Sump testing

So finally got some time to finish up my overflow and sump just did the testing on it.

So in first pic is my overflow. Changed it abit, used an old gravel vac's pipe for the part inside the tank so you can't really see the pipe as if i had used the white pvc.

So hooked the overflow up to the bucket in the pic and my pump in the sump to test if its all working ok. All went well, so turned off the return pump let access water drain to test the "power outtage", switched pump back on and i had a little problem the bucket would have overflowed. Then i noticed that not all the air was out off the siphon. So i stopped everything re-stablished my siphon ensuring there is no air. Did the same test and everything was 100%.

Just now have to add the extra pvc to overflow so that it goes into my sump then i can hook it up to tank.

So now for a question. When changing over to the sump how do i keep my existing bacteria? till new bacteria has formed in my sump? Was planning on using the pump from my internal cannister for return pump seeing that it's a 1400l/ph pump. Can i then just add my media from cannister to media from sump so that there is some bacteria or must i get another pump and hook up sump and let internal cannister run till sump is established?

Regards

Reinhard

 

You could add the media to your sump. But if you internal cannister is one of those submersal filters then why not just leave it like that in the sump to filter the water as it pumps back to the tank and allow new bacteria to establish in your filtration section

 

Thanks @The Hitman

Was thinking of doing that, and then just remove that media when the others in sump is colonized.

 

thats exactly it.

 

I did the same sump conversion a few months back. I used a 1000L/hr powerhead as a return pump, but as it has to pump upwards the flow rate is reduced a lot. I would leave the internal filter in and get a strong return pump(2000 L/hr+). Once the filter material in your sump is colonized you can remove the internal filter if you wish.

 

I have got a new return pump 1800l/h for my sump. Ive used 40mm pvc for the overflow into sump. The pump pumps to fast so wil pump the sump dry. I thought that the pvc will be wide enough to have suffiecent flow to keep up with the pump. Is there a way to let the water drain faster? Or should i put an valve on the return line to reduce flow to the tank?