Optimal protien skimmer placement... and why?

[huthain]

So im in the process of having a tank delivered soon and im trying to mentally plan everything out.

This is the exact picture of what I am getting, if I were to use this placement of the skimmer then I would be using the extension sump on the right for chaeto and pods. However my concern is that the skimmer is going to be another obstacle for my pods to navigate. Would a better change be putting the skimmer on the right extension and chaeto where the skimmer is in the picture? The only concern with that i jave is electricals and skimmer will be in the same cabinet which if it overflows might cause issues. However that being said i currently have a small tank and yhe sump and electricals are all in one tiny spot and havent faced any issued even though my skimmer has overflown a few times.
Convince me which is better and why?
Thanks!

 

[Sold4jc7]

I wouldn't worry about your Pods navigating the skimmer. They will populate your system. Having the skimmer by the drain will maximize its effectiveness.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

You'll want it in a section with reliable, stable water level. Variations will cause fluctuating efficacy. That section should be faily stable.

Id just offer this caution about poutting it downstreams of a refugium type setup- you'll end up fouling the pump alot with loose chaeto, so it'll be labor intensive.

 

[huthain]

I wouldn't worry about your Pods navigating the skimmer. They will populate your system. Having the skimmer by the drain will maximize its effectiveness.

What is it that makes it more effective there though?

 

[huthain]

You'll want it in a section with reliable, stable water level. Variations will cause fluctuating efficacy. That section should be faily stable.

Id just offer this caution about poutting it downstreams of a refugium type setup- you'll end up fouling the pump alot with loose chaeto, so it'll be labor intensive.

I mean thats another con to why it shouldn't be after the chaeto no? And I would assume both those chambers would be fairly stable wouldnt they?

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I mean thats another con to why it shouldn't be after the chaeto no? And I would assume both those chambers would be fairly stable wouldnt they?

Yes, its a con.

Assuming Im understanding how that sump is flowing, the front chamber will have a high water level in it? The grate teeth on the wall between the front and back seems high than the weir wall between the back and the return chamber. Higher water levels are generally less desirable as they limit how much adjustment you can make.

 

[huthain]

Yes, its a con.

Assuming Im understanding how that sump is flowing, the front chamber will have a high water level in it? The grate teeth on the wall between the front and back seems high than the weir wall between the back and the return chamber. Higher water levels are generally less desirable as they limit how much adjustment you can make.

Sorry I didnt see that part, the grate will be replaced and it will be closed completely. Here's a demonstration from the manual

 

[jmaneyapanda]

In that case (with the water level in the front and back of the sump being identical), Id put it in front, upstream of the refugium.

 

[huthain]

In that case (with the water level in the front and back of the sump being identical), Id put it in front, upstream of the refugium.

Thats what im leaning towards more! Let's see if anyone convinces me otherwise :)

Appreciate you

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Thats what im leaning towards more! Let's see if anyone convinces me otherwise :)

Appreciate you

It'll be easier to service in front too.

 

[huthain]

It'll be easier to service in front too.

100%

 

[lieberca]

I'd be concerned about water turnover if the skimmer were in the downstream compartment. Refugium would benefit from it having the least flow there. But skimming efficiency there might be less than ideal

 

[huthain]

I'd be concerned about water turnover if the skimmer were in the downstream compartment. Refugium would benefit from it having the least flow there. But skimming efficiency there might be less than ideal

Sorry im not sure i understand, so you are saying skimmer first (on the right) and then the next chamber refugium?

 

[lieberca]

Maybe I didn't look close enough--does the return pump sit in the chamber on the far right (per your pic)? I thought the center chamber would house the skimmer and pump, and the rightmost chamber would be refugium with passive flow between it and the center chamber. I think that's how I'd set it up, anyway, to keep the refugium flow minimized

 

[huthain]

Maybe I didn't look close enough--does the return pump sit in the chamber on the far right (per your pic)? I thought the center chamber would house the skimmer and pump, and the rightmost chamber would be refugium with passive flow between it and the center chamber. I think that's how I'd set it up, anyway, to keep the refugium flow minimized

So in the picture water comes down in the mat in one big front chamber then it goes to the extension on the right which is where red sea suggests a fuge but im leaning towards skimmer. Then it goes to the center back chamber which is where the skimmer is but I would want it to be a fuge and then left back is the return in a separate chamber with a sponge as well between the separation. Does that make sense?

 

[lieberca]

Ahhh, my bad. Didn't realize each compartment had dividers to make it a U-shaped flow in/out. I'd remove the divider in the extension and use it as the fuge, just to get a gentler flow pattern in the fuge than the laminar flows in the middle compartment. But I've made several setup changes I thought were best at first and proved otherwise so go with your gut! :]

 

[huthain]

Yea ill likely move things around as I can if I dont feel like it's optimal, but i would like to start on a good basis to begin with and minimise movement as much as possible

Ahhh, my bad. Didn't realize each compartment had dividers to make it a U-shaped flow in/out. I'd remove the divider in the extension and use it as the fuge, just to get a gentler flow pattern in the fuge than the laminar flows in the middle compartment. But I've made several setup changes I thought were best at first and proved otherwise so go with your gut! :]

 

[ShawnSaucier]

as mentioned, chaeto can be messy and get into pumps. I would look at utilizing a chaeto reactor like the Tunze 3181. Very easy to maintain and control.
If this was my tank I would go : overflow ->socks/reefmat/Temp Probe—-> live rock fuge (semi cryptic—> Skimmer /Algae Reactors and Heaters ( large compartment to the right) —-> return pump.
The Semi Cryptic fuge is a great spot to grow sponges and pods. This also allows dosed foods ( Phyto or other) to reach before getting skimmed out.
Pods will definitely make it to your tank just fine.