Low flow from return pump

PacoPetty · Mar 13, 2020

I have a Bio cube 32 and upgraded my return pump to a Sicce Syncra 2.0 and added loc line with two random flow generators because I was not getting good flow from the stock pump. I cleaned the sponge between the refugium and the return chamber. After all of these upgrades I am still not getting good flow. Any suggestions?

JoshO · Mar 13, 2020

PacoPetty said:
I have a Bio cube 32 and upgraded my return pump to a Sicce Syncra 2.0 and added loc line with two random flow generators because I was not getting good flow from the stock pump. I cleaned the sponge between the refugium and the return chamber. After all of these upgrades I am still not getting good flow. Any suggestions?

Add a small powerhead or wavemaker

Peace River · Mar 13, 2020

A few tests to check the system include taking off the RFGs and to see if it makes a difference. Secondly uninstall the pump and test the pump in a bucket to see if flow is weak or strong there. Additionally, can you run a bottle brush (or comparable) through the hose/pipe that connects the pump to the loc line to check for any blockage? If the pump is running normally with no blockage then you may consider a larger pump or additional flow. Good luck!

Reefnoobz90 · Mar 13, 2020

The syncras are adjustable flow pumps. Is it turned up all the way? There should be a little knob on the front of the pump

PacoPetty · Mar 13, 2020

JoshO said:
Add a small powerhead or wavemaker

I added a Hydor Koralia 750/850 GPH powerhead when I added the other upgrades.

PacoPetty · Mar 13, 2020

Peace River said:
A few tests to check the system include taking off the RFGs and to see if it makes a difference. Secondly uninstall the pump and test the pump in a bucket to see if flow is weak or strong there. Additionally, can you run a bottle brush (or comparable) through the hose/pipe that connects the pump to the loc line to check for any blockage? If the pump is running normally with no blockage then you may consider a larger pump or additional flow. Good luck!

I cleaned the loc line and hose that connects the pump to the loc line when I cleaned the sponge last week so I know all of those are clean. I guess I just expected a lot more flow from the Sicce Syncra 2.0 pump than I was getting from my stock pump.

Peace River · Mar 13, 2020

I do not have a BioCube 32, but my understanding is that the stock pump is a Coralife S-1000 which is rated at 265 GPH and the Sicce Syncra Silent 2.0 is rated at 568 GPH so it is worth doing some more testing to see what is going on. If you pull the Sicce back out and test both of the pumps against each other in a bucket you should see and feel a difference. As was already mentioned, you can rotate the plus shaped knob on the end of the Sicce to change the flow.

PacoPetty · Mar 14, 2020

Peace River said:
I do not have a BioCube 32, but my understanding is that the stock pump is a Coralife S-1000 which is rated at 265 GPH and the Sicce Syncra Silent 2.0 is rated at 568 GPH so it is worth doing some more testing to see what is going on. If you pull the Sicce back out and test both of the pumps against each other in a bucket you should see and feel a difference. As was already mentioned, you can rotate the plus shaped knob on the end of the Sicce to change the flow.

I’m getting ready to pull the pump out now and see if I can turn up the flow with the adjustment knob.

PacoPetty · Mar 14, 2020

PacoPetty said:
I’m getting ready to pull the pump out now and see if I can turn up the flow with the adjustment knob.

Pulled out the pump checked everything it was already turned wide-open and still has very low flow.

Peace River · Mar 14, 2020

PacoPetty said:
Pulled out the pump checked everything it was already turned wide-open and still has very low flow.

Other than trying to disassemble the pump as far as you can (pop the cover off; check the intake, etc.), then you may need to check your warranty and/or replacement options. That pump should be noticeably more powerful than the stock pump that came with AIO.

PacoPetty · Mar 14, 2020

Peace River said:
Other than trying to disassemble the pump as far as you can (pop the cover off; check the intake, etc.), then you may need to check your warranty and/or replacement options. That pump should be noticeably more powerful than the stock pump that came with AIO.

I did all of that and the pump is less than two months old so it should have a warranty.

PacoPetty · Mar 14, 2020

PacoPetty said:
I did all of that and the pump is less than two months old so it should have a warranty.

I just checked and it’s actually less than a month old.

Peace River · Mar 14, 2020

#reefsquad is there anything else that the OP can check on his Sicce 2.0 pump before he pursues a return and/or warranty claim?

GoVols · Mar 14, 2020

PacoPetty said:
I have a Bio cube 32 and upgraded my return pump to a Sicce Syncra 2.0 and added loc line with two random flow generators because I was not getting good flow from the stock pump. I cleaned the sponge between the refugium and the return chamber. After all of these upgrades I am still not getting good flow. Any suggestions?

Are you using the max size hose line size, coming out of your Sicce?

or check to see if your old parts are not clogged (restricted) with any kind of calcium buildup.

Hallowhead · Mar 14, 2020

I use a 2.0 return on my 30 AIO and I feel like it's a very powerful return. I am shocked you're struggling with it.

PacoPetty · Mar 14, 2020

GoVols said:
Are you using the max size hose line size, coming out of your Sicce?

or check to see if your old parts are not clogged (restricted) with any kind of calcium buildup.

It’s a 1/2” hose and all the parts are new. I put the old pump in my saltwater mixing barrel for circulation and it has more power than this new pump.