Need help with Red Sea Reefer 170

[polarbeard]

I just started up my used Red Sea Reefer 170 a few weeks ago. I’m having issues with the overflow level when I feed. When I put my pump on feed mode, the pump stops and obviously the level in the overflow goes down. The problem is when the pumps go back on and start flowing again the overflow level never goes back to where it started and I have to adjust the flow valve going to the sump in the cabinet. Every time. I try and let it go and see if it will even out but it doesn’t. Sometimes the water level in the return will be high and go into the secondary drain and sometimes it will be low and start sucking air.
Does anyone have any ideas? Surely you’re not supposed to have to adjust that valve every time. Maybe I just haven’t found the correct sweet spot with my adjustments?

 

[exnisstech]

I ran my 170 for 6 years. While the red sea downpipe valve is finicky I didn't have to adjust it just because I stopped my return pump for a short period. Maybe disassemble and clean the valve and see if that helps is all I can think of unless the pump isn't returning to the same setting (assuming you have a DC pump)

EDIT: I kept my overflow level so there was just a slight trickle going down the emergency drain.

 

[polarbeard]

I ran my 170 for 6 years. While the red sea downpipe valve is finicky I didn't have to adjust it just because I stopped my return pump for a short period. Maybe disassemble and clean the valve and see if that helps is all I can think of unless the pump isn't returning to the same setting (assuming you have a DC pump)

EDIT: I kept my overflow level so there was just a slight trickle going down the emergency drain.

Thanks for the reply. Before I started filling the system I took everything apart including that valve and cleaned it. I am using a DC pump, I didn’t think about it possibly not going back to the same speed. That is a possibility. I might try and adjust the level to where you had yours. I usually try and keep mine about an inch below that emergency drain. I couldn’t find any info on what that level should be so I just picked that.
I’m glad at least that it’s supposed to be stable and you’re not supposed to have to constantly adjust it. Hopefully it’s just me needing to keep disking it in to the perfect spot.

 

[polarbeard]

Here is the controller I’m using

 

[exnisstech]

I would try increasing the level and see if that helps. I had a hard time getting mine dialed in at first.

 

[Lavey29]

I ran my 170 for 6 years. While the red sea downpipe valve is finicky I didn't have to adjust it just because I stopped my return pump for a short period. Maybe disassemble and clean the valve and see if that helps is all I can think of unless the pump isn't returning to the same setting (assuming you have a DC pump)

EDIT: I kept my overflow level so there was just a slight trickle going down the emergency drain.

I do the same with the drain pipe

 

[Lavey29]

Thanks for the reply. Before I started filling the system I took everything apart including that valve and cleaned it. I am using a DC pump, I didn’t think about it possibly not going back to the same speed. That is a possibility. I might try and adjust the level to where you had yours. I usually try and keep mine about an inch below that emergency drain. I couldn’t find any info on what that level should be so I just picked that.
I’m glad at least that it’s supposed to be stable and you’re not supposed to have to constantly adjust it. Hopefully it’s just me needing to keep disking it in to the perfect spot.

I've got the XL300 and tried early on to keep the return about an inch below the emergency pipe but it never stayed consistent. Now for the past 4 years it just trickles down the emergency pipe and I have no level issues. I never use feed mode either. Just let that food blow everywhere so the whole tank, not just fish get some.

 

[polarbeard]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I’ll adjust the height to the emergency overflow and see how that works.

 

[polarbeard]

I would try increasing the level and see if that helps. I had a hard time getting mine dialed in at first.

I've got the XL300 and tried early on to keep the return about an inch below the emergency pipe but it never stayed consistent. Now for the past 4 years it just trickles down the emergency pipe and I have no level issues. I never use feed mode either. Just let that food blow everywhere so the whole tank, not just fish get some.

Well, y’all were spot on. I increased the overflow level up to the emergency drain and now it goes right back to that same level every time. Thanks for the help.

 

[BryanM]

All I can say is my redsea drain valve was finicky. I didn't have to adjust it every time, but I definitely had to adjust it every 2-3 weeks.