How do I get my sump setup started?

I have done a couple searches on the forums but havnt found what I'm looking for.

My question is, how do I get everything going? I have a hang on the back overflow box, siphon style, an eshopps sump, and a rio 2100 as my return pump. The tank is already set up using a HOB AC 70 filter. Basically I need to know if there is an order to get this going? Do I fill the sump up with water from the tank or do I fill it up with its own water not using water from the display? Do I start the overflow box siphon before I start the return pump or vise versa. Just a little confused if that makes sense
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I usually have my sump filled up, and yes leave some room to prevent a flood during a power outage. A flood will happen because the pump will stop, but the water will still be siphoning down (both from the overflow line and from the return pump line). You can use fresh saltwater. The same water that you would use for a water change. Or you can use old tank water, like what you took out of the tank from a water change - as long as it wasn't sitting there for a while.

What type of overflow box do you have? I usually turn them on at the same time. My overflow box has an aqualifter pump which starts the siphon for me. And have some extra water handy to make sure the water in the DT is still overflowing into the overflow box. Watch it go for a while to make sure everything is working properly (no leaks etc).

Then cut the power. You want to see what would happen if the power goes out. I have a few holes drilled in the return pump line, below the water level of the DT. This prevents water from siphoning back down into the sump if the pump is turned off.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

 

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