]

I have the skimmer in a solana 34 gal so i dont think that the water level changes that much. Sorry but im not familiar with the wet skim. is that where i need to clean the collection cup every day or every other day?

 

[rvitko]

Wet skimming refers to what collects in the cup, if you have it adjusted to make dark coffee like skimmate, increase the airflow so the skimmate is like light colored tea, this way the waste is less dense and doesn't cake up the skimmer cup. A 34 Solana is pretty small and without a top off system it is quite probable it is dropping about 1/4-1/2" per day, if you are not topping up every day or using a top off system I would bet this is the culprit.