Refugium flow problem!

I'm trying to get my ref. to start flowing but have a problem. Here is a diagram of my set-up except that I'm not using the U-tube in the diagram that goes from the W/D to the Ref. because my P.S. is pump driven and the return hose is extended allthe way across to the W/D.

This is my P.S.


The problem I'm having is that my water isn't flowing from the Ref. area to the P.S. area fast enough and my P.S. starts to run dry because of this. Any ideas on what to do? Water flow is open full and still not fast enough. Could it be that my divider is to restrictive? Please help me out.

 

Protein skimmer would be better utilized in the sump, not the fuge. And it should be dumping it's clean water back into the same area that it gets it from.

 

Reeron....your eveywhere The reason I was running it like this is because when I had it set-up back in the days, there was really no space for the return pump AND the P.S. plus I also wanted to add the Ref. I don't know what to do now:-[

 

I agree with Reeron. The PS needs to be in the sump. Do you have some sort of gravity feed from the fuge to the sump? If you have some sort of pump system, it is unlikely that it is going to work. Gravity down and one pump back to the main tank. I don't see why a J tube wouldn't work here if that is your only option. Another option would be to drill a bulkhead in the fuge about three quarters the way up and let gravity feed into the wet/dry. Let me know if I am thinking on the right track.

Peace.......John.

 

OK, I am a dork, let me rethink this.....I think I see what it going on.

 

OK. Now I see it. You're return pump is too powerful. It's output needs to roughly match the total input into the sump. If you could get that J tube working and move the PS out of the fuge, you would have 100% water flow into the sump.

That being settled, you just have to regulate the return. There are valves you can buy (my Rio2100 has one I use so I don't blast water through my UV) that will decrease flow to the return.

That's it really, just matching the overflow with the return.

Remember, Gravity feed down and one pump up. Don't try to do a pump from the fuge to the sump. I just cannot see it working under any circumstance. You would be adjusting it constantly. Hope this helps. Hope I am right!!! John.

 

Thanks for all the input....let me go fiddle with it LOL!