Starting up my sump

[suspectcobra]

Alrighty, here we go, so i just got everything i need to start up my sump, the sump (obviously), the overflow box, and return pump and such, my question is once i get the overflow box to siphon when do i know when to plug in my return pump? i know that when you unplug the pump the overflow should stop flowing water into the sump before it overflows, how do you find your running water level? if anyone could explain this in more detail i would be greatly appreciated, also i was wondering how to plumb the return pump? do i just run hose to some pvc? i am using a Mag 3 pump if that helps, but if anyone has pictures of their plumbing setup that would be awesome, thanks.

 

[worrballer]

Is it drilled? Or is it a hang on back overflow?
If it is hang on back (easier with 2 people):
1) Fill the tank
2) Fill the sump. Not all the way, just until the return area is half full. (this is a guess it is mostly trial and error, you don't want to fill the sump all the way and cause an flood when you start things up)
3) Fill the back box of the overflow
4) Start the siphon
5) When the water in the tank starts to drop, plug in the pump.
6) Enjoy!
If it is drilled:
1) Same as above
2) Same as above
3) Plug in the pump (I would have a few extra gallons of saltwater just in case the return runs dry while filling the tank)
4) Enjoy!
The running water level should be low enough to hold the extra water from the pipes and tank without overflowing.
You can calculate how much water that is by:
Tank length x Tank width x Height of water above overflow / 223 = gallons of water that drains to the sump
Example:
29g AGA tank
30"x12"x~1" = 360 / 223 = 1.61 gallons from the tank.
Add two or three gallons for the water, then 3 more gallons for insurance against floods.
So in this example you need your sump to hold 6 gallons of water. Say you have a 20L for your sump:
30x12x?/223=6 ?=3.72 inches from the top
Your mag pump is threaded for 1/2" pipe. Just get some adapters and you can run all PVC. Or you can use the flex hose stuff. It is really straight forward, you just don't want to have leaks.
Also I recommend a ball or gate valve and a union for easy servicing.
Hope this wasn't too confusing and I can explain it if you need. I'll send you a link from a different sight that has the calculator if you don't like math.