[oldsaltman]

Is enough air getting into the open channel, or is it acting as siphon as well?

Yes, I have even taken the cap off it and it makes no diffrence.

What happens when you swap the roles of the siphon and open channel? Do the startup problems persist?

Yes, doesn't change anything.

You drilled holes above the waterline on the siphon standpipe correct?

Yes, I even tried moving the drain pipes up above the sump water level to see what happened and it didn't help

It sounds like the open channel is running at a partial siphon and refusing to give up its flow before the siphon standpipe is able to purge the air. Are you sure the siphon standpipe is air tight? Are any bubbles ejected from it during "regulated" operation?

It has to be air tight I don't see any way air could enter it, and I see no bubbles during it's normal opperation. I THINK THIS IS THE PROBLEM I JUST CAN'T FIND THE CURE.