need help with new sump
- Thread starter sandman12
- Start date
waterdog
Member
I am assuming that you are using a hang on overflow and your tank is not plumbed. In that case, it's just a matter of starting the siphon. the way I did mine, was to submurge the whole tube in the water, plug one end with a bathtub stopper or something and hook it back up to where it's supposed to go. After you take out the stopper, the pressure will create a siphon and you will be in business. Hopefully this makes sense. there are a lot of sump questions on the board too. I recommend a search. HTH
hattrick58
Member
I start mine by inserting an air hose into the u tube (from the front to just over the radius of the tube) and suck until the siphon starts.
john bowell
Member
I've tried both of the previous replies and must say that they are very frustrating if you don't have the patience like I don't.
I then got my maxi-jet 1200 and stuck it in the front portion of the overflow and turned it on. Pumping a lot of water through the "J" tube and down to the overflow, then I just turned off the maxi-jet and I was in business.
Remember, whatever powerhead you use, it must be powerful enough to fill the "J" tube with water, and the maxi-jet is POWERFUL and small.
Good Luck!!
I then got my maxi-jet 1200 and stuck it in the front portion of the overflow and turned it on. Pumping a lot of water through the "J" tube and down to the overflow, then I just turned off the maxi-jet and I was in business.
Remember, whatever powerhead you use, it must be powerful enough to fill the "J" tube with water, and the maxi-jet is POWERFUL and small.
Good Luck!!
broomer5
Active Member
Here's the basic "suck out the air" procedure.
Get yourself a length of airline tubing, 3-4 feet long works pretty good.
Return pump off - obviously.
Sump should have "some" saltwater in it - like around 1/2 full or so.
Fill the outer box until the saltwater stops running down the drain. A properly designed overflow will allow some saltwater to remain in the outer box.
Pour some saltwater in the inner box too.
Place the siphon tube in the overflow. There must be saltwater covering both open ends of the siphon tube. Must.
If so, remove the siphon tube again and slip one end of this airline into the siphon, and push it up there until it's open end is just a little past the highest point of the siphon tube.
Hold everything so it doesn't move around on you, and return the siphon tube to the overflow.
Both ends of the siphon are now under saltwater with this airline hanging out a couple feet.
Slide the airline out a little so the end that's in the siphon is at the HIGHEST point in the U tube siphon.
Now - suck the air out of the siphon tube by sucking on the airline with your mouth.
A spit cup is handy right about now - if this is your first attempt.
You'll notice as you draw the air out, that the saltwater in both inner and outer box begins to raise up in the U tube. When you get all the air out, pinch off the airline tubing with your teeth or fingers and pull it out of the siphon tube.
Keep the airline pinched off while you're doing this or air will rush back in through the airline tubing and you'll lose some of the saltwater in the siphon tube.
Once the U tube is filled - you have now "primed" the siphon, and it should be safe to turn on your pump.
If this is your first time doing this, you may want a couple few gallons of saltwater mixed up on hand. You may notice a small drop in your sump or wet/dry, and will need to add some more water. How much all depends on each person's set up.
Get yourself a length of airline tubing, 3-4 feet long works pretty good.
Return pump off - obviously.
Sump should have "some" saltwater in it - like around 1/2 full or so.
Fill the outer box until the saltwater stops running down the drain. A properly designed overflow will allow some saltwater to remain in the outer box.
Pour some saltwater in the inner box too.
Place the siphon tube in the overflow. There must be saltwater covering both open ends of the siphon tube. Must.
If so, remove the siphon tube again and slip one end of this airline into the siphon, and push it up there until it's open end is just a little past the highest point of the siphon tube.
Hold everything so it doesn't move around on you, and return the siphon tube to the overflow.
Both ends of the siphon are now under saltwater with this airline hanging out a couple feet.
Slide the airline out a little so the end that's in the siphon is at the HIGHEST point in the U tube siphon.
Now - suck the air out of the siphon tube by sucking on the airline with your mouth.
A spit cup is handy right about now - if this is your first attempt.
You'll notice as you draw the air out, that the saltwater in both inner and outer box begins to raise up in the U tube. When you get all the air out, pinch off the airline tubing with your teeth or fingers and pull it out of the siphon tube.
Keep the airline pinched off while you're doing this or air will rush back in through the airline tubing and you'll lose some of the saltwater in the siphon tube.
Once the U tube is filled - you have now "primed" the siphon, and it should be safe to turn on your pump.
If this is your first time doing this, you may want a couple few gallons of saltwater mixed up on hand. You may notice a small drop in your sump or wet/dry, and will need to add some more water. How much all depends on each person's set up.
