Return pump,skimmer,Calcium reactor

Sounds abit confusing I know. Heres the question. On the new setup I planned on using a Mag9 for the return from the sump. The turboflotor will be fed from a small pump as well as the Calcium reactor. Now I got to thinking sense the overflow can handle a bigger flow I was thinking about going up to a mag12 and running small feed lines to the skimmer and reactor. that way I have less pumps and cords all over the place. Is this a good idea or should I stick to my original plans.
How does everyone feed there Reactors or in some cases there skimmers.

MINIATUS

 

My reactor is fed by Gravity and then an Eheim pump used to circ the water.
I am running a MAG 12 as a return and a MAG 18 for my Skimmer

My thoughts on running everything off on pump are:
-Upgrading you skimmer or CA reactor as you become addicted to building with Acrylic will mean you will have to re plumb your tank.
-Maintenance on skimmer CA reactor will mean shutting down return as well.
-component failure is means re plumb or shut down of everything at once.

Not the worse things but may be a pain over time. I sure can see the benefits with less power consumption. Less heat

Jason

 

I was thinking of adding a shut off for the lines to the skimmer and Calcium reactor.So when I did work on the 2 I would still have the return running.With shut offs I can turn them off permanetly If I upgraded skimmer and Reactor. So IYHO I woulds better not to run off of the return.

MINIATUS

 

I think you'll have a hard time with it. Flow control to each device and plumbing causing flow restriction may be more hassle than it's worth. But don't write it off lets hear some other opinions people!!!

J

 

Good Idea.
I just realized I'm a snail.

MINIATUS