Water Level in JBJ45 Sump

McGene · Jul 25, 2018

Just set up my first AIO tank. So, working with a built-in sump is new to me. Had a total separate sump on my 125 DT a few years ago.
Question: At what level do you try to maintain the water in the sump? Currently, the water in my center chamber is equal to the chamber that spills into it. Not sure this is the optimum level or not. Currently not running a skimmer -- just using the InTank media basket upgrade.
Thanks,
-gene

FLAdaboy · Jul 25, 2018

I put my water level where it was the quietest. Then I set my ATO sensor at that height. It seems pretty high to me but it’s quiet and effective

NY_Caveman · Jul 25, 2018

In my JBJ 45 Flat Panel I have the water level in the center chamber 1/2” below the overflow chamber with the stock pumps. The overflow is 2” lower than the display. On the JBJ tanks the way the baffles are it is difficult to have the center chamber much lower than that.

McGene · Jul 25, 2018

Thanks for the feedback. I'm experimenting with a water level that will not frighten the fish when I turn the pump back on after turning it off for feeding. I think I've found it. With the pumps running the water level is about 3.5" from the top. One other approach would be to turn off the pump and monitor the level in the sump to ensure that it doesn't overflow.
Currently, I don't have an ATO -- I just manual add RO/DI on a daily basis. It's not a big deal -- so far!

NY_Caveman · Jul 25, 2018

McGene said:
Thanks for the feedback. I'm experimenting with a water level that will not frighten the fish when I turn the pump back on after turning it off for feeding. I think I've found it. With the pumps running the water level is about 3.5" from the top. One other approach would be to turn off the pump and monitor the level in the sump to ensure that it doesn't overflow.
Currently, I don't have an ATO -- I just manual add RO/DI on a daily basis. It's not a big deal -- so far!

That is where my center chamber water line is, 3.5” from the top with pumps running.