Diy Sump Question

[ADAM537]

I am working on a new tank build (120 gallon) and need some help. I resently purchased a 40 gallon breeder and plan on making a sump with refugium. I have come across a few different layouts:

1. skimmer- refugium- return

or

2. skimmer- return- refugium

Which layout do you believe would be the best. I think layout #2 because I can slow the water flow in the refugium with a ball valve. What do you think?

[mgloop9656]

return in the middle. split your overflow 3 ways into each compartment. you can control the flow in the skimmer and refugium with ball valves

[ADAM537]

Would You Recommend Bubble Traps On Both Sides?

[ADAM537]

Originally Posted by mgloop9656

return in the middle. split your overflow 3 ways into each compartment. you can control the flow in the skimmer and refugium with ball valves

why split my overflow 3 ways?

[mgloop9656]

1.slow flow for fuge
2. slow flow for skimmer
3. back up water/pressure goes into the pump compartment so you can run the return pump full throttle.

make sense?

[OneDummHikk]

Both scenarios have benefits/drawbacks. Which you choose depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

With the return in the middle, you can double the flow through the sump if the drain in the tank can handle it. The drawback is that your skimmer and/or your fuge is only processing half the water each time.

With the return in the end, it sends all the water through all methods of filtration. Some say thats a drawback because then the fuge and the skimmer are competing for nutrients.

[lagrew]

return in middle is really good if you want the fuge to have a really low flow of water, and you could only pump water into the fuge with a powerhead if you wanted and then slow that down even more if you want.

[Fat Tony]

Here' ya go... here's how I did mine. I'll start ya on page 3 so you can follow alond with how I did the plumbing and built the sump

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f2...-120774-3.html

[crvz]

I've done both of them, and I prefer the skimmer-fuge-return section just because it's easier/simpler. But admittedly, I never really relied on the fuge for much other than pod grow out and a couple phosban reactors.

[ADAM537]

[quote=Fat Tony;1458950]Here' ya go... here's how I did mine. I'll start ya on page 3 so you can follow alond with how I did the plumbing and built the sump




Nice set-up!! I see you have a baffle in your refugium? what is it for?

[Fat Tony]

are you talking about the one that runs across the back wall? if so, that is my Mangrove trough

[firsthesitation]

i personally have used both, originally i had skimmer-return-fuge and i had a 2 way split with a ball valve so i sent more water through my skimmer side. Decided I wanted a bigger return section because it was almost daily running low because I made it too small so I switched to the skimmer-fuge-return. So far I like this method.

[ADAM537]

Originally Posted by Fat Tony

are you talking about the one that runs across the back wall? if so, that is my Mangrove trough

See you learn something everyday!! Thanks.

[ADAM537]

Originally Posted by firsthesitation

i personally have used both, originally i had skimmer-return-fuge and i had a 2 way split with a ball valve so i sent more water through my skimmer side. Decided I wanted a bigger return section because it was almost daily running low because I made it too small so I switched to the skimmer-fuge-return. So far I like this method.

if your return was bigger would you have kept it. because i'm leaning to the skimmer -return- fuge.

[crvz]

Originally Posted by ADAM537

if your return was bigger would you have kept it. because i'm leaning to the skimmer -return- fuge.

or an ATO would have helped the matter, but I still like the fuge in the middle.