Input wanted: my sump/refug design

30 Gallon DT drilled 3 times (1 drain, 2 returns)

Drain Lines are BLUE Returns are REDish

Sump and Refug are 10 Gallon

Skimmer: Coralife 65

Return Pump Mag 9.5

Glass-Holes.com 700 GPH complete overflow kit
Glass-Holes.com dope aquarium stuff : 700 gph Overflow complete kit

2. 1/2" Loc-Line returns
Glass-Holes.com dope aquarium stuff : 1/2 Inch Return Kit


So I want to hear your input, what do you think of this system?

 

I like it but I like keeping things as simple as possible.

Your design would work as is but if it were mine I would move the return from the fuge into the same area as the drain from the DT. I assume the baffles on the left between the drain area and the skimmer are for a bubble trap but I would probably get rid of those two entirely as your water levels are controlled by the baffle to the right of the skimmer and the skimmer adds tons more bubbles than the return from the DT or the fuge.

I would move the baffles you have on the right between fuge return and the pump over to the left and replace the single baffle you have between the skimmer and fuge return section. This would be to keep the water levels from changing too fast as this last chamber with the return pump is going to be where the evaporation in your entire system shows up.

This would leave you with two sections. The drain section on the left with the skimmer in it and the return section on the right with the pump in it.

 

I like it. thanks.. I will take your advise..

 

Looks like you have valves to adjust the flow to the sump and the fuge? Add a valve to the drain line before the "tee", just in case you ever need to work on one of the sumps you won't flood the fuge and vice verca. Also think about a SCWD for the supply to the DT. I've had one going for about 6 months. Its a very simple wave device. Here's the link:

3iQ Ventures

 

Looks good. I had a pretty much the same setup and I would agree everything looks right on except for the baffles. I would keep the first one on the left(the under) lose the next one. Then do the over, under, over right after skimmer and have a nice return area. It will help keep the level good. But either way man it will work. Have you considered also making a sump/fuge in one bigger tank??

 

Thanks. I will def. put this on my to do list

I have, but I already have these tanks. another thing I am still considering is making a long sump/refug from acrylic.. we will see when I begin putting it all together..

 

I ran a test with my Mag 9.5 and dear lord it has some flow! I am not too sure I should use such a big return pump on such a small system. Does this sound right that I should maybe just get a mag 5 instead?

 

bump myself ttt

 

you can always turn valve and cut it down. but if you overflow handles it i say use it or T it into a couple more returns

 

if you go with the large overflow box, you will have to have a return pump that will match it. Now if you go with a smaller overflow box, you could go with a smaller return pump