transitioning to a sump, any advice?

[gwparrothd]

I am making the change tomorrow to a 15 sump, without dividers, from a sump-less setup. For the overflow I have a CRP 300 GPH obx. I am going to install a aqua C skimmer, a heater, 30-50 lbs of LR, and a rio 2100 ruturn. Now i am running the heater and a power filter, with no skimmer, in the tank ( a 40g. breeder). Is there anything that I need to do before or during the transition to the sump or any advice anyone would have for me in making the transition? Thanks a ton to everyone's help in getting me to this point. By the way, in my show tank I have 40 lbs. of LR, 80 lbs. of LS, and two maji-jet 600 powerheads for circulation.

 

[pufferdaddy]

Don't forget to drill a small hole in the return line, just below the water level to break the siphon during power outage.

 

[broomer5]

Sounds like a fun day for you today
As pufferdaddy mentioned, a hole drilled in your PVC return line ( at the spraybar ) will insure a break in the siphon when you turn off the 2100, or at power loss.
Only other thing I can think of is that you will need to mix up some new saltwater ( you probably already have ) and add to sump. Here's important thing - you want the level in the sump to be high enough to allow complete submersion of the Rio, but still allow for water to flow back to sump on power failure without overflowing your sump.
In other words, don't fill the sump up too much with new saltwater. I would experiment several times - fill it a couple inches up over the intakes of the Rio, power up the pump, watch both your tank level and sump levels, and see how it works. Then shut off the pump and note how high the water in sump rises ( simulating power failures ). If you have plenty of room still in your sump level on power loss, then add a little more fresh saltwater. Keep repeating this procedure, always checking levels, adding a little more until you are satisfied.
1) Make sure Overflow Siphon is primed and full.
2) Simulate power failures as you go.
3) Add new water to sump in increments - checking each time to see what happens.
4) Enjoy your new sump
Sorry for long reply - just got carried away

 

[mr . salty]

Only thing I can add is while simulating power outages,keep track of your pretest level in the sump by marking the outside of the sump with a piece of tape.When you have the perfect water level determined,use a permanent marker to label the sump.Then you can tell at a glance when you need to add water,and how much to add.....Also leave youe exsisting filter running for a week or two till the sump has built up the needed bacteria to take over the bio filteration...