Help needed starting Sump fist time.

jbeanz24 · Jan 11, 2014

Hey everyone , I have a 120g with a 30g oceanic sump. I wanted to know what are the steps to get my sump running for the first time and how do I figure out my max fill.

RalphsReef · Jan 11, 2014

Make sure your plumbing is all set, then fire it up. Check for leaks. After the sump has reached the level it will run at, cut the power off. This will help you determine your max fill as if the sump is too full, you will have a flood. I use a small piece of tape to mark my min/max fill. You can adjust your return flow nozzle to allow less water to back-syphon into the sump when the power goes out. Or, you can install check valves. Check valves fail over time, however.

LPSGUY · Jan 12, 2014

What ralph says....just start at a lower level at first when you turn the power out so you don't have a spill

VicD81 · Jan 14, 2014

I am about to start my system up as soon as I decide which pump I want. All I am going to do is fill the tank to the point where it starts draining into the sump then fill my sump half way. Start it up (make sure it don't run dry) shut if off and see how much siphons back into the tank (That would be the max). I am installing siphon breaks on my returns also.