Pump setup in RedSea250

[Kirstin]

Hello, I just set up my new RedSea250 andI am having trouble with the pump. I originally purchased a Syncra silent 3.5. The pump made noise then the impeller broke. I replaced it with a 3.0. I am not running the pump full open, maybe 1/2-2/3 open, yet it keeps draining the return section of the stump. This is my first sump so I am unsure wgat to do. There is about 10 inches of water in the other two sump chambers. When I open the valve to get more water the drain makes gurgling noises, when I dial it back the gurgling stops bur the pump sucks air. I have tried adjusting the valve and can’t seem to dial it in. What am I doing wrong?
Thank you

 

[Kirstin]

Hello, I just set up my new RedSea250 andI am having trouble with the pump. I originally purchased a Syncra silent 3.5. The pump made noise then the impeller broke. I replaced it with a 3.0. I am not running the pump full open, maybe 1/2-2/3 open, yet it keeps draining the return section of the stump. This is my first sump so I am unsure wgat to do. There is about 10 inches of water in the other two sump chambers. When I open the valve to get more water the drain makes gurgling noises, when I dial it back the gurgling stops bur the pump sucks air. I have tried adjusting the valve and can’t seem to dial it in. What am I doing wrong?
Thank you

This is an edit:
I just switched out the pump for a 317 gph Aquatop I had on hand. Upon inspecation the Syncra 3.0 was only 1/4 open not 1/2. So at 1/4 it was draining the return chamber. I need a minimum of 540gph, 10x turnover, what do I do?

 

[newreef1]

Hello, I just set up my new RedSea250 andI am having trouble with the pump. I originally purchased a Syncra silent 3.5. The pump made noise then the impeller broke. I replaced it with a 3.0. I am not running the pump full open, maybe 1/2-2/3 open, yet it keeps draining the return section of the stump. This is my first sump so I am unsure wgat to do. There is about 10 inches of water in the other two sump chambers. When I open the valve to get more water the drain makes gurgling noises, when I dial it back the gurgling stops bur the pump sucks air. I have tried adjusting the valve and can’t seem to dial it in. What am I doing wrong?
Thank you

Hey Kristen,
Is your sump completely filled? When I filled my 750xxl for the first time the same thing happened, I filled the DT and then the sump. While the DT looks full and the sump looks full when you start the pump it pumps water from the return chamber up to the DT emptying the return chamber, you have to keep adding water until it pumps enough water to the DT and there is water left over in the return chamber, ideally up to the float bulb. Once you fill enough you basically start a cycle of the pump pumping enough water in the DT that it also spills into the back overflow box which will then in turn bring it back down into the sump, starting a cycle. During the week, water will evaporate and you will have to have a top off or can manually add water during the week in the sump, this should be plain RODI water as the salt will still be in the tank.
For the gurgling noise, turn the return valve so it’s completely open at first and then slowly turn it the other way until you hear the noise go down. You should wait around 5 mins between every turn to ensure the noise is correct. If you turn too quickly you can miss that perfect spot and will hear this water seeping in toilet noise and if it’s too open you’ll hear the loud gurgling. It takes some time but once you find it you don’t really hear it. I listened to the seeping noise for weeks until it reminded me of a toilet and I tuned it down to find the perfect spot. These are all the new learning pains but once you figure it out it’ll be easy, I also had similar issues starting my first tank.

 

[newreef1]

This is an edit:
I just switched out the pump for a 317 gph Aquatop I had on hand. Upon inspecation the Syncra 3.0 was only 1/4 open not 1/2. So at 1/4 it was draining the return chamber. I need a minimum of 540gph, 10x turnover, what do I do?

Also Kirstin, sorry for the spelling mistake. This is very important! Once your sump is completely filled to the float valve and the water is running nicely between the DT and the sump, turn off the pump. Let the water drain from the DT to the sump and make sure your sump doesn’t overflow. Typically there should be enough space for all the water in the sump, you should do this because in case of a power outage if your pump turns off and the water drains, it doesn’t overflow and spill into your home. Once you check, you can start the pump and should be all set.

 

[newreef1]

Hello, I just set up my new RedSea250 andI am having trouble with the pump. I originally purchased a Syncra silent 3.5. The pump made noise then the impeller broke. I replaced it with a 3.0. I am not running the pump full open, maybe 1/2-2/3 open, yet it keeps draining the return section of the stump. This is my first sump so I am unsure wgat to do. There is about 10 inches of water in the other two sump chambers. When I open the valve to get more water the drain makes gurgling noises, when I dial it back the gurgling stops bur the pump sucks air. I have tried adjusting the valve and can’t seem to dial it in. What am I doing wrong?
Thank you

Also sorry just saw the date, you probably already have all this figured out ‍♂

 

[Kirstin]

Also sorry just saw the date, you probably already have all this figured out ‍♂

Thank you so much for the responce! I have added more water and think, fingers crossed, that it is dialed in. Having a sump is a big learning curve. Thank you for the advice. Really appreciated!