After the aquarium background was applied, we then installed all the parts that came with the AGA MegaFlow overflow plumbing kit by the instructions. Once done, we gently pushed the stand with the tank on it back into position in the corner, and finally we checked and adjusted the centering of the tank to stand alignment at the front and corners.
We then made all the connections for hooking up the wet/dry sump filter to the aquarium, which does not have to been done in any particular order. Here's the way we did it, and you can look at our sump installation photo for a visual understanding of how it all goes together as described.
- 1) Attach the hose that connects the bottom overflow opening down to the sump. This hose came with our plumbing kit.
2) Place the water pump into the sump reservoir area.
3) Install the ball-valve unit in the water return hose line, and secure both ends with clamps.
4) Attach this hose to the pump up to the aquarium water return nozzle connection.
- Water Pump Selection Tip: It's important to know the water flow ratings of your sump and overflow before buying a pump. If it is too powerful, the overflow section fluctuates up and down because it cannot drain fast enough to handle the amount of water going into it, and then when it does catch up, the water gurgles loudly as it gushes down the return hose to the sump. We found this out the hard way by not reading all the information about our system, which was only rated for 600 gph. First we installed a 1800 gph pump, and then replaced it with a 950 unit. Money could have been saved here, because a 700 unit would have been sufficient for the job. By including the installation of the ball-valve in our original plans, both of these pumps worked, but think about it. We have ended up using a 950 pump adjusted down to about 600 gph, which is a waste of energy.
