how do you know what your water level in the sump/fuge will be?

[ultimate125]

I'm trying to find out how you know what your water level in the sump/fuge/return chambers will be?

I will have an in sump skimmer that needs to be in at least 4-6 inches of water...I plan on setting it on a stand but how will I know how tall to make it?

[jthao]

fill your tank up to the top of where ever it will start to overlfow, then keep filling the tank up and let it drain into the sump. when the sump is 90% +/-, stop filling the tank and kick on the return pump. This way you know that if the power goes out, the water from the tank will only fill your sump up 90% and when the return pump is on, it will drain down to about 40-50% or whatever you have your baffles at.