How do I start a prime for my sump?

[asm129]

This is my 1st time using a sump so I'm sorry for the newb questions. I have my setup as pictured below, with an external overflow box and 1 tube that goes about 5 inches deep into the water.

I'm having a really hard time trying to prime the water into the external overflow and the sump. I've tried to do it manually by using a plastic tube to suck water into the external box, but it still doesn't work. Any suggestions? Thanks very much.

 

[Ponddigger]

try adding water to the tube until its completely full
the intake needs to be higher than the external overflow tube opening

 

[West1]

I used to use a powerhead to start the flow. I also had drilled a hole In the siphon incase of overflow

 

[asm129]

Thanks for the tips so far. I tried both but still can't start a siphon. Any other ideas?

 

[Dragon Hunter]

something doesn't look right with your setup? what kind of U tube are you using? looks like just a regular hose. how i primed mine was i use some airline hose and put in into the U tube(up to the top of the U). and sucked until water started flowing.

 

[fishtex]

Can you do anything to lower that overflow pipe closer to water level, It looks like it is having to work too hard to make its way up the pipe. I'm no where near an expert but that is what I would try.

 

[asm129]

something doesn't look right with your setup? what kind of U tube are you using? looks like just a regular hose. how i primed mine was i use some airline hose and put in into the U tube(up to the top of the U). and sucked until water started flowing.

You're right, it's just a regular hose. I have a few u tubes that were included with the setup, but they don't extend far down enough into the water. Instead of using the regular hose like I have in the picture, do you think I can cut off a piece of 1 utube, clamp it to another utube and have it work that way?

 

[dmopar74]

hate to burst your bubble, but thats not an overflow box.

 

[asm129]

Oh ok. It just came connected with hoses to a filter sock. It's what the previous owner was using. What is it then and how do I get it set up? I've had it for awhile now and just want to get it up and running finally.