Tunze 9012 impeller/foamer problem - Page 2

Jcdc · 10/14/2015, 11:39 AM

I purchased the unit from amazon in Sept.

christ1991 · 10/26/2015, 03:39 PM

I too am having the same issue with the skimmer not starting and micro bubbles coming out of the seams. Roger did replace the motor after I had to send in the entire skimmer.(paid myself via ups) Keep in mind this was the second time the impellar and first time the motor got replaced and I quote "I only replaced the originally motor because it was upgraded" sounds like they are all around having issue with the impellar and motor on the larger skimmer. I can never get rid of microbubbles and he microbubbles that escape at the seams of the skimmer until alage grows and blocks it(not kidding). Also a couple vinegar soaks at Rogers recommendation the skimmer still will not start unless you take it half way out the water to prime, which is super annoying. This skimmer is a mess of issues.

rvitko · 10/26/2015, 03:51 PM

Chris,

We never replaced the motor, on two occasions I replaced the impeller and we replaced the intermediate plate which is the plate the motor clips to. The primary issue is and has been the impellers. Initially the issue was that they were hand machined, the hole in the middle due to a molding defect had to be done by hand on the first units this resulted in stresses and imperfections that led to breakage. This was resolved, now we have occasional issues with the impeller loosening from the magnet so it rides high and cannot draw air. We are working on this and it will be resolved a new design is in the works for the needle wheel. I am happy to continue working with you to resolve these issues if you will give us a chance.

christ1991 · 10/26/2015, 09:34 PM

I apologize you did not replace the motor just the impellar again. I misread the email. You were correct. So new impellar me are being tested?

rvitko · 10/27/2015, 09:11 AM

Yes, we are working on a new mold for the 9012 impeller magnets, it should permanently solve these issues, they won't be ready though until early next year. Until then all I can do is replace impellers as needed. I am happy to send another. I just had a phone meeting about this last week.

christ1991 · 10/27/2015, 10:54 AM

If the impellar is working properly is it damaging the motor housing?

rvitko · 10/27/2015, 11:00 AM

No, in general the motor would only be damaged by gravel entering the pump or running dry or with no impeller movement for an extended time (3+ days).

Clydester88 · 11/22/2015, 07:20 PM

There is definitely a defect with the impellers. My new one worked for a month and I'm having the same problems again. Very frustrating.

I have to blow in the tube to restart my skimmer so now I just leave it on all the time.

I carbon dose so I can't afford to have the skimmer offline. If it stops due to a power failure while I'm on vacation and doesn't restart - I'm screwed.

rvitko · 11/23/2015, 10:51 AM

Yes and we are redesigning them, but it is at least a month out, for now all that can be done is to send another impeller. On some older impellers the needle wheel works its way forward and the clearance needed to take in air is lost so it cannot draw air on its own.

alakarga · 01/09/2016, 09:44 PM

Same problem since 2 months.
I sent 2 mails to Tunze Germany but no replied :/ My all equipments in tank is Tunze(except heater and light, because Tunze no have). I m exactly disappointed.
This night I tried my luck for 5 hours to fix it and finally gonne mad!
Now I really need painkiller!
Until tonight, I loved Guinness beers and Tunze. Right now just Guinness beers!!!

rvitko · 01/11/2016, 09:37 AM

alakarga,

What country are you in? Tunze was closed Dec 24-Jan 4 so they have a lot to catch up on, if it is urgent, it is generally better to call.

alakarga · 05/01/2016, 10:20 AM

I m in Turkey.
I sent two mails to Tunze, in february and march also.
No return?
I m still blowing to airtube to work it again. No change.

rvitko · 05/02/2016, 08:59 AM

Which email did you use? info@tunze.com?

alakarga · 05/04/2016, 05:02 AM

info.english@tunze.com

rvitko · 05/04/2016, 08:53 AM

That email address would come to me, if it is from outside the US I generally forward them where they should go. I would use info@tunze.com, that goes direct to Germany, or call them 49-8856-2022.

alakarga · 05/04/2016, 11:27 AM

I sent same mail to info@tunze.com
and also cc to info.english@tunze.com

rvitko · 05/04/2016, 11:30 AM

The only email I got from Turkey about a 9012 was from Doganay? Is that you? I put you in contact with Regina who was sending the part?

alakarga · 05/04/2016, 11:40 AM

Sorry Roger,
I meant wrong. The last mail that I talked about is a few minutes ago and then I inform here.
You can check your mail inbox.
My name is Burhan.

10/26/2015, 03:51 PM	#28
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	Chris, We never replaced the motor, on two occasions I replaced the impeller and we replaced the intermediate plate which is the plate the motor clips to. The primary issue is and has been the impellers. Initially the issue was that they were hand machined, the hole in the middle due to a molding defect had to be done by hand on the first units this resulted in stresses and imperfections that led to breakage. This was resolved, now we have occasional issues with the impeller loosening from the magnet so it rides high and cannot draw air. We are working on this and it will be resolved a new design is in the works for the needle wheel. I am happy to continue working with you to resolve these issues if you will give us a chance. __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

10/27/2015, 09:11 AM	#30
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	Yes, we are working on a new mold for the 9012 impeller magnets, it should permanently solve these issues, they won't be ready though until early next year. Until then all I can do is replace impellers as needed. I am happy to send another. I just had a phone meeting about this last week. __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

10/27/2015, 11:00 AM	#32
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	No, in general the motor would only be damaged by gravel entering the pump or running dry or with no impeller movement for an extended time (3+ days). __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

11/23/2015, 10:51 AM	#34
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	Yes and we are redesigning them, but it is at least a month out, for now all that can be done is to send another impeller. On some older impellers the needle wheel works its way forward and the clearance needed to take in air is lost so it cannot draw air on its own. __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

01/11/2016, 09:37 AM	#36
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	alakarga, What country are you in? Tunze was closed Dec 24-Jan 4 so they have a lot to catch up on, if it is urgent, it is generally better to call. __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

10/14/2015, 11:39 AM	#26
Jcdc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 20	I purchased the unit from amazon in Sept.

10/26/2015, 03:39 PM	#27
christ1991 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 14	I too am having the same issue with the skimmer not starting and micro bubbles coming out of the seams. Roger did replace the motor after I had to send in the entire skimmer.(paid myself via ups) Keep in mind this was the second time the impellar and first time the motor got replaced and I quote "I only replaced the originally motor because it was upgraded" sounds like they are all around having issue with the impellar and motor on the larger skimmer. I can never get rid of microbubbles and he microbubbles that escape at the seams of the skimmer until alage grows and blocks it(not kidding). Also a couple vinegar soaks at Rogers recommendation the skimmer still will not start unless you take it half way out the water to prime, which is super annoying. This skimmer is a mess of issues.

10/26/2015, 09:34 PM	#29
christ1991 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 14	I apologize you did not replace the motor just the impellar again. I misread the email. You were correct. So new impellar me are being tested?

10/27/2015, 10:54 AM	#31
christ1991 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 14	If the impellar is working properly is it damaging the motor housing?

11/22/2015, 07:20 PM	#33
Clydester88 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 18	There is definitely a defect with the impellers. My new one worked for a month and I'm having the same problems again. Very frustrating. I have to blow in the tube to restart my skimmer so now I just leave it on all the time. I carbon dose so I can't afford to have the skimmer offline. If it stops due to a power failure while I'm on vacation and doesn't restart - I'm screwed.

01/09/2016, 09:44 PM	#35
alakarga Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 23	Same problem since 2 months. I sent 2 mails to Tunze Germany but no replied :/ My all equipments in tank is Tunze(except heater and light, because Tunze no have). I m exactly disappointed. This night I tried my luck for 5 hours to fix it and finally gonne mad! Now I really need painkiller! Until tonight, I loved Guinness beers and Tunze. Right now just Guinness beers!!!

05/01/2016, 10:20 AM	#37
alakarga Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 23	I m in Turkey. I sent two mails to Tunze, in february and march also. No return? I m still blowing to airtube to work it again. No change.

05/02/2016, 08:59 AM	#38
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	Which email did you use? info@tunze.com? __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

05/04/2016, 05:02 AM	#39
alakarga Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 23	info.english@tunze.com

05/04/2016, 08:53 AM	#40
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	That email address would come to me, if it is from outside the US I generally forward them where they should go. I would use info@tunze.com, that goes direct to Germany, or call them 49-8856-2022. __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

05/04/2016, 11:27 AM	#41
alakarga Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 23	I sent same mail to info@tunze.com and also cc to info.english@tunze.com

05/04/2016, 11:30 AM	#42
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	The only email I got from Turkey about a 9012 was from Doganay? Is that you? I put you in contact with Regina who was sending the part? __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

05/04/2016, 11:40 AM	#43
alakarga Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 23	Sorry Roger, I meant wrong. The last mail that I talked about is a few minutes ago and then I inform here. You can check your mail inbox. My name is Burhan.