Sump/refugium setup

I've searched refugiums here on 3reef for the last three hours and I cannot find the answer to my question. I will be setting up a more permanent sump which will include a refugium. Every design I see shows a section for inlet/protein skimmer, then a section for the return pump, then on the far right side is the refugium. Well wouldn't it make more sense to have the water from the overflow going over the refugium section and then have the return section on the far right? I feel like this would make for better water movement in the refugium section and the bottom line is that it would be easier to make.

What are your thoughts?

-Doratus

 

you can design it however you like. you will get opinions on what has worked for others, but there are tons of folks that have the return in the middle, and on the ends. its really how you want to plumb your sump. I think what's important is having your return into the tank at the opposite end of your overflow, but you can accomplish that with plumbing.

 

This is so a slOwer flOw can be achieved in the fuge. Also allows for increased flow in the sump, skimmer area where higher turnover is desired. Prevents pods from being skimmed out as well.

 

Here you go

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

You can do what ever you want, but for best results with all parts involved, the return should be in the middle so you can control flow to both sections.

 

I agree, see attached pic for my sump...

 

This pic is kinda hard to see but this is my simple sump. Basically you have the protein skimmer hanging on the left side, you have a pile of live rock in the middle, and the return pump on the right side near the top of the water so that it doesn't pump everything into the display tank if the overflow siphon breaks.

Obviously this is a very simple and temporary design, but do you see any reason why I should go out and make a new proper sump today instead of next week or maybe even next month?



Thanks again,
Doratus

 

I like that...

 

you could do the return int he middle with a t on the inlet and have fresh tank water go to the left and right of the sump and out your skimmer on one side and you refugium on the other side, trhats what im goin t ot do on my 75 gallon

 

Read the article and decide what is best for your system.

There is no reason you have to change anything, other than you are not really accomplishing much by what you are doing. You can configure your sytem in any of a hundred ways... but learn why you want to do it, figure out what it is you want to accomplish, then configure your sytem the best way to do what you want it to do.

If you want a sump, a good refugium, and no bubbles in the display tank, save power and heat, supply your equipment..then the best way to do that is to have a standard design with a bubble trap between the skimmer and the return, the return in the middle, and the drain from the tank split to supply both.

 

The whole idea for a sump originally was just to hide some equipment and to eliminate the sound from the protein skimmer. The fact that the sump has chaeto and is being lit 24hrs adds stability overall, I think. Also, this pile of live rock in the sump should, with any luck, support pods.

*running equipment 24/7
*food source

With only these two goals in mind, I think my current setup is just fine. Would you agree or disagree?