Plumbing the Refugium

So I need some input on which is the best way to plumb the refugium.. Here are a couple of drawings I just came up with... Thanks everyone!!

 

The drain in general needs to be like drawing #2. The vast majority of your flow will be open to the skimmer. Only a small amount goes to the fuge.

If you use a wye like in #3 that would be best. Regardless how you split your drain, you need to keep a consistent flow to the fuge. Teeing off a big vertical drain line like you have in one and two will not get much water. There is a lot of air and water falling in the drain, it is not a full pipe under pressure.

 

drawing #2 is the winner

 

So if I went with #2, does it matter where the ball valve is? Should it be closer to the tee or closer to the outlet.... Or does it not matter?

 

Where the valve is makes no difference. I read the drawing wrong.... actually, what I was talking about is represented better in Drawing #1.

Your drain line needs to be completely open from bulkhead to skimmer to allow all the flow you need. you only need 10-20% of that flow directed to the fuge. By using a tee and going to the fuge off the bottom of the drain line like you have, you would have a solid consistent flow to the fuge and the rest would be free to go to the skimmer. Does that make sense?

 

It makes sense. But are you saying that #1 is the best option?

 

Your sum/fuge is setup the way I would. I read it wrong to mean your plumbing was somehow maximized for one side or the other. NM.

So plumbing is just plumbing. No real right or wrong black or white. The two ways that have the best chance at working good are #1 and #2. Some folks have their drain coming straight down from the tank and dumping into the skimmer section. then they tee'ed off of that and could not get water to the fuge just because like I said... the drain is full of air and water. some even put a valve on the drain going to the sump so they can "back-up" water over to the fuge.... VERY bad idea.

So you just need to plumb it is such a way as to come off the bottom of a horizontal run, or teed lik eyou have it in #1, or even using a wye would be good.

 

thanks Powerman.... This is my first DIY sump.. All my previous filters were wet/dry..

 

is your tank drilled? or does it have an over flow box? mines got a box so i got a dual over flow and plumb one to the sump other to fuge.

 

I think #3 is almost your best bet but instead of a "Y" use a "T" with the sump/skimmer feed lines going out horizontally. That way, water hits the bottom of the "T" and goes left or right. If you put a ball valve on the fuge side, only so much water can go out that side.

This is how I did mine although my fuge is a seperate tank and not installed yet in this pic. I put a valve on both sides for maintenance purposes.