Testing sump in bathtub?

[Otto_VonBacon]

Would it be alright to test a sump in the bathtub? Without the media of course.

I've never done a sump and i want to make sure it all works before i pump 90 gallons of saltwater through it and risk a huge mess.

How else could i test it?

 

[chesterthehero]

i tested mine outside.. its easyer to leave water all over the place than it is to pick it up...

put the sump on the ground and a rubbermaid tub on a table/tailgate/big trashcan/ect and let it rip

if you sump is glass just be sure to put it on level ground
once you move it inside just remember to doublecheck all your fittings.. i put a piece of tape on each fitting as i checked it.. then went through and double checked them and removed the tape...

 

[jmotion]

If you're checking for leaks and flow you could always just route the return line to the intake chamber.

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

heh, i tested it in the bathtub today, was easier lugging it there than down the stairs and outside, plus not as cold

I took out all the media, but i accidentally forgot the bubble sponge thing at the end, so now its soaking wet in tap water. the tank probably won't be set up for awhile. will the sponge get nasty? if so what can i do about it?

 

[Guapote]

Not a bad idea to test it in the bathtub. Continous water and no risk for damage to furniture and such.

When the sponge gets gross, take it out and rinse it.

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

Hmm, another question. are sumps meant to be gravity driven? as in the water enters the intake and drops down the tube to the bio balls then pumped back up the return?

Or do you need two pumps?

 

[Camshaft Ramrod]

gravity

 

[chesterthehero]

Hmm, another question. are sumps meant to be gravity driven? as in the water enters the intake and drops down the tube to the bio balls then pumped back up the return?

Or do you need two pumps?

that is correct... using a pump IN the tank will someday give you a lot of water on the floor to mop up..

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

that is correct... using a pump IN the tank will someday give you a lot of water on the floor to mop up..

tell me about it, i learned the hard way how many gph those pumps can turn out when i forgot to put the other end of the hose in the sump

 

[chesterthehero]

hahahahahhaahaha... trust me.. you are not the first