Sump design, ideas / comments please!!

So this is my first design, i've looked all around the internet but wanted something simple and I only have about the space available that I created it.

Check it out and please let me know what won't work out since I am a newb and this is my first sump/design. I was questioning the baffles and the water lines. What I drew up is what I expect but I am not the greatest physicist in the world so input would be much appreciated

 

Your thinking in the right direction, the only change I would recommend is to flip flop the refugium and the return sections . this will put the return in the center and allow you to control the flow of water thru the fuge seperate from the rest.

a few good writups
http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/basics-filtration-79766.html
http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/basics-flow-78711.html
http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

 

I see, so then I would need to split the intake, no problem. One question I had was about the baffles. Are they spaced correctly and the middle raised enough to prevent the micro bubbles? Does the skimmer need more room or it is enough room that it can suck and flow through...

 

Spacing on the bubble trap: 1" between baffles, middle baffle 1" off sump floor will work fine.

 

Apparently I suck at research sometimes so I had to ask even though I swear I read that somewhere 38 times. I just want the biggest bang out of the size I have available.

 

Ok here is the modified design, everything look kosher to you guys?

 

looking good, now the last change I would make is to make the return section at least 6 inches wide, this is where all the evaporation that will happen will show up, so you want it to hold enough water to prevent the pump running dry in between top offs.

 

Great, so I can just shrink the ref. a little bit. Where would the water be consistent in the sump so I can mark the water level??

 

the baffles in the skimmer section will set the water height to a steady level there, same with the refuge wall,( I would make it at least 10" tall) it will keep a consistent level in the fuge. mark a min. water level at least 1" above the top of the return pump and a max level at just below the top of the fuge wall.
note: I cut 5 1" teeth into the corner of my fuge wall for the overflow, this way it keeps the top of the fuge skimmed and limits the amount of water flowing out of the fuge to a manageable flow. you can also use the flow as a visual que when adjusting the amount of water draining into the fuge, like your DT overflow the amount of water flowing into the fuge will determine the overflow rate which should be about 10% of total tank volume per hour.

 

Sump looks good with the addition of making the return section a bit larger. As far as your water level that will be determined by your flow.