Skimmer location

I would remove the live rock rubble from the equation. Running it like this is basically building a wet/dry filter which can cause nitrates if not properly maintained. Removing this section would also make room for a bigger fuge. You could put all that rubble in the fuge with CUC to keep it clean and working well

 

Seriously.... that is one of the most foolish things I have heard in quite some time. So the guy is worried that after the fuge.... the skimmer might skim out some pods.... so his solution is to put the blender in the fuge... the "refugium" the place pods get peace from predators to grow.... so it can sit there and skim out your whole pod population? Seriously? That is HORRIBLE advice.

The best flow is to have the fuge on one side, and the skimmer on the other side and the return section in the middle. If all your sections are in line flowing to the return section at the end....then there is no "BEST".

The skimmer being first will skim out nutrients the fuge needs to grow on. It will skim out food the pods need to grow. The fuge should get raw water from the DT.

The skimmer being second will probably chew up some pods and what not. The coral does not feed on Pods...they feed on the larvae of the pods.... the rest of the tank will eat pods. It is a food chain.

Either way skimmer first or last, does not give you the ability to control the flow through your fuge. All your overflow flow is going through your fuge. A refugium needs to be a nice calm place. Slow flow.

It is easy to build a sump. Is it the end of the world how you have it now... no, not really. It just isn't ideal.

And yes... get rid of the rubble... it serves no useful purpose except a detritus trap and perhaps bubble abatement.