multiple more noobish sump questions

[dad_jsp]

OK, so I picked up a 180g tank and it came with a few extras. One of those being a 29g sump. I am very nervous about setting the sump up as I have never used one before. The questions are and in no particular order:

How do I know what level to place the over-flow?
How do I know how much water I need to put in the sump's tank?
When I do water changes, will the sump run itself dry? I am sure the over-flow will stop sending water to the pump.
When I feed the fish, do I turn the pump off or block the over-flow? I would hate to waste the food.

I am sure there will be more questions as I see some of the answers.

I just don't want to come home to a empty tank and a wet floor

 

[billylee]

First, get another sump.
29g is too small for a 180g unless u plan on adding some
other filtration. U need about a 55g sump.

 

[NOLAGT]

29 gal is probably enough to handle the water if the power goes out but it might be cramped for bio filtration. A 55 would be a better size for sure but a 29 would work.

I am guessing its a hang on the back overflow. If so you can put it anywhere on the back of the tank. And adjust how far it hangs into the aquarium so the water level when its running will be behind the top plastic strip of the tank but not all the way to the top of the tank.

Once the system is running the water in the sump needs to be high enough so the intake of the return pump does not suck air in. Also what you should do is, once its running and you have enough water in the sump....turn the pump off and let the excess water from the tank flow into the sump. The water will rise in the sump and once its finished you can add water to the sump so it goes to the top of the 29 gal tank. Now when you turn the pump on it will go back to normal and you will want to mark with a marker where the water level is. Now that is your MAX water level when the system is running. That way if power goes out it wont overflow the 29 gal. As water evaps from the tank it will lower the water in the sump not in the tank. So after a few days you pump will start sucking air and you will see that you need to add water. Now you know how much you can safely add. You can also set up a auto top off system for about 60-75 bucks that will prolong the time between you adding water. Also make sure you drill siphon brake holes on the ruturn water pipe. Just above the water line....drill a small hole. Water will come out so make sure its drilled so it goes back in the tank. So when the power goes off it will suck air in and brake siphon so it doesnt suck excess water out the tank through the return nozzle. Think of the gravel vac you use to suck the water and trash out the tank.


When doing waterchanges turn the pump off it will drain the sump and run the pump dry.

When feeding you dont have to turn the pump off but food will go into the overflow and be wasted. I would turn the pump off when you feed. BUT set a timer if you walk away and forget your fish will not be happy.

 

[JoelR]

OK, so I picked up a 180g tank and it came with a few extras. One of those being a 29g sump. I am very nervous about setting the sump up as I have never used one before. The questions are and in no particular order:

How do I know what level to place the over-flow?
How do I know how much water I need to put in the sump's tank?
When I do water changes, will the sump run itself dry? I am sure the over-flow will stop sending water to the pump.
When I feed the fish, do I turn the pump off or block the over-flow? I would hate to waste the food.

I am sure there will be more questions as I see some of the answers.

I just don't want to come home to a empty tank and a wet floor

Fill the sump just over half way full.

You set the overflow to where you want the water level to be in the tank. Fill the tank until the water just starts to run into the overflow.

Depending on the type of overflow, you likely have to put some water in part that is in the tank and in the center chamber or where the tubes go into the part outside the tank. Put a piece of airline tubing in the tube to the highest point, put the tube in place (in the overflow) and suck the air out of the tube. Quickly pull the airline out. Now the tube is primed.

Turn on the pump and watch the level in the tank and the sump. If the pump sucks air, you'll need to put more water in. You'll have to adjust the height of the overflow to get the tanks water level where you want.


Turn off the pump when you do water changes. Wait a min. for the water to stop flowing before you remove any water. That way, when you fill the tank back up, you know when to stop. Just after the water starts to go into the overflow. If the sump was a little low when you started, let it fill for an extra min or so after the water goes into the overflow. Just keep an eye on the sumps water level.

As far as feeding goes. I turn mine off when I feed floating food. Otherwise it goes right in the overflow. When I feed flake though,,, I just pinch it and put it under water so it doesn't float. That way you don't have to turn it off.


I hope that helped.

 

[uncwnells]

good luck, I had the same problems when setting up my wet dry whe I first got it!

 

[dad_jsp]

I figured the sump was to small for the 180g, so it will be going on the 90g instead. I have 2 AC110's, an FX5 and a fluidized bed filter for the 180g. I think that will be plenty. I also have an AC110 to go on the 90g with the sump. I just like to feel I am way over filtered, because I always think I am over stocked

Thank you for the tips on the sump. I will try it over the weekend, so I have time to spend if I run into problems

 

[NOLAGT]

Its not too hard so dont worry about setting it up. Also having the wetdry is great for bio filtration...I also like another filter for mech filtration. So running the ac110 with the wetdry will be a great combo! On my 240 im setting up I will have a wet dry and canisters. No bio stuff in the canisters...just mech stuff.

 

[West1]

I figured the sump was to small for the 180g, so it will be going on the 90g instead. I have 2 AC110's, an FX5 and a fluidized bed filter for the 180g. I think that will be plenty. I also have an AC110 to go on the 90g with the sump. I just like to feel I am way over filtered, because I always think I am over stocked

Thank you for the tips on the sump. I will try it over the weekend, so I have time to spend if I run into problems

This is what I do everytime i do a water change.........
RE:Sump level. When filling up the tank again, i let the water fill up and pass the over flow as the water goes to the sump (with the Pump off). This lets me see how high the water will be incase of a power outtage and I dont have to worry about the water over filling the sump. Also, I have a small 1/16 hole on the out take of the plumbing to stop the water from back flow. Once I get the desired height on in the sump, I turn on my pump and no more worries for me.

Water level was just right cause I set it with the pump off
No back flow cause the hole is the interuption of it (I have the hole about 1/16 under the water surface to also create more aeriation in the tank)

G/L

Also if you have a hang on overflow box, you will have to get it started with a waterhose in the cyphon

 

[West1]

One more thing.... JMO........ in the return going to the sump from the tank, I have a Sock attatched to it. Not a filter sock but one of my clean socks that I dont want anymore. It reallllllllllllllllly made a big difference from the filter sock and the Target sock. It keeps my water looking nice and clear. I do have that sock resting on a filter pad and ceramic rings under that... folowed by a heafty bag of bioballs

I rinse the sock out every water change too and replace it with a new one every time I change my own socks......... every 3 months
(The tank sock is true but not the socks on my feet)

I would clean out your Sump with a nice good rinse (NO SOAP!!!) once every 4-6 months.

I have a 300gl and I clean out my sump every 6 months

 

[JoelR]

Also if you have a hang on overflow box, you will have to get it started with a waterhose in the cyphon

?? Why ??? Just use an airline tube to suck the air out of the U tube or tubes.