Is there a difference?

Is there a difference or benefit between these 2 refugium designs?
I'm in the process of building my 72g.

1. water flows from left to right and only enters from one side. So it would be Skimmer>>>>fuge>>>>return

2. Water enters on 2 sides of the sump via "T-ing" the inlet pipe.... So it would be Skimmer>>>return<<<<fuge....

thanks for the help.

 

The second one is better. You want slower flow through your fuge than through your skimmer compartment. By having separate inputs into the two sides you can put a ball valve in the line to the fuge and dial back flow some.

 

Second is better. You want all the dirty water to go through the fuge first.

 

So if I went with the second one. Do I need a bubble trap on both sides that enter the return section?

 

It would be a good idea to have baflers on both sides to avoid micro bubbles.
I'm working on my sump with the exact same design as yours. Take a look at it, I still have a few questions about it, so I'm holding on the plumbing. I'll be installing the glass baflers today.
Here's the design 3reefers helped me with:

http://www.3reef.com/forums/refugium/my-30long-sump-fuge-design-83124.html

Good luck!

- Mag.

 

Thanks.. Can't wait to see yours so I can get an idea of how it will look. Hope it works out well and look forward to seeing the plumbing as well.