Sump/Fuge help

I just moved from a 55 to a 58 with a 30gal sump/fuge.
Currently I have it set up as follows (from left to right)

intake (4"X12"), LR rubble/skimmer
Fuge (15"X12") sand/LR/heater/cheato/light
return (7"X12")

One of the problems is the intake is so small, it's hard to get a skimmer in there. And I figure putting the skimmer in the fuge is a nono.

Could I swap the return and intake sides of the sump? This would allow me to fit a bigger skimmer, but the baffles would be towards the return side.

 

Can you upload a pictures of the baffle layout? If you switch sides you will need to top-off more often due the smaller size of the return area.

 

Sump Pic

Here's a link to a pic of the sump, I couldn't get the pic to load:

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m192/atcaw94/SUMPMedium.jpg

 

I posted a link to a pic of the sump. Whatcha think?

 

Just as I thought. The problem you will run into is the baffles need to go tallest to smallest starting from the intake and ending at the return section. If you switch the flow your intake/skimmer and fuge compartment will become one body of water that will have to be high enough to over flow into the new return area. This could potentially let sand flow back over the first baffle and into the skimmer compartment.

Here is what I recommend:

Cut the silicon away on the first two baffles coming out of your intake section. This should let them loose. Now re-silicon them in the same layout as they are now on the other side of the third baffle. This will take a little bit of room away from your fuge but will keep the baffle layout that is working for you and give you some more room in the intake for a skimmer.

 

That's a good idea. I don't think there are to many skimmers that will fit in the 4" section, although I could just do a HOB. Whatcha think?

 

I would just go HOB. Seems like a lot less trouble and in the end you want your fuge and return area to be as big as possible.

 

By that pic, you already have your skimmer attached to the sump. ???

 

It's a borrowed Seaclone (I think) hanging on the side of the sump.
What about the Octopus recirculating skimmers? Do those sit outside the sump? Seems I read that you run your hose from your overflow into the skimmer and then in to the sump.