FAQs Nenko Interactive - Bubble Tube 175 x15 cm
Why does the air stone in my bubble tube come loose?
The air stone can come loose if it is accidentally hit with an object, for example during cleaning of the bubble tube. Unfortunately, this is not covered by the warranty.
To solve this problem, you can order the replacement part item 82004.
How can I turn off the bubble unit?
You can easily turn off the bubble unit by unplugging it. This has no negative effects on the unit, as it has been designed and thoroughly tested for this.
How many watts does the bubble unit consume?
The bubble unit is supplied with a power adapter with an output of 20 watts. The built-in LED lamp has a maximum power of 9 watts. This maximum power is only reached when all colours are switched on at the same time (white light). When using individual colours, the energy consumption is lower.
Is a wall bracket always required?
No, a wall bracket is not always necessary. For calm clients, the bubble tube is generally stable enough on the floor or on its base.
The bubble tube is no longer producing bubbles
Is the bubble unit no longer producing bubbles? Please check the points below step by step. In many cases, the issue can be resolved easily.
**Step 1 – Check the adapter**
First, check whether the correct adapter is being used.
The bubble unit only works with a suitable 12V / 20VA adapter with AC/AC power. (article number 82017960)
Please note: using an incorrect adapter may cause the bubble unit to malfunction or become damaged. In this case, the warranty will no longer apply.
It is possible that the pump has burned out due to the use of an incorrect adapter. Therefore, always make sure you are using the original adapter with the correct technical specifications.
If you are unsure whether you are using the correct adapter, please contact Nenko.
**Step 2 – Check the valve**
Check whether the valve is fully open. If the valve is closed or partially closed, no bubbles can be produced.
**Step 3 – Check the water level**
Check whether the bubble unit is filled correctly.
Fill the tube to a maximum of 40 mm (4 cm) below the top edge
A water level that is too low may prevent the bubble unit from functioning properly
**Step 4 – Check the tubes**
Is the bubble unit still not working? Carefully open the cover of the bubble unit. It is secured with four screws.
Then check whether the tubes are still properly connected:
- The transparent tube connected to the airstone
- The transparent tube connected to the pump on the right-hand side
It is possible that one of these tubes has come loose during use or transport.
**Step 5 – Test the bubble unit again**
Close the cover properly and test whether the bubble unit is producing bubbles again.
Still no bubbles?
Is the bubble unit still not working after the checks above? Please complete the repair form below:
https://www.nenko.com/repair-request-or-report-missing-items
The bubble tube is no longer giving light.
If your bubble tube no longer gives light, it may be that the LED lamp is defective. Replace the defective lamp with a new LED lamp. We recommend having a spare lamp in stock. These lamps are available on our website under item number 82011. Ensure that the LED lamp does not exceed 12V / AC 5W to prevent overloading the plug transformer. The LED lamp is set for a slow change of RGB colors.
The tube of the bubble tube is broken.
If the tube of the bubble tube is broken, we can supply a new tube. The replacement tubes are specifically designed for the Nenko Interactive bubble tubes and are essential if the original tube of your bubble tube is broken. These separate tubes can be found on our website. For this bubble unit, this is the loose tube with part number 19779B.
Important: Always check the specifications of your current bubble tube to ensure that this part has the correct dimensions and specifications. We do not sell tubes for a budget bubble tube.
Our tubes are made of strong plexiglass, but this does not mean they are indestructible. If the target group using the bubble tubes is vigorous or aggressive, we recommend integrating the bubble tube into a padded base. Check out these modules on our website under the product group "Nenko Modules".
If this option takes up too much space or does not fit within the budget, we recommend our brackets for bubble tubes. We have brackets in both wood and plastic, with the wooden variant being sturdier than the plastic. Check out the adjustable wall brackets for the Nenko bubble tubes with a diameter of 15 cm and 20 cm.
The bubble tube is leaking.
Check for cracks in the tube. To prevent further damage, empty the bubble tube. You can do this yourself, but it is easier to use our water pump, item number 20605960.
Remove the cover from the base (by unscrewing the 4 screws) to check if the hoses are properly connected. Check if the check valves are working correctly; water should not enter the hoses from the base.
Once you have done this and it still doesn't work properly, report it as a repair on our website and take a photo of the hoses.
How can I clean the bubble tube?
Follow the steps below to properly clean the bubble unit and keep it in optimal condition:
Empty the bubble unit completely (tip: use article number 20605960 for this)
Rinse the tube thoroughly with warm water
Carefully clean the inside with a soft cleaning brush
Then let the bubble unit run overnight with cleaning vinegar
This helps loosen limescale and dirt
Afterwards, rinse the bubble unit thoroughly again with clean water
Refill the bubble unit with demineralised water or water with chlorine tablets added
This will help keep the bubble unit clean and ensure optimal performance.
How many liters does this bubble tube need?
This bubble tube requires approximately 25 liters of water.
How many chlorine tablets do I need for this bubble tube?
Fill the bubble tube with tap water and add pure chlorine tablets;
*1 tablet of 1.8 grams per 10 liters of water (this may smell unpleasant at first). The active chlorine is effective for about 1 to 3 months.
This bubble tube requires approximately 25 liters of water, for which you need 3 tablets of 1.8 grams each.
How many jugs of your demineralized water do I need for the bubble tube?
Our jugs of demineralized water contain 5 liters per jug.
This bubble tube requires approximately 18 liters of water, so you need 5 jugs of water.
How do I empty a bubble tube?
You can easily fill and empty the bubble unit using the bubble tube water pump. This water pump has been specially developed by Nenko to make filling and emptying a bubble unit quicker and easier.
For more information, please view the water pump with article number 20605960 on our website.
What about Legionella and bubble tubes?
All materials that involve stagnant cold water pose a risk of Legionella contamination, including bubble tubes. However, the risk is negligible (there can hardly be any aerosol formation due to the small hole in the lid), especially in combination with demineralized water and regular use.
Therefore, always ensure the bubble tube is used regularly, preferably every day. Replace the demineralized water annually. Always refill with demineralized water. If a bubble tube is inactive for more than a week, it is best to change the water and rinse the tube with water warmer than 60 degrees to prevent any contamination.
Do I need to regularly change the water in a bubble tube?
Demineralized water ensures that a bubble tube stays fresh for a long time, but dust particles (which can enter through the hole in the lid) will eventually contaminate the water. We recommend changing the water at least once a year.
Why is it better to use demineralized water instead of chlorine tablets?
Chlorine tablets do keep bacteria out of the tube and ensure the water stays clean, but they do not remove limescale from the water. Demineralized water contains no minerals, and therefore no limescale, which means no limescale deposits can form on the non-return valve. Limescale is one of the main causes of broken bubble tubes!
Can accessories such as balls be placed inside the bubble tube?
No, we do not recommend this.
Please note: the balls are not suitable for the budget bubble unit, small bubble units or bubble units with a diameter of Ø15 cm. We also advise against using self-purchased accessories inside the bubble unit.
Using unsuitable accessories may affect the functioning of the bubble unit or cause damage.
How can I move this bubble unit?
We offer a mobile undercarriage for all our Nenko Interactive bubble units. This undercarriage can be found on our website under item number 70058961.
What is the difference between a Nenko Interactive water column and a normal water column?
The Nenko Interactive bubble tube offers the unique possibility of being combined with Nenko Interactive switches. This allows you to control the bubble tube and decide when the bubbles turn on or off and what colour the bubble tube takes on. You have the freedom to choose and adjust the colours manually, offering an interactive experience that you can synchronise with the rest of the room. Of course, this bubble tube can also be used without switches. Moreover, these bubble tubes are larger in size, making them particularly suitable for professional use.
In contrast, normal bubble tubes do not offer these interactive features. They are equipped with a different lamp that makes the colours change automatically. So with these tubes, you cannot decide which colour you want; the colours change automatically and cannot be adjusted manually. In addition, these bubble tubes are smaller in size, which makes them suitable for rooms where less space is available.
We are not allowed to use a bubble tube due to hygiene protocols, but the material is so beautiful. What is an alternative?
For this reason, we have developed the LED Light Tube. This is a very beautiful alternative without water, ideal if you cannot install a bubble tube.
Is a bubble tube suitable for a bathroom?
Yes, low voltage (12 V, 24 V) is allowed, but only if the transformer is located outside the bathroom or if the adapter is far away from the 'moist' zones in the bathroom.
Is the bubble tube made of glass?
No, the bubble tube is made of plexiglass.
Is it necessary to have a control panel or cube to change the colors of this bubble tube?
No, it is not necessary to have a control panel or cube to change the colors of the bubble tube. The colors of this bubble tube change automatically. However, if you want more interaction, you can use our Nenko Interactive line, such as the control panel (article number 22009134) or the cube (article number 18871134). With these products, you can manually adjust the colors of the bubble tube.
What is the difference between the budget bubble unit and the Nenko bubble units?
The budget bubble unit is attractive mainly because of its low price and is ideal for home use. The base of this unit is less sturdy, which is fine for a private setting. In contrast, the Nenko Interactive bubble units are designed for professional use in healthcare facilities, with a sturdier base and more functionalities for therapeutic purposes.
How is the warranty on the bubble tubes?
All our products come with a 1-year factory warranty. This means that defects due to manufacturing errors will be repaired free of charge within this period. Unfortunately, the warranty does not cover defects caused by improper or incorrect use, damage due to dropping, improper maintenance, or normal wear and tear.
If the product is completely replaced during the warranty period, the warranty does not reset. For example, if the product is replaced after 9 months, you will still have 3 months of factory warranty on the replacement product.
Even outside the factory warranty, various parts of products can still be replaced, depending on the type of product and its expected lifespan. If you have a part repaired outside the warranty period, a 1-year factory warranty is provided on the replaced part. This warranty only applies to the replaced part, not the entire product.
Since we have more than 3000 products in our assortment, there is no standard answer on how we handle service requests, and it is up to our customer service to evaluate each case.
Therefore, we ask you to submit a repair request through your account. Normally, you will receive a response to your service inquiry within 1 to 2 working days.
Do bubble tubes break easily during transport?
We can say very clearly and honestly that the bubble tubes do not break during transport. A few years ago, in consultation with our supplier, we redeveloped the boxes. These boxes are environmentally friendly and thoroughly tested to ensure that the bubble tubes do not get damaged during transport. To confirm this, we have dropped bubble tubes of 2.5 meters in the new boxes, and they did not break during the fall. The tube is also tested for 24 hours before it is ready for transport to ensure there are no leaks.
Note: Damage we encounter is invariably due to improper unpacking and placing the bubble tube on the ground. Always lift the bubble tube straight out of the packaging and place it directly on the ground. The edge of the bubble tube on the base is a circle only a few millimeters wide, which means you really cannot move it after filling.
To emphasize again: lift the bubble tube straight up out of the box, never at an angle! Never fill the bubble tube at an angle and do not move the bubble tube once it is filled!