Fuge plans sanity check

Ive read so much information deciding how to set up a fuge on my tank that im feeling information overload atm. below is my final plan, figured I might as well see if anyone sees any major issues with it before i proceed to do the plumbing and drilling holes in stands.

big questions
1) am I correct that the fuge should feed into the return chamber on the sump and not the main area with skimmer/reactors? or does it not even matter

2) is 10gallons enough/too much for a fuge on a 55g tank. Ive read no more than 5g and other places no less than 20g

 

Looks good. You definitely want the fuge feeding into the return portion.

 

Looks good and yes, fuge to return section. I did put a valve on both sides of my T so that I'd have complete control. Looks like you have a nice system.

Mark

 

ohh i like the 2nd ball valve idea, its only an extra 3 bucks for a nice feature

 

Glad you liked it. I'll give you one more then... put a manifold on your return line so that you can feed and control multiple thing. I have 2 lines back to the display tank, one driving my GFO/GAC reactor, one to a slaved 10 gal tank and one to long flex tube that I use for spraying off LR in the DT for cleaning (recirculating water for cleaning) or water changes. All driven off the sump return pump.

M

 

BTW -- if you are going to do an ATO, you should plan it in now.

M

 

@MMcDonald: not to jack the thread, but now i have use for the fourth outlet on the manifold im getting. great idea for a hose connection for cleanin rock. beats using a turkey baster k+

@rdarris: good design

 

Why is this???

 

I believe that the best reason to have the fuge draining into the return section and not the skimmer section is ...

On main purpose of a fuge is to provide a "refuge" for certain organisms such as amphipods and copepods that can be quickly decimated in the display by predation. The fuge provides a space where their populations are allowed to grow somewhat unchecked. If the fuge drains into the skimmer section many of these beneficial organisms will be skimmed out. Draining to the return section allows them a more direct path to the display where they can provide food for the habitants among other things.

 

That is exactly what I read in several articles. Good explanation

M