Sump water height

[IIDRYWATERII]

Hi

Just ready to fill the sump… how high sould I fill it… picture below on what I was thinking…. About an inch from the top.

 

[fish farmer]

Why so high? Are you using it for a refugium? Will you have a skimmer in there? That will dictate a proper level for skimmer operation. I usually run my pumps just over the return pump, usually no more than half full....you need empty space for back feed of display water during a power outtage.

 

[exnisstech]

^this^

 

[slowngreen]

Seems real high to me. I prefer to keep it as low as possible, high enough for the skimmer to work but low enough incase of back flow during a power outtage or if ato stuck on.

 

[IIDRYWATERII]

Why so high? Are you using it for a refugium? Will you have a skimmer in there? That will dictate a proper level for skimmer operation. I usually run my pumps just over the return pump, usually no more than half full....you need empty space for back feed of display water during a power outtage.

First time sump, chamber to left of red line is skimmer….. chamber to the right refugium

 

[ChiCity]

you need enough room for backflow into the sump when the power is out…
otherwise, you’re going to get salt water
all over your floors

 

[IIDRYWATERII]

Just getting info off YouTube… said to fill display till water starts to go down drain into sump and stop…. Then fill sump to top ish… then put return pump on and sump level will drop… then shouldn’t get any flood…

If there’s a better way let me know again new to sump’s

 

[fish farmer]

Just getting info off YouTube… said to fill display till water starts to go down drain into sump and stop…. Then fill sump to top ish… then put return pump on and sump level will drop… then shouldn’t get any flood…

If there’s a better way let me know again new to sump’s

Sure...but have your gear in there as well before that test.

What is the operating height of your skimmer? Mine needs about 7 to 8 inches of water depth, any higher and the skimmer floods and WILL flood during a power outtage when the level reaches the top of my sump.

 

[IIDRYWATERII]

Sure...but have your gear in there as well before that test.

What is the operating height of your skimmer? Mine needs about 7 to 8 inches of water depth, any higher and the skimmer floods and WILL flood during a power outtage when the level reaches the top of my sump.

Using Red Sea 600

 

[IIDRYWATERII]

20cm height

 

[Lavey29]

The sump should have water level marking points on it so you know what level to fill to.

 

[Llyod276]

A DIY sump. I run mine that high, more water is less noise and MORE water.
Skimmers yes pay attention. But remember, you can set a skimmer on something to boost it to its proper height. All you need is enough ta capture the excess from overflow and return pump. Unless you installed check valves on your plumbing...

 

[SnowyFox]

Check valves seem like a flood waiting to happen when they eventually fail on you at some point down the road

 

[IIDRYWATERII]

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The sump should have water level marking points on it so you know what level to fill to

It’s a custom tank build, no water fill line that I can see

 

[Llyod276]

75g dt, 29g sump, the empty chamber has the skimmer now. Yes mine is adjustable, I've left it high on purpose though... because the i want more water in the return section and I can't have both low skimmer and high return, just doesn't work...
When mine backflows, it is about 2" from rim of sump tank... ~7 gallons.

 

[IIDRYWATERII]

Am I best running the level at 20cm for the skimmer then leaves plenty for when the pump is off?

 

[Llyod276]

You wont know until the tank is up and running. 20cm is what approx 10" so yeah thats prolly quite full. Nothing is aboslute until you fill the display and then sump.

 

[IIDRYWATERII]

And I adjust the sump height by valve on my drain? Or slow the return pump down?

 

[Lavey29]

And I adjust the sump height by valve on my drain? Or slow the return pump down?

Both can affect the sump but primarily use the valve. If you are running the pump to high it will drain the sump because the natural overflow down can't keep up.

 

[IIDRYWATERII]

thanks
Last question which I mentioned in another post but would like more input….

Can you see the hose run for the reef mat to be an issue? Got it running under it then back up…