Redsea max 500 making awful noise

[kth132]

Just setup my redsea max s500 today the valve in the back has a god awful sucking noise. Like it's sucking in air. Super obnoxious. Any ideas ??

 

[DiefsReef]

it means your not adjusted correctly yet. If its sucking you probably need to close it some until the water return is where you need it. Should have been instructions with the tank on how to adjust.

 

[DiefsReef]

Also a great write up here for your review

How to adjust the gate valve on red sea reefer

This is something i got from red sea so thought id share with you helped me a great deal. The only thing i dont agree with is the fact they recommend water level to be about 1cm below the emergency pipe.. i thing its better and easier to have a slow trickle going through the emergency First...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[fachatga]

Make sure the drain pipe is properly tightened. Air can get in that way and make lots of noise. And try to have the water level fairly close to the top of the overflow emergency drain.

 

[kth132]

I have. The overflow part is fine it's not making the gurgling flushing sound The sound is actually coming from the piping down low in the back

 

[kth132]

It sounds like it's coming from the adjustable flow knob on the pipe ..

 

[Poof No Eyebrows]

It's the diaphragm valve. Adjust it SLOWLY until the water level in the overflow is barely going down the secondary and it should quiet up nicely.

 

[kth132]

It's the diaphragm valve. Adjust it SLOWLY until the water level in the overflow is barely going down the secondary and it should quiet up nicely.

Ok right now I have it where the overflow is about half full. So I should have that all the way full to the point where it's just about going down secondary pipe ??

 

[fachatga]

Yea. That seems to help most people including me.

 

[kth132]

Yea. That seems to help most people including me.

Sounds good I'll try it when I get back to the house shortly thanks for your help

 

[Poof No Eyebrows]

Yes!

 

[kth132]

It seems like no matter which way I turn it the sound does not change whatsoever and I make sure it's tight at the connection

 

[SPR1968]

Ok right now I have it where the overflow is about half full. So I should have that all the way full to the point where it's just about going down secondary pipe ??

Yes, you want it so the water level is just under, or slightly going over into the emergency overflow pipe. I’ve got the S650.

That ‘stupid‘ valve is very sensitive so just do minor adjustments, leave it for a few minutes and then readjust. It should be silent. When not adjusted it makes an almighty racket, I remember when I came down one morning when it was new thinking what the heck is that! Lol

After 4 years I took the valve out of service by adding a standard gate valve in the sump (cut the downpipe in the sump and added the gate valve). The downpipe valve is still in place but wide open and flow is controlled by the gate valve. Why Red Sea don’t do this I do not know!

 

[kth132]

If I push hard on the black wheel that you turn to adjust it the sound gets a little quieter .. so I know it's coming from that valve

 

[kth132]

Yes, you want it so the water level is just under, or slightly going over into the emergency overflow pipe. I’ve got the S650.

That ‘stupid‘ valve is very sensitive so just do minor adjustments, leave it for a few minutes and then readjust. It should be silent. When not adjusted it makes an almighty racket, I remember when I came down one morning when it was new thinking what the heck is that! Lol

After 4 years I took the valve out of service by adding a standard gate valve in the sump (cut the downpipe in the sump and added the gate valve). The downpipe valve is still in place but wide open and flow is controlled by the gate valve. Why Red Sea don’t do this I do not know!

That might be my next thing I try. So you left the valve in place just opened it up and added one further down the pipe closer to sump?

 

[SPR1968]

That might be my next thing I try. So you left the valve in place just opened it up and added one further down the pipe closer to sump?

Yes exactly that, I should have done it years ago. You also then don’t need to leave the 6 inch gap behind the tank.

Get a good quality gate valve for precise adjustment, the main down pipe is 40mm. Just cut the pipe, install the gate, and your good to go.

I did it when adding a roller mat, the X Filter

Theres a picture here, see top right

 

[kth132]

Awesome thank you for the specs and unfortunately I did not leave a 6-inch Gap behind the tank I can barely fit my hand back there so I may be getting a Dremel tool and masking off the sump when I go to cut this pipe LOL. My only concern is leaving that other gate valve in there and have it still making the same noise

 

[kth132]

Assuming I need a 1.5in gate valve ?

 

[SPR1968]

Awesome thank you for the specs and unfortunately I did not leave a 6-inch Gap behind the tank I can barely fit my hand back there so I may be getting a Dremel tool and masking off the sump when I go to cut this pipe LOL. My only concern is leaving that other gate valve in there and have it still making the same noise

You need a 40mm gate valve (1.5 inches is aprox same but you would need to check exact fit for plumbing)

Assuming the RS valve isn’t defective and making a noise, (it shouldn’t be making any noise) just open it right up. You could test it and open it up anyway to see If it’s still noisy. The 6 inch gap is so you can remove it for cleaning. Again why would you add such a thing to a tank when you can use a gate valve........

Oh and when you cut the pipe, remember to do the hand motions across your chest and say the hale Mary etc! Lol

 

[kth132]

Yea I was able to open it up all the way and it went away. Dumb. So gate valve it is. Now I just need to figure out what size that return pipe is for gate valve I can't get behind it to get a good enough grip to loosen it up to take that pipe out for measurements.