Need Help Please

[RockyMountainReefing]

This is my first reef tank it’s a Red Sea E260 with a sump. I connected to the Red Sea pipes with 1” pipes for drain and return. My concern is I’m only able to run my Cor 15 return pump at 5% or lower without it drying the return pump chamber. Would changing the the return pipe to 3/4 in the cabinet be helpful or maybe adding a valve on the return pipe? I can only change the pipes in the cabinet, from the bulkhead up it’s the pipes from Red Sea so I can’t increase drain size. Am I overthinking this/ should I just run the pump at 5%?
Please and thanks for any help

1st pic is pump off
2nd pump on
Other pics are just measurements

 

[RockyMountainReefing]

This is my first reef tank it’s a Red Sea E260 with a sump. I connected to the Red Sea pipes with 1” pipes for drain and return. My concern is I’m only able to run my Cor 15 return pump at 5% or lower without it drying the return pump chamber. Would changing the the return pipe to 3/4 in the cabinet be helpful or maybe adding a valve on the return pipe? I can only change the pipes in the cabinet, from the bulkhead up it’s the pipes from Red Sea so I can’t increase drain size. Am I overthinking this/ should I just run the pump at 5%?
Please and thanks for any help

1st pic is pump off
2nd pump on
Other pics are just measurements

More pics

 

[mdb_talon]

That is a big pump for a relatively small tank, but at above 5% is it really overwhelming the returns to the sump? That is really the main consideration. My guess is you can add more water and then turn the pump higher. In a running system the water in display does rise an inch or so. Most of what you have in that pump section is not going to be fully flowing back down. Hard to explain, but I would add more water with pump off(to ensure you don't add so much it can't handle power outages). At least and probably a bit above the water level your middle section is at and then turn pump on and adjust pump. Just need to ensure it not too much flow for your drains.

 

[dschuffert]

I think the Red Sea E260 is a 69-gallon tank plus the size of your sump. It sounds like you are draining the return pump chamber and not the rest of the sump. The problem is the flow through the sump. I am using a Neptune COR-15 on a 90-gallon with an eShoppes AF-200 sump. I can run that pump at 100% with a 1" drain and a 3/4" return. I run it at 65%, as running at 100% is too much flow in my display tank.

 

[dstockwell]

You can try more water but will have to watch power out height, that is a really big pump. I used one inch down 3/4 locline.

 

[RockyMountainReefing]

That is a big pump for a relatively small tank, but at above 5% is it really overwhelming the returns to the sump? That is really the main consideration. My guess is you can add more water and then turn the pump higher. In a running system the water in display does rise an inch or so. Most of what you have in that pump section is not going to be fully flowing back down. Hard to explain, but I would add more water with pump off(to ensure you don't add so much it can't handle power outages). At least and probably a bit above the water level your middle section is at and then turn pump on and adjust pump. Just need to ensure it not too much flow for your drains.

So it’s not overwhelming the drain as I have the gate valve closed some, the emergency drain doesn’t have any water going threw it. I just didn’t know if I made a mistake by have all pipes 1”.

 

[RockyMountainReefing]

I think the Red Sea E260 is a 69-gallon tank plus the size of your sump. It sounds like you are draining the return pump chamber and not the rest of the sump. The problem is the flow through the sump. I am using a Neptune COR-15 on a 90-gallon with an eShoppes AF-200 sump. I can run that pump at 100% with a 1" drain and a 3/4" return. I run it at 65%, as running at 100% is too much flow in my display tank.

Could it be baffles are to high their almost 11”. Not sure what I should do.

 

[RockyMountainReefing]

Would it be worth changing the return pipe to 3/4 or will it be the same issue?

 

[dschuffert]

Could it be baffles are to high their almost 11”. Not sure what I should do.

Yes, try lowering the baffles and see if that makes any difference, it should. Then adjust your baffles to your liking after you get the flow you are looking for.

 

[dschuffert]

Would it be worth changing the return pipe to 3/4 or will it be the same issue?

I wouldn't change the pipe diameter, I think it is fine. I think your issue is the water flower through the sump and you need to get that moving. Then there could be other things to adjust.

 

[RockyMountainReefing]

Yes, try lowering the baffles and see if that makes any difference, it should. Then adjust your baffles to your liking after you get the flow you are looking for.

I would have to cut the baffles. There not adjustable

 

[RockyMountainReefing]

I wouldn't change the pipe diameter, I think it is fine. I think your issue is the water flower through the sump and you need to get that moving. Then there could be other things to adjust.

What if I drill some holes in the return baffles at about 7” mark. I think that’s the height I need for my skimmer anyways?

 

[dschuffert]

I would have to cut the baffles. There not adjustable

It is hard to tell in the pictures, but it looks like your baffles are two pieces (looking at the intake side)? If so, can you lift the left baffle out of the sump lowering the water line?

 

[dschuffert]

What if I drill some holes in the return baffles at about 7” mark. I think that’s the height I need for my skimmer anyways?

I would be hesitant to suggest that you drill anything. You may want to contact the manufacture of the sump and ask them how to control the water flow through the sump.

 

[RockyMountainReefing]

Vid

 

[RockyMountainReefing]

I would be hesitant to suggest that you drill anything. You may want to contact the manufacture of the sump and ask them how to control the water flow through the sump.

So each baffle is two parts it goes under then over. They do not move at all though. I got the sump used. Do you think with the filter roller and skimmer installed I would be ok with 5% control or is that just to low?

 

[dschuffert]

So each baffle is two parts it goes under then over. They do not move at all though. I got the sump used. Do you think with the filter roller and skimmer installed I would be ok with 5% control or is that just to low?

It is hard to tell. Personally, I would want more flow.

 

[mdb_talon]

So it’s not overwhelming the drain as I have the gate valve closed some, the emergency drain doesn’t have any water going threw it. I just didn’t know if I made a mistake by have all pipes 1”.

Then why not add more water to the system? More flow into the tank and through the drain is more flow through the sump into the return pump section. I really think the issue is you don't have enough water in your tank. Your "pump off" water level is what I would expect the level to be with the pump on.