Am I using my sump correctly?

[AnnaG]

Hey, have a second hand CADE 900 that's been a little difficult to setup as I previously had a canister filter, and have had some trouble understanding how everything works- my 2 main questions:

1. In terms of the water level in the sump, I had to make sure that the main drain "output" into the sump, matched with the "input" of the return pump, otherwise if the output flow was say too large for the main drain, the sump would fill up, and my ATO float valve would be covered in water. or if the pump was too strong, and the gate valve was closed too much, the return chamber would just dry up eventually. Does that sound right? Has everyone else had to "match" the flow of the drains to the flow of the pumps?

2. For the float valve ATO, to my understanding, the return chamber will also lose a little water to evaporate- apparently enough to trigger the float valve. the water level is right in the centre of the float valve, so I dont think I need to adjust the water level - but will water evaporate from the return chamber too?

 

[Rmckoy]

The way they are is pretty simple once you use them .

where the over flow goes into the sump it should pass through filter socks , floss or some type of mechanical filtration .

after that there a series of baffles to stop bubbles from making their way to the return chamber .
the last section being the return chamber where the return pump and ato are .
that section is fed by the previous sections but the only section evaporation effects the level .
It’s a previously setup sump so the water level should already have been set .
is there a line drawn on the side of the sump ?

you might need to adjust the location of the float switch for the ato eventually to assure no floods happen

 

[TheBear78]

Assuming that the return pump speed (flow) is adjustable you need to decide on this first as it will affect all the levels as you've already discovered.
There is a wide range of options on this. Some people prefer a high turnover rate, typically ten times the volume every hour while some prefer much lower. What you decide to put in the tank can affect this decision but until then you can adjust it either way at any time. Just be prepared for fine tuning of the return valve.
After that see what Rmckoy said above.

 

[blaxsun]

1. Yes, we all have to "tweak" the gate valve to get the flow balanced with the return pump. While doing this it's a good idea to temporarily disable the ATO.
2. Yes, but water is always being replenished in that chamber - so even though evaporation is occurring elsewhere in the sump you really don't have to worry about the return chamber.