Refugium before or after skimmer

[David Whitlock]

I have a bashsea smart series sump. I’ve been debating whether I want to do Refugium or skimmer first. What is everyone’s opinion and why? If I do the Refugium first do I still use filter socks?

 

[shakacuz]

personally, i have my in this configuration: drain, skimmer, fuge, return. between the fuge and return there are baffles/bubble trap with a black filter sponge i occasionally rinse/change. i have seen much success with this setup, as well as with the fuge going before the skimmer. i think it's just personal preference.

 

[Lavey29]

I have mine set up fuge then skimmer. There are baffles and sponge bubble trap before return but I'd rather have my skimmer scoop any small chaeto that sneaks through.

 

[Sean_B]

following

 

[David Whitlock]

I have mine set up fuge then skimmer. There are baffles and sponge bubble trap before return but I'd rather have my skimmer scoop any small chaeto that sneaks through.

Do you still use filter socks or does it not work with a Refugium

 

[Lavey29]

Do you still use filter socks or does it not work with a Refugium

From what I have read they recommend filter socks before the fuge to catch detritus and keep detritus out of your fuge. I run one sock before. I have only had mine set up a short while but chaeto is growing well with neptune gro light. I dose chaeto gro twice a week. Is having a positive impact on my nitrates and phosphate and I already see lots of microfauna swimming around in there. I have rock rubble and marinepure spheres. I added a couple peppermint shrimp and trochus snails for any extra detritus and GHA that formed on the glass (better then DT).

 

[Greg P]

It's debatable. Sock before traps all the big stuff, but keeps the 'fuge from reaping the benefits of that food.
Sometime you need to experiment to find the right setup for your own system.

 

[jmichaelh7]

It's debatable. Sock before traps all the big stuff, but keeps the 'fuge from reaping the benefits of that food.
Sometime you need to experiment to find the right setup for your own system.

Won’t the socks catch all the cope pods from display coming down into refugium

 

[mfinn]

I have my skimmer first, then the refugium.

 

[Moderno182]

Hi. Guys I have , socks, refugium and skimmer after! my nitrates and phosphates are very low! but you need to check the bio load that you have! otherwise your caeto can run dry!!!

 

[Detour]

I have the same sump and run the fuge first, as I'm following the Triton method. I do, however, have terrible bubble issues and evaporation with this sump - because my DT is an Aqueon and I don't have a good option for running Herbie overflows/drains. My two 1" drains with Durso standpipes pull in air that this sump design doesn't seem to deal with well. I've been running this sump for a little over a year.

 

[David Whitlock]

I have the same sump and run the fuge first, as I'm following the Triton method. I do, however, have terrible bubble issues and evaporation with this sump - because my DT is an Aqueon and I don't have a good option for running Herbie overflows/drains. My two 1" drains with Durso standpipes pull in air that this sump design doesn't seem to deal with well. I've been running this sump for a little over a year.

I decided to go skimmer first.

 

[Thetankdoctor]

I have a separate fuge. That empties into my pump compartment of my sump. I feel after the skimmer may help feed the tank so to speak. Just my preference

 

[Jeffcb]

My RedSea's tanks are both socks, refugium and then skimmer. Its their design.

 

[Huskervu]

What are the benefits/drawbacks of Skimmer or Refugium first? I was told Skimmer first so copepods don’t get sucked into Skimmer. Thoughts?

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

What are the benefits/drawbacks of Skimmer or Refugium first? I was told Skimmer first so copepods don’t get sucked into Skimmer. Thoughts?

If one of your priorities for the fuge is to provide live food for the fish in your DT then I say skimmer first. If you don't care about that then it's just whatever setup is easier/ more convenient to maintain.

 

[bestfishes]

Because i grow plants in my fuge, its before my skimmer. That way all the nutrients in the tank water hit the plants before the skimmer. It also happens to be my only option due to my sump design. To the earlier question on pods in the sock, yes they will get caught there if you dont remove it after adding and wait some time for them to settle. I usually remove for 24-48 hours to be sure I dont just filter out my purchase.

 

[Conchman]

If the drain is spilt, then it does not matter. This was the only thing I wished I had accounted for in the SCA build. Yes I could have re-plumbed, never got back to it. So without split, then fuge, skimmer...no sock, used the coarse foam pas for detritus...

 

[Huskervu]

Thanks! I’m not planning on growing plants but do want to provide live food so sounds like skimmer first makes sense.

 

[Jay'sReefBugs]

Dont think it matters personally even if your skimmer takes a few it shouldn't effect your population as most successful species are non pelagic