How high do you position the gate between the main section of the V3 sump & the pump chamber?

[Westside Guy]

This is like a which came first question, the chicken or the egg.

I have the V3 sump on my Reefer 250 and as you know if I push the gate down less water goes into the pump section of the sump and if it is raised more water enters. I am trying to find the sweet spot between the gate height, the water flow controlled by the RS valve and the Vectra S1 pump's power setting. Right now after playing with the gate I have approximately 6.5 inches of water in the pump section, should I leave the gate where it is and play with the RS valve and Vectra S1 to get the right flow or should I be adjusting the pump and RS valve before changing the gate's height?

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Interesting setup. Never thought about adding a “gate” to regulate flow

 

[Westside Guy]

The Red Sea sump comes with a gate separating the pump section from the larger part of the sump.

 

[Westside Guy]

 

[Bryson.bobby]

The Red Sea sump comes with a gate separating the pump section from the larger part of the sump.

Oh. That’s pretty cool

 

[Westside Guy]

Oh. That’s pretty cool

It is also refugium ready, all you have to do is slide in the divider that comes with it as you can see in the diagram on the lower left.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

It depends on your skimmer. I set that gate at 8.5 inches the depth that is recomended for my skimmer. I also have a 250 with the v3 sump.

 

[Westside Guy]

It depends on your skimmer. I set that gate at 8.5 inches the depth that is recomended for my skimmer. I also have a 250 with the v3 sump.

Thanks for the quick reply, please clarify, is it 8.5 inches from the bottom of the sump to the top of the gate or is 8.5 the height of the water in the pump section of the sump.

Also what brand is your skimmer?

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Thanks for the quick reply, please clarify, is it 8.5 inches from the bottom of the sump to the top of the gate or is 8.5 the height of the water in the pump section of the sump.

Also what brand is your skimmer?

In the return pump section that is equal to the RedSea ATO float . I trashed their ATO and went with a remote ATO setup. I use the gate that is between the Return and the skimmer setting at 8.5 inches as that is what is recommended for my skimmer (AquaMaxx FS-80) . I then am using the Refug section. The return pump I am using is a ReefOcto Varios 2.

 

[Westside Guy]

In the return pump section that is equal to the RedSea ATO float . I trashed their ATO and went with a remote ATO setup. I use the gate that is between the Return and the skimmer setting at 8.5 inches as that is what is recommended for my skimmer (AquaMaxx FS-80) . I then am using the Refug section. The return pump I am using is a ReefOcto Varios 2.

Would it be possible for you to post some pictures of your setup?
Also are you using their media cups or their filter bags? If the media cups what are you placing inside of them?

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Also set the gate height for the you skimmer that you use. When filling the tank fill the tank with all pumps off let it fill the sump to what looks like everything you want is set . Skimmer section and return pump section Turn in the skimmer as it will take up some water volume. The start adjusting the FLOW valve SLOWLY to get the flow running quietly. Turning the Flow vale to the right decreases the flow from the tank and turning it to the left opens up the flow. Make small adjustments each time and wait about 5 min between the adjustments for it to settle down. I put a small plastic measuring stick in the return section of the sump so I could easily see that water level and use it as a reference to the height in the return section. Once that is stable and flow is quiet you are good to go. REMBER VERY SMALL adjustments and wait

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I am using one media cup and I run Chemi Pure Blue in it and I use one filter sock and change out that sock every 2 to 3 days. If was was doing again and I am still thinking about is cutting out the glass in the sump between where the water comes in and where the sock and cup holder is and installing a Clarisea filter roller I will see if I can get some pictures posted as I am at work ATM.

 

[Westside Guy]

Also set the gate height for the you skimmer that you use. When filling the tank fill the tank with all pumps off let it fill the sump to what looks like everything you want is set . Skimmer section and return pump section Turn in the skimmer as it will take up some water volume. The start adjusting the FLOW valve SLOWLY to get the flow running quietly. Turning the Flow vale to the right decreases the flow from the tank and turning it to the left opens up the flow. Make small adjustments each time and wait about 5 min between the adjustments for it to settle down. I put a small plastic measuring stick in the return section of the sump so I could easily see that water level and use it as a reference to the height in the return section. Once that is stable and flow is quiet you are good to go. REMBER VERY SMALL adjustments and wait

Thanks for the tip, I have learned how sensitive that valve is.

My LFS is installing the skimmer on their next visit, it is the new Red Sea RSK-300. I will watch carefully and make sure he follows your recommendations.

The installer wants the flow in the sump to be really strong and as a result the water level in the overflow area is well below the emergency drain pipe. I personally think it is too loud but the installer says I should have the water rushing into the media cups and not a more gentle flow. This is confusing to me as everyone says to have the water level in the overflow about 1/2-1 inch below the emergency drain pipe and it will be quiet.

 

[Westside Guy]

I am using one media cup and I run Chemi Pure Blue in it and I use one filter sock and change out that sock every 2 to 3 days. If was was doing again and I am still thinking about is cutting out the glass in the sump between where the water comes in and where the sock and cup holder is and installing a Clarisea filter roller I will see if I can get some pictures posted as I am at work ATM.

I went with a second media cup. I placed Chemi Pure Blue in one and I cut out some floss and placed it into the other one.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Thanks for the tip, I have learned how sensitive that valve is.

My LFS is installing the skimmer on their next visit, it is the new Red Sea RSK-300. I will watch carefully and make sure he follows your recommendations.

The installer wants the flow in the sump to be really strong and as a result the water level in the overflow area is well below the emergency drain pipe. I personally think it is too loud but the installer says I should have the water rushing into the media cups and not a more gentle flow. This is confusing to me as everyone says to have the water level in the overflow about 1/2-1 inch below the emergency drain pipe and it will be quiet.

You do want that water level in the overflow about 1/2" below the emergency overflow this will make it totally quiet and you will not suffer any lack of flow because of it. If anything setting the flow to low in the overflow will eventually decrease overall flow

 

[Westside Guy]

You do want that water level in the overflow about 1/2" below the emergency overflow this will make it totally quiet and you will not suffer any lack of flow because of it. If anything setting the flow to low in the overflow will eventually decrease overall flow

That's what I thought, the installer keeps on insisting that the faster the flow in the sump section going to the cups the better it is.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I also added a IM 300ml reactor in the skimmer area and can run additional GFO if needed . Also in the Fog area I have I marine pure plate and 3 Britewell Xport cubes or you could use the Marinepure ones for added Biofiltartion. I actually added one of the as well in the media cub to keep the bag on Chemi pure higher so I get more flow through the bag and not just bypassing.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

That's what I thought, the installer keeps on insisting that the faster the flow in the sump section going to the cups the better it is.

You want the same flow down as your return pump is pumping up.