need advice on this sump

riche · Nov 3, 2014

Ok I picked this up over the weekend along with a better skimmer

So I was thinking of leaving it like it is, and putting the skimmer in the 3rd section, the first two are to narrow. The first is the water intake, the second I was going to put filter floss.

Then the 3rd section is huge, and I was thinking of putting the fuge in there and then the return area, but in the picture you can see there is a little box with baffles that are 6" high and 6" wide but they have big holes. I was thinking of adding a baffle about 6-8" to the right and making that my fuge and then the rest would be for the return, I will be using a in sump return

Here are a few pictures

ebushrow · Nov 3, 2014

If you plan on a reef, filter floss will be a nitrate sponge....fuge is best where flow is a bit limited and you wouldn't suck up macro algae in the return pump. Since its acrylic, I would suggest adding a piece in the 3rd section for the return pump and the skimmer.....if your pump is external, I woud do the same but put the divider lengthwise. Just a suggestion.

riche · Nov 3, 2014

ok I will skip the filter floss, but the skimmer I want to put before the fuge. I was going to add a third baffle in the large area at the end to make the return area and fuge. Should I put the fuge at the end and let it flow over into the return area? I could put a very small pump in there to add flow

ebushrow · Nov 4, 2014

I would put the fuge before the skimmer so that your macro algae will be able to get the nutrients from the tank, then the skimmer so it pulls everything out that is left, otherwise your macro may die. You can put it in the same section as your return pump without issue (usually). If you are steadfast at putting the skimmer first, then realize the potential outcome for the macro. Also, do not put a powerhead in the fuge....there should be no reason to do that, it will likely cause more issues than help. Also, remember these are suggestions, there are many ways to do this, I am not sure anyone is an "expert" on any of this, I am just explaining what I have found over time so don't feel offended by anything here.

riche · Nov 4, 2014

does the size of the fuge matter if it goes before the skimmer?

heathd.hd · Nov 4, 2014

Mine goes refugium, return, skimmer, ato. I'm having good results this way. I also have a wp 10 power head in my refugium area. I've read numerous places that macros like flow and your going to want your cheato rolling to keep it getting light on all sides. I added a bubble trap in the return section after this picture but you get the idea.

riche · Nov 4, 2014

heathd.hd said:
Mine goes refugium, return, skimmer, ato. I'm having good results this way. I also have a wp 10 power head in my refugium area. I've read numerous places that macros like flow and your going to want your cheato rolling to keep it getting light on all sides. I added a bubble trap in the return section after this picture but you get the idea.

Do you have a picture of the sump set up, I cant picture how yours is running based on the Picture