Trying to get sump working! Help!

[bbvabeach]

Hi,
I am trying to get my sump working. I have a 50 gallon tank with an Aquatic Life Sytems over-flow box feeding to an Oceanic Reef Ready sump with a return pump back to the aquarium. The over-flow box has a sticker with the company's web site
My question.....how do I start the syphon? There is a J tube from the box in the tank to a box in the back that leads down by hose to the sump.....I've filled both chambers.....what next?
Thanks! It's got to be easy......but I can't figure it out!!!!!!!

 

[spline9]

I think I may have a fix...
Your sump should have some water in it, use that water and submerge the j/u-tube.
Get some plastic (like a sandwich bag or seran wrap) and rubberbands (the small ones you get from the LFS work great).
Now cover each end of the tube with the plastic and rubberband them shut.
Removing the tube from the water, you should now have a u/j-tube filled with water. Place it in the overflow box (which also should be filled with water.)
Now get something to push off the plastic from both ends. Once both sides are open, your siphon should start.
Once you do it a couple times, its real easy and you can do this in a snap. Good luck!

 

[bbvabeach]

Thanks......
I tried another method (recommended by my brother)......take a small air tube and run it up into the "J" tube and suck out the air.
It did work but that sure was very nasty salty water to drink at 7:00 AM! I will use your method in the future!
Thanks again!

 

[spline9]

Oh good, I thought about trying the method you used but that seemed like it required a lot of effort to get all that air out. I was shown the method I explained above by a trusted LFS. Works like a charm each time.