Any red Sea reefers here ???

[bandos507]

Hi!!

looking for some help! Just bought a reefer 200 and I’m having trouble figuring out the water level in the sump. I think im filling it up too much which is causing microbubbles. How should the water flow? Through the sock…. Then the main chamber where the skimmer goes and then through the baffle which trickles into the return pump area? Can someone clarify??

also, I noticed my ATO ball is under water. Where should the water line be in the back return pump chamber?? Help !!

 

[MnFish1]

Have you tried turning off your skimmer - and seeing what happens? Your ATO valve is ok - it just means your ATO will not (should not) - put any 'top off' water into the tank until some evaporates.

Does your tank have a foam block between the skimmer compartment and the return pump? Are you sure that your return pump is not 'sucking air'?

 

[GoVols]

The sumps water line is the glass wall right behind your skimmer.

Then the water should flow down into the small sponge micro bubble chamber.

Then it should flow back up to your ato’s float valve

 

[bandos507]

Have you tried turning off your skimmer - and seeing what happens? Your ATO valve is ok - it just means your ATO will not (should not) - put any 'top off' water into the tank until some evaporates.

Does your tank have a foam block between the skimmer compartment and the return pump? Are you sure that your return pump is not 'sucking air'?

Yeah I have a foam block . I was thinking of maybe cutting and putting more ?

the return pump is on there really good I doubt it. How can I check if the return pump is sucking air ??

 

[ScubaFish802]

Even with the foam block it is possible if the skimmer is new that there is just a lot of micro bubbles being produced currently

 

[bandos507]

Even with the foam block it is possible if the skimmer is new that there is just a lot of micro bubbles being produced currently

Actually yeah the skimmer is about a week old

 

[bandos507]

Here’s a pick of it now…: see how the water isn’t flowing over the baffle to the return pump chamber? Does that mean the water is going underneath or I need to fill it up so it goes over the chamber ??

 

[bandos507]

 

[bandos507]

 

[exnisstech]

Where is the water level in your overflow? It should be just a hair below the emergency drain or just trickling over like mine ussualy does. If it's too high that shouldn't be a problem just noisy if it's low it will cause problems in the sump . If it's low you'll have to close the valve on the down flow a little. Move it a very small amount clockwise to close and raise the level in the overflow and wait a few minutes. They are the most finicky valves I have adjusted but they work it just takes time. I would turn off the skimmer and get the water levels correct before even attempting to run it. Once the levels are good and flowing correctly you should be able to turn the skimmer back on and add enough saltwater to bring the level back to the normal otherwise it will, just drain your ato container. I have a reefer 170 but the sump looks identical to yours. I use a jbj ato not the stock float valve but I wouldn't think that makes any difference unless the float valve does not allow the level to be set correctly. The pic shows where mine runs with no bubbles. I have the same skimmer and just pulled it a couple of days ago but didn't have to change anything when I did. I also didn't run any sponge blocks and had no bubbles in the display. It does seem like I have to fiddle with the drain valve more than I should but I've gotten used to it. After 3 years running I can tell by the sound what adjustments need to be made.

 

[bandos507]

Where is the water level in your overflow? It should be just a hair below the emergency drain or just trickling over like mine ussualy does. If it's too high that shouldn't be a problem just noisy if it's low it will cause problems in the sump . If it's low you'll have to close the valve on the down flow a little. Move it a very small amount clockwise to close and raise the level in the overflow and wait a few minutes. They are the most finicky valves I have adjusted but they work it just takes time. I would turn off the skimmer and get the water levels correct before even attempting to run it. Once the levels are good and flowing correctly you should be able to turn the skimmer back on and add enough saltwater to bring the level back to the normal otherwise it will, just drain your ato container. I have a reefer 170 but the sump looks identical to yours. I use a jbj ato not the stock float valve but I wouldn't think that makes any difference unless the float valve does not allow the level to be set correctly. The pic shows where mine runs with no bubbles. I have the same skimmer and just pulled it a couple of days ago but didn't have to change anything when I did. I also didn't run any sponge blocks and had no bubbles in the display. It does seem like I have to fiddle with the drain valve more than I should but I've gotten used to it. After 3 years running I can tell by the sound what adjustments need to be made.

Thank you for the pic! I definitely need to make some adjustments to the overflow area and bring it up. This might be a stupid question….. but how does the water get to your rerun pump area? Is the water going underneath the baggage chamber?? I can’t tell in mine how it’s working. From the looks of your pic your sump pretty much looks like mine too but I’m just confused as to how water replenishes Back there . Is it only taking in the ATO water ?

 

[exnisstech]

Thank you for the pic! I definitely need to make some adjustments to the overflow area and bring it up. This might be a stupid question….. but how does the water get to your rerun pump area? Is the water going underneath the baggage chamber?? I can’t tell in mine how it’s working. From the looks of your pic your sump pretty much looks like mine too but I’m just confused as to how water replenishes Back there . Is it only taking in the ATO water ?

Down the main drain into the chamber where the sock is. Up over and through the sock into the chamber where your skimmer is. Over the first weir then under the second weir into the return chamber. I would just start closing the big red valve in very slow increments waiting several minutes between adjustments to get to water level up in the over flow. It can be frustrating, (or at least it was for me but sometimes I have the patience of a gnat) but once you get the hang of it its simple. Mine goes wonky for no reason once in a while. I wake up in the middle of the night with it noisy because the water level is low in the over flow. Not sure why it but I just get up adjust it and back to bed. That valve is probably the only thing I don't like on this tank. I thought about doing a gate valve mod but have read that that isn't perfect either so I leave well enough alone.
Crappy penmanship with the arrows. It ends up pointing at the emergency drain not the return

 

[stevolough]

Also make sure your skimmer is set to the recommended water level. When I skim to lightly micro bubbles start escaping from it.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Hey there. Looks like we have the same tank and skimmer. Red Sea 200XL G2. Turn the gate valve clockwise. It may take a while , but you want the water in the over flow box to fill up until it reaches about 1cm under the emergency overflow is where you want the water level in the over box. You'll need to adjust the gatevalve so that the water going into overflow matches the rate of water returning into the tank and that the level stays the same in the overflow box. This can prove challenging. Its perfectly fine to have a slow trickle going into the emergency overflow for constant sump water level. When you get close to where you want the level , make very small adjustments (1mm at a time) and wait 3-4 minutes to check the level. It will take some time.



4 Overview of the REEFER™ water management system Surface Skimmer / Overflow Box Surface water from the aquarium flows via the removable comb sections of the surface skimmer into the overflow box that houses the dual intakes of the silent-flow downpipe system and the outlet nozzle of the sump return pump. The silent-flow downpipe system includes a flow-regulated main downpipe and a secondary overflow bypass pipe. An external pipe with a clear upper section is placed over the main downpipe to ensure positive water motion throughout the entire height of the overflow box. The fine adjustment flow valve on the main downpipe enables the water level in the overflow box to be maintained at a constant height between the intakes of the main and bypass pipes, which ensures positive surface skimming while eliminating all noise from the water flow to the sump. An incorrect setting of the flow valve will be accompanied by the sound of the water returning to the sump and is an indication that the flow valve needs adjusting.


Main downpipe valve adjustment To raise the water level in the overflow box, rotate the valve clockwise.To lower the water level in the overflow box, rotate the valve counter clockwise. The main downpipe flow valve provides a very fine control of the flow rate however after making adjustments it takes the system a few minutes to stabilize at the new setting. Once you have established the approximate setting for the valve make very small adjustments and wait for a few minutes each time. It may take a number of occasional adjustments to reach a stable level. When set properly this system removes all of the noise of water flowing down to the sump.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Here's my water level in the overflow

 

[bandos507]

Hey there. Looks like we have the same tank and skimmer. Red Sea 200XL G2. Turn the gate valve clockwise. It may take a while , but you want the water in the over flow box to fill up until it reaches about 1cm under the emergency overflow is where you want the water level in the over box. You'll need to adjust the gatevalve so that the water going into overflow matches the rate of water returning into the tank and that the level stays the same in the overflow box. This can prove challenging. Its perfectly fine to have a slow trickle going into the emergency overflow for constant sump water level. When you get close to where you want the level , make very small adjustments (1mm at a time) and wait 3-4 minutes to check the level. It will take some time.



4 Overview of the REEFER™ water management system Surface Skimmer / Overflow Box Surface water from the aquarium flows via the removable comb sections of the surface skimmer into the overflow box that houses the dual intakes of the silent-flow downpipe system and the outlet nozzle of the sump return pump. The silent-flow downpipe system includes a flow-regulated main downpipe and a secondary overflow bypass pipe. An external pipe with a clear upper section is placed over the main downpipe to ensure positive water motion throughout the entire height of the overflow box. The fine adjustment flow valve on the main downpipe enables the water level in the overflow box to be maintained at a constant height between the intakes of the main and bypass pipes, which ensures positive surface skimming while eliminating all noise from the water flow to the sump. An incorrect setting of the flow valve will be accompanied by the sound of the water returning to the sump and is an indication that the flow valve needs adjusting.


Main downpipe valve adjustment To raise the water level in the overflow box, rotate the valve clockwise.To lower the water level in the overflow box, rotate the valve counter clockwise. The main downpipe flow valve provides a very fine control of the flow rate however after making adjustments it takes the system a few minutes to stabilize at the new setting. Once you have established the approximate setting for the valve make very small adjustments and wait for a few minutes each time. It may take a number of occasional adjustments to reach a stable level. When set properly this system removes all of the noise of water flowing down to the sump.

Awesome!! Thank you for the explanation!! I attached a pic… see where I drew a line?? If my water level is below that line then water can’t cross over correct? How does water replenish back there? How does my pump
Not run dry? I’m trying to figure out how the water flow gets to that back chamber

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Ah gotcha. That is the adjustable baffle height so you can adjust the water level in the skimmer chamber. There is 2 nylon screws for you to adjust. I did slide mine up about 3/4 " that should be of no concern. Water will still go into the return chamber. What return pump? Overflow is rated at 530gph I think so get your return pump to match that plus head pressure.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Here's my sump now with the reefmat500. I highly recommend it. Say goodbye to filter socks. No mods needed to fit. I have skimmer intake facing directly at the filtered water. Added a circulating co2 scrubber and it has been working fantastic

 

[kpoj9]

Here's my sump now with the reefmat500. I highly recommend it. Say goodbye to filter socks. No mods needed to fit. I have skimmer intake facing directly at the filtered water. Added a circulating co2 scrubber and it has been working fantastic

Is that the reefer 200? If so, I have the same tank, would love to get a Reefmatt but I don’t want to have to tear sump apart

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Yes, It is the Red Sea 200XL G2 model. The filter sock holder slides right off without any mods. Lots of options on how/where you want to install it. Behind my Reefmat there is a ball of chaeto that is growing. I have 2 Tunze 8831 refugium light that is submersible. Its a pain in the rear to get to the chaeto like it is. I'll figure something out as i have a UV to plumb too so all this may change.