Setting up a sump? ATO?

[beaslbob]

OK. so another dumb question!

The only dumb question is the one not asked.,

How high should the sump water be?
...

The three adjustments determine sump water level.

1) no floods with power out. (sump low enough the water draining from the display is contained)

2) normal operation returns power returns.

3) drain failure sump runs dry. (sump low enough to runs dry before display floods.)

Obviously display level plays a part also.

But bottom line is you have to test to make sure it works with your system

my .02

 

[Jon Fishman]

So the different heights of the dividers within the sump have nothing to do with water level?
Thanks!

 

[beaslbob]

So the different heights of the dividers within the sump have nothing to do with water level?
Thanks!

They determine the water level in each section. But the sump is where the system level changes. For instance, add water and the levels in all the dividers and display remain at the same level. But the level in the sump rises. Similarly with evaporation the dividers and display also remain at the same level but the sump lowers.

You use the dividers so say a refugium level is higher and has more water for the macro algae and stuff. And the sump level has a greater variation. If there were no dividers (baring bubbles) everything would be at the same level meaning less for the refugium and more for the sump. Which also makes adjustments for sump level more difficult and less volume for refugium stuff.

my .02

 

[Jon Fishman]

I just ordered a Bubble Magus Elite Curve 5 skimmer...... It will go in the first chamber, Chaeto in the second, and just clean water in the third. Should I put live-rock in any/all of the chambers too? I have plenty, or I could put some crushed coral substrate in there too.......

With good flow in the main tank, are any rocks in the sump necessary, or will it benefit me? and again, does it matter where they go in the sump?