Starting up 75G system need advice on the first turn ons.

[nightmarepl]

hey guys so im new to the whole sump and tank system i always used a biocube
so i built my own sump out of plexiglas, replica of the ruby 36 sump roughly 35 gallons of water
my tank is a rimless 75 gallon with a flow box inside 3 1 inch pipes coming down
2 lines going back into the tank one on the left one on the right
i have a DC return pump 1050 gph max
trying to figure out how to really start this thing up my general plan was to fill in the sand and rock then start filling the main tank up with water till i reach the flow box
then start filling the sump up roughly till my skimmer starts working i guess turn on the return pump then continue to add water till a fill cycle is going on and the water steadies out?
eventually want to add chaeto to the middle chamber " fuge " with some rock and maybe thicker grade sand. thoughts?

 

[Billldg]

I would wait until the tank is running before worrying about running the skimmer. I add water in the tank and let it overflow into the sump. Then turn your return pump on at its lowest setting and then if need be start to add water. You will have to find the balance between the drain flow and return pump.

You can add the rock and sand before adding the water.

 

[New&no clue]

I add sand and rock first, then add water to the sump and turn on the pump. I try to match the pump speed to the amount of water coming in from my mixing station. Having the same amount of water coming in and going out will keep a level amount of water in the sump. When water starts to come back through the drain lines, I turn off the water from my mixing station and let it run for 30ish mins to see how the flow is going. If the sump looks low, I will add more water in, and if the sump seems high, I will take some out.

For the skimmer, IMO, they need some time to break in. While cycling a tank, I turn the skimmer on high and remove the cup, so the water just flows back into the tank. This way, when you start to add fish, your skimmer is ready to go.

 

[nightmarepl]

I add sand and rock first, then add water to the sump and turn on the pump. I try to match the pump speed to the amount of water coming in from my mixing station. Having the same amount of water coming in and going out will keep a level amount of water in the sump. When water starts to come back through the drain lines, I turn off the water from my mixing station and let it run for 30ish mins to see how the flow is going. If the sump looks low, I will add more water in, and if the sump seems high, I will take some out.

For the skimmer, IMO, they need some time to break in. While cycling a tank, I turn the skimmer on high and remove the cup, so the water just flows back into the tank. This way, when you start to add fish, your skimmer is ready to go.

roger that thanks.

 

[nightmarepl]

I would wait until the tank is running before worrying about running the skimmer. I add water in the tank and let it overflow into the sump. Then turn your return pump on at its lowest setting and then if need be start to add water. You will have to find the balance between the drain flow and return pump.

You can add the rock and sand before adding the water.

awesome