RLSS R5-i protein skimmer?

B-SMOOTH · Jun 18, 2017

mr70ss said:
I have to agree with you I'm very happy thus far with how it's working. I also have mine set at 100%. The main reason i wanted to try a dc pump is the ability to ramp the power down during a feeding and it works great. I also upgraded the dc2500h controller to the "apex ready" version, and also setup a float switch on the sump so if the sump level rises it will trigger the skimmer to ramp the speed down and not overflow.

Hello @mr70ss

I ordered the same skimmer around the same time, and from the same place, and I've just now finally got my tank up and running. Was your pump initially noisy?

I feel the pump is making way to much noise for a DC pump. It's a steady but loud hum. I'm not sure if my expectations of "silent" are too high, but I really feel like this thing should be much quieter.

I've taken the pump apart and examined it, and everything looks fine. Did yours need a period of time to break in? I've only been running mine for about 48hrs, but I'm worried.

Any insight you can share is greatly appreciated.

** edit-
added a quick vid. All the noise you hear is solely from the skimmer, and it's actually a bit louder than the video conveys.

DukeOfSavoy · Jun 18, 2017

When mine first starts up it sounds like a jet turbine, but it's far from noisy at all. It's in a sump next to my tank(not inside a stand) and my head is like 2ft from it when I sleep.
I took my pump apart when I got my first R5i(have two, on seperate systems), cause I wanted to look at the impeller design and it was a nightmare to put back together correctly. My only thought is that when you disassembled yours it may not have been put together absolutely perfectly.
As far a break in time, I ran mine in a bucket of vinegar/water solution for about 24hrs and had some light brown foam in the collection cup which I'm assuming was dirt/oil from manufacturing and storage. After the vinegar bath I would say it took about 3days to be fully broken in, and I've not had a single problem with it since.
I would suggest you try the vinegar bath just to rule out any problems that might be fixable, but if the problem persists I would contact RLSS and see what they have to say. Usually the D.C. Pumps are the same as AC pumps, as far as noise, unless it's a brushless DC motor.

Hope that helps

B-SMOOTH · Jun 18, 2017

DukeOfSavoy said:
When mine first starts up it sounds like a jet turbine, but it's far from noisy at all. It's in a sump next to my tank(not inside a stand) and my head is like 2ft from it when I sleep.
I took my pump apart when I got my first R5i(have two, on seperate systems), cause I wanted to look at the impeller design and it was a nightmare to put back together correctly. My only thought is that when you disassembled yours it may not have been put together absolutely perfectly.
As far a break in time, I ran mine in a bucket of vinegar/water solution for about 24hrs and had some light brown foam in the collection cup which I'm assuming was dirt/oil from manufacturing and storage. After the vinegar bath I would say it took about 3days to be fully broken in, and I've not had a single problem with it since.
I would suggest you try the vinegar bath just to rule out any problems that might be fixable, but if the problem persists I would contact RLSS and see what they have to say. Usually the D.C. Pumps are the same as AC pumps, as far as noise, unless it's a brushless DC motor.

Hope that helps

Thanks for the reply Duke.

Out of curiosity, do your pumps have two white washers/0 rings at the bottom of the impeller? Mine does ... I'm guess to provide aditonal stability and dampening?

Anyways, I've taken the thing about several times and reassembled hoping that I might have missed something. Each time, I ensure the that ruber gasket is properly seated and that the needle wheel is locked into the black plastic baseplate. Each time I power up, I get that turbine spooling up sound, but then it doesn't quiet down. It's downright loud.

I'm going to tinker around with it some more and try the vineagar bath. I'll reach out to RLSS tomorrow, but from what I'm reading regarding this punp, people's interactions with RLSS haven't exactly been stellar when trying to get issues addressed. Keeping my fingers crossed...

mr70ss · Jun 30, 2017

Thats a bummer b-smooth, no mine is not loud at all, but it is also inside a stand... I do get the turbine spool up noise but that's it. I just tore mine down for a full cleaning (first time since i stated it). It's still running strong and yes mine has the 2 white washers on the back of the impeller shaft.

Forsaken77 · Jul 1, 2017

I have researched this skimmer line before because I thought it to be a good value and functions well. After Googling problems with RLSS, I decided against it.

People were having a ton of the same problems. It was either the pump or controller, can't remember now. But the main thing was that RLSS was not responding to people with these issues still under warranty. They were saying it's impossible to get in touch with them and the after sale support was nonexistent.

Obviously not everyone is going to have an issue. It's just that when I was checking them out last year, this is what I read. That's why I decided against their brand. I think it was the Waveline pump kept messing up and wouldn't stay at the speed the controller was set to, but don't quote me on it. I just remember a bunch of people with the same problem.

icedgxe · Nov 29, 2017

I just got mine up and running about a week ago and everything seems good so far. I had it running at 9” and recently made a tans to bring it up to around 6”. What is everyone running theirs at?

MrSkumfrog · Nov 29, 2017

icedgxe said:
I just got mine up and running about a week ago and everything seems good so far. I had it running at 9” and recently made a tans to bring it up to around 6”. What is everyone running theirs at?

Where did you buy it from?