Noisy sump.. need new pump?

[nim6us]

Back again!

So finally getting wet with my Red Sea Reefer 425 however I think I've got a real problem.

The water in the is flowing over the top of the filter socks and dropping into the sump like little waterfalls. (Picture below is exactly like my setup) The overall system seems to work but it is kinda noisy and I'm worried that the water is not actually filtering through the the filter socks.

The issue is if I tighten the diaphragm on the RS Reefer too tight the water level in the weir rises and flows down the emergency drain pipe. So even getting it as tight as I can with the water level right below the emergency drain pipe. In my sump it's still gushing and waterfalling over the filter sock area.

The pump I have is a Fluval SP4 and it doesn't have any power adjustments. I'm not 100% sure but I think the issue is my pump is just too powerful for my system. But before I go and look at a new pump, does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[nim6us]

Below is a picture of my sump before I added water and the filter socks. It would be a messier solution but I could drain the sump and add a gate valve where I’ve highlighted in green, that would allow me to throttle the pump? Or would that stress the pump?

 

[lapin]

Sounds like your pump is putting out too much flow for the filter socks to handle. Or your filter socks are dirty. If the socks are not dirty, you can throttle the "output" of the pump to fix the problem. Do not throttle the "input" of the pump.

 

[wangspeed]

You can get filter sock silencers. I have them and it helps some. I also put a zip tie on my mesh filter socks about 1/4 down. This helps the water follow the sock down instead of crashing down. Not a big deal that I had to zip tie since it’s mesh and flows plenty even with a shortened sock. I’ll try to take a pic later.

 

[Maggie321]

Coarser socks. Or get rid of them all together.

 

[wangspeed]

Here's how I manage it. Likely to make more changes in the future, but good enough for now.

 

[lapin]

To be clear: is all the water going down into the socks or is flowing out of the safety overflow? (circled)

 

[nim6us]

@lapin

Yes you are correct, that's where the water is flowing out of.

I removed the socks this morning and it's almost silent, just a slight trickle. However I feel the flow is still too strong from that pump. The Fluval SP4 is currently pushing almost 2,000 GPH. I ordered a new Syncra Silent 5.0 thats 1,300 GPH and it has an option to turn down the flow even more if need be. Addtionally I bought a set of Crud Catchers to to replace the socks that I wasn't a big fan of in the first place.

Hopfully this combination sould quiet down the sump without me having to drain it all and hack apart my plumbing to add a gate valve.

 

[wangspeed]

Oops. I misunderstood the problem! You could still try mesh socks instead of felt. They flow more water.

 

[Johnsoto25]

Back again!

So finally getting wet with my Red Sea Reefer 425 however I think I've got a real problem.

The water in the is flowing over the top of the filter socks and dropping into the sump like little waterfalls. (Picture below is exactly like my setup) The overall system seems to work but it is kinda noisy and I'm worried that the water is not actually filtering through the the filter socks.

The issue is if I tighten the diaphragm on the RS Reefer too tight the water level in the weir rises and flows down the emergency drain pipe. So even getting it as tight as I can with the water level right below the emergency drain pipe. In my sump it's still gushing and waterfalling over the filter sock area.

The pump I have is a Fluval SP4 and it doesn't have any power adjustments. I'm not 100% sure but I think the issue is my pump is just too powerful for my system. But before I go and look at a new pump, does anyone have any other suggestions?

where did you get that holder??

 

[nim6us]

where did you get that holder??

Hi that’s just the stock filter sock setup on then Red Sea Reefer series sumps.

Also for anyone reading I never posted a follow up. The issue wasn’t the pump it was filter socks were to fine. I ended up ditching the socks for filter cups and they’re SOO much better in every way.