Filling a sump with an establish tank

[adamf83]

I'm about to move from my original canister filter setup to a sump, but I'm unclear on exaclty how to fill the sump for the first time.

Do I fill it by simply letting water from the DT through my overflow box into the sump?

Do I start by filling the sump with some new water (RO?) and then top it up with water from the DT?

Is there another way that I haven't thought of?

Any advice appreciated on the steps I need to take.

 

[piranhaman00]

Fill up the DT until right before flowing into overflow, fill sump above return pump, start return pump, dt will fill and start to overflow into sump, continue to add water until you have the sump as full as you want it. Leave room for power off.

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

Use water that you would typically use for a water change. You will need slightly less than whatever your sump capacity is.

 

[adamf83]

Fill up the DT until right before flowing into overflow, fill sump above return pump, start return pump, dt will fill and start to overflow into sump, continue to add water until you have the sump as full as you want it. Leave room for power off.

If my DT water line is already above where it would flow into the overflow, should I simply take some water out of the DT first as if I were doing a water change,then carry on with the steps above?

 

[JoshH]

I would on your regular water change day, fill the sump up 3/4 of the way with freshly mixed saltwater, turn the return pump on and let adjust things to the way you want them. Then add or subtract water volume to get the water height in the sump where you want it.