Sicce Syncra SDC 6.0 not pumping

[PointerReefs]

Hey Reefers,

I am setting up a new tank right now and getting everything hooked up electronics wise, and my return pump of all things is not doing its most important job, pumping.
I was able to connect to the ContrAll app and identify it with WiFi and i turned it on with a lagoon schedule at the preset 50% rate but nothing happens on the actual pump side of things.. controller shows it’s turned up and connected etc. but the pump doesn’t even make a noise or anything. However I have now noticed I keep getting Dry running protection errors every few minutes and I’d suspect this is the culprit but it is very submerged in water.

 

[PointerReefs]

 

[painter1982]

I fixed this very problem on two of mine by taking them apart and soaking in vinegar for a couple hours. Citric acid wasn’t strong enough.

 

[PointerReefs]

I fixed this very problem on two of mine by taking them apart and soaking in vinegar for a couple hours. Citric acid wasn’t strong enough.

Even though this pumps brand new?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Very dumb questions I'm sure, but - Did you connect the pump wire to the controller? Did you try to unplug it and plug it back in?

 

[PointerReefs]

Unfortunately yeah I did. It can only connect one way too.

 

[painter1982]

I fixed this very problem on two of mine by taking them apart and soaking in vinegar for a couple hours. Citric acid wasn’t strong enough.

Even though this pumps brand new?

Mine had been running. Maybe get ahold of sicce.

 

[coralSLover]

Hey Reefers,

I am setting up a new tank right now and getting everything hooked up electronics wise, and my return pump of all things is not doing its most important job, pumping.
I was able to connect to the ContrAll app and identify it with WiFi and i turned it on with a lagoon schedule at the preset 50% rate but nothing happens on the actual pump side of things.. controller shows it’s turned up and connected etc. but the pump doesn’t even make a noise or anything. However I have now noticed I keep getting Dry running protection errors every few minutes and I’d suspect this is the culprit but it is very submerged in water.

That’s frustrating, but you’re probably on the right track with the error.
On these pumps, dry-run protection can false-trigger during first setup, especially if there’s any trapped air in the volute or the pump wasn’t powered once fully flooded. Even if it looks submerged, an air pocket can keep the sensor unhappy and prevent the motor from even attempting to spin.
A few quick things most people try with success: fully unplug the pump and controller for a couple minutes, then reseat the pump underwater and manually tilt/rotate it to burp any trapped air before powering it back up. Make sure the intake isn’t restricted by foam or a snug chamber and that the impeller spins freely by hand. If the controller lets you, temporarily disable dry-run protection for testing.
If it still never even clicks or hums, there’s a decent chance you’ve got a DOA pump or a bad controller cable. Unfortunately it happens. At least since it’s new, that’s a straight warranty replacement.

 

[PointerReefs]

Hey Reefers,

I am setting up a new tank right now and getting everything hooked up electronics wise, and my return pump of all things is not doing its most important job, pumping.
I was able to connect to the ContrAll app and identify it with WiFi and i turned it on with a lagoon schedule at the preset 50% rate but nothing happens on the actual pump side of things.. controller shows it’s turned up and connected etc. but the pump doesn’t even make a noise or anything. However I have now noticed I keep getting Dry running protection errors every few minutes and I’d suspect this is the culprit but it is very submerged in water.

That’s frustrating, but you’re probably on the right track with the error.
On these pumps, dry-run protection can false-trigger during first setup, especially if there’s any trapped air in the volute or the pump wasn’t powered once fully flooded. Even if it looks submerged, an air pocket can keep the sensor unhappy and prevent the motor from even attempting to spin.
A few quick things most people try with success: fully unplug the pump and controller for a couple minutes, then reseat the pump underwater and manually tilt/rotate it to burp any trapped air before powering it back up. Make sure the intake isn’t restricted by foam or a snug chamber and that the impeller spins freely by hand. If the controller lets you, temporarily disable dry-run protection for testing.
If it still never even clicks or hums, there’s a decent chance you’ve got a DOA pump or a bad controller cable. Unfortunately it happens. At least since it’s new, that’s a straight warranty replacement.

Trying to figure out a way to disable the dry run protection but I can’t seem to find anything unfortunately.. contacted Sicce and they told me to hook it up in line straight to power bypassing the controller but I’d already tried that without any success. Hoping they will be able to replace it for me or provide a better solution. Close to just ordering a Vectra M2 from Ecotech so I can get going and try to get a refund for this pump. But we will see how it plays out I suppose. Very disappointing out of the box.

 

[areefer01]

Trying to figure out a way to disable the dry run protection but I can’t seem to find anything unfortunately.. contacted Sicce and they told me to hook it up in line straight to power bypassing the controller but I’d already tried that without any success. Hoping they will be able to replace it for me or provide a better solution. Close to just ordering a Vectra M2 from Ecotech so I can get going and try to get a refund for this pump. But we will see how it plays out I suppose. Very disappointing out of the box.

First - give SICCE a chance to resolve the issue. Sounds like you made contact which is a good start.

Second - did you purchase online or LFS? If the purchase was recent can you swap out with the LFS? If online, reach out to them and see if they can start a swap. That way you can do work in parallel. If this is say off Amazon initiate a return/replace. That will give you time to troubleshoot while a new unit is in route. Win, win, as you can return within 30 days.

Lastly - Vectra - I have not owned one but SICCE has a 5 year warranty vs 1 (I understand you are having a issue now though so sort of tarnishes that warranty part). I guess my point is you went with SICCE for a reason, see what you both can work out. I would not pick up a Vectra without returning the other so you are not out money. If that makes sense.

 

[PointerReefs]

Trying to figure out a way to disable the dry run protection but I can’t seem to find anything unfortunately.. contacted Sicce and they told me to hook it up in line straight to power bypassing the controller but I’d already tried that without any success. Hoping they will be able to replace it for me or provide a better solution. Close to just ordering a Vectra M2 from Ecotech so I can get going and try to get a refund for this pump. But we will see how it plays out I suppose. Very disappointing out of the box.

First - give SICCE a chance to resolve the issue. Sounds like you made contact which is a good start.

Second - did you purchase online or LFS? If the purchase was recent can you swap out with the LFS? If online, reach out to them and see if they can start a swap. That way you can do work in parallel. If this is say off Amazon initiate a return/replace. That will give you time to troubleshoot while a new unit is in route. Win, win, as you can return within 30 days.

Lastly - Vectra - I have not owned one but SICCE has a 5 year warranty vs 1 (I understand you are having a issue now though so sort of tarnishes that warranty part). I guess my point is you went with SICCE for a reason, see what you both can work out. I would not pick up a Vectra without returning the other so you are not out money. If that makes sense.

Picked up the pump from saltwateraquariums site. It’s been sitting in my closet for maybe 4 months though as I’ve been waiting on my tank to actually show up it’s been intended to go in. Didn’t expect it to not work. :/ but absolutely will be waiting to see how SICCE can help. I run their pumps on my other tanks but this is the first larger one I’ve had..

 

[areefer01]

Picked up the pump from saltwateraquariums site. It’s been sitting in my closet for maybe 4 months though as I’ve been waiting on my tank to actually show up it’s been intended to go in. Didn’t expect it to not work. :/ but absolutely will be waiting to see how SICCE can help. I run their pumps on my other tanks but this is the first larger one I’ve had..

Ah, makes sense. If you haven't you could always shoot them a message, order number, and see what they can do. It is not an unreasonable request in my opinion. Sort of keeps multiple pokers in the fire if you will.

Having said that another think you could try, if you are comfortable, is to take it apart and put back together. It is a new pump as you mentioned earlier and this should not be something that is needed to be done. But in the off chance somehow sitting the impeller / volute got stuck.

Maintenance and cleaning is a normal task so should not void the warranty. Outside of that not sure what else it could be. You may have already mentioned this but can you remove it, place it in a bucket of water, and test it there to remove all other plumbing lines? Only reason why I mention this is that I had Neptune Cor 20 that was not working on my skimmer. Couldn't figure out why but no bubbles, nothing. I reached out to Neptune and they had me try a few things and then suggested I buy a new body since the driver appeared good. Not a huge deal, so I did. Same issue. Support said on a whim take it out, place in a bucket, and see what is going on.

Long story short I did and we saw that the new motor block was working as was the original. The culprit was actually a stombus grazer snail lodged in the skimmers venturi blocking it. So the pump was actually working but the venturi being blocked reduced it such that it did not appear to be working. False positive if you will. The bucket test showed it to be working and the problem was elsewhere.

Neptune offered to take the motor block back but I kept it for a spare :)

Anyway not sure any of this helped you but trying to just spit ball here of things you can do in parallel should you have time.

 

[PointerReefs]

Picked up the pump from saltwateraquariums site. It’s been sitting in my closet for maybe 4 months though as I’ve been waiting on my tank to actually show up it’s been intended to go in. Didn’t expect it to not work. :/ but absolutely will be waiting to see how SICCE can help. I run their pumps on my other tanks but this is the first larger one I’ve had..

Ah, makes sense. If you haven't you could always shoot them a message, order number, and see what they can do. It is not an unreasonable request in my opinion. Sort of keeps multiple pokers in the fire if you will.

Having said that another think you could try, if you are comfortable, is to take it apart and put back together. It is a new pump as you mentioned earlier and this should not be something that is needed to be done. But in the off chance somehow sitting the impeller / volute got stuck.

Maintenance and cleaning is a normal task so should not void the warranty. Outside of that not sure what else it could be. You may have already mentioned this but can you remove it, place it in a bucket of water, and test it there to remove all other plumbing lines? Only reason why I mention this is that I had Neptune Cor 20 that was not working on my skimmer. Couldn't figure out why but no bubbles, nothing. I reached out to Neptune and they had me try a few things and then suggested I buy a new body since the driver appeared good. Not a huge deal, so I did. Same issue. Support said on a whim take it out, place in a bucket, and see what is going on.

Long story short I did and we saw that the new motor block was working as was the original. The culprit was actually a stombus grazer snail lodged in the skimmers venturi blocking it. So the pump was actually working but the venturi being blocked reduced it such that it did not appear to be working. False positive if you will. The bucket test showed it to be working and the problem was elsewhere.

Neptune offered to take the motor block back but I kept it for a spare :)

Anyway not sure any of this helped you but trying to just spit ball here of things you can do in parallel should you have time.

Dang snails , I just shot them an email as well. Hoping something turns up and I’m not SOL. I’ll try popping it open and see if something is potentially impeding it.. Sicce had initially responded very quickly then disappeared for today at least after I said their fix did not indeed fix

 

[PointerReefs]

Opened it up and pulled the impeller, spun fairly freely no debris (sand was already on this tray I used) doesn’t seem to be any reason it shouldn’t run. I also submerged it in a bucket and kind of moved it around in an attempt to free any possible trapped air that could throw the sensor off but still bricked. Will update when Sicce/saltwateraquarium responds.

 

[BeanAnimal]

That’s frustrating, but you’re probably on the right track with the error.
On these pumps, dry-run protection can false-trigger during first setup, especially if there’s any trapped air in the volute or the pump wasn’t powered once fully flooded. Even if it looks submerged, an air pocket can keep the sensor unhappy and prevent the motor from even attempting to spin.
A few quick things most people try with success: fully unplug the pump and controller for a couple minutes, then reseat the pump underwater and manually tilt/rotate it to burp any trapped air before powering it back up. Make sure the intake isn’t restricted by foam or a snug chamber and that the impeller spins freely by hand. If the controller lets you, temporarily disable dry-run protection for testing.
If it still never even clicks or hums, there’s a decent chance you’ve got a DOA pump or a bad controller cable. Unfortunately it happens. At least since it’s new, that’s a straight warranty replacement.

please stop posting AI generated answers.