Sump configuration - refugium before or after skimmer

[Ross Petersen]

I went with option number 2.
I like the idea of the larger refugium water volume, less energy compared to run option number 3.
Also if I decide to go Triton I can make a few modifications.

Hey there. How did option #2 go for you thus far? I'm finalizing a decision between #1/#2 and #3. In ways I sense option #3 could be overly dependent on the refugium and less flexible compared to a linear / trition style of water flow (should I wish to use chambers for different reasons down the road). Thoughts? I'm aiming for a mixed tank. I'd like to add a UV sterilizer as backup. My gut is to run a separate small manifold pump and keep the return pump solely feeding the display tank. No plans for reactors at present by keeping that door open (say for a calcium reactor) seems prudent. Thanks for any insights!

 

[Ross Petersen]

Skimmer, fuge, return

Skimmer gets first chance at dirtiest water, and pods don’t have to make it past the skimmer to make it to return.

The newer triton style sumps are fuge, skimmer, return, because the want you to leave sump full of macro with the logic that lower, far from light, macro will partially decay and help maintain trace elements on a triton no water change system

@theMeat

Hey there. I'm finalizing a decision between option #1/#2 and #3. In ways, I sense option #3 could be overly dependent on the refugium and less flexible compared to a linear / triton style of water flow (should I wish to use chambers for different reasons down the road). Thoughts? I'm aiming for a mixed tank. I'd like to add a UV sterilizer as a backup. My gut is to run a separate small manifold pump and keep the return pump solely feeding the display tank. No plans for reactors at present by keeping that door open (say for a calcium reactor) seems prudent. Thanks for any insights!

 

[Ross Petersen]

Joe you could plumb it a few ways. You could tee off your drain with a manifold to control flow. Or you could feed it with a small sicce 1.0 or 1.5. I have a few spares I could give you.

My first pick would be tee it off the drain.

Oh yeah 3 for sure.

But you know what they say about opinions. Lol


Oh yeah by the way, I used to have a stand alone 40 breeder fuge, when I moved everything I took it offline. I think I have more pods now than then.

You going bare bottom or sand in the DT? Whoops here comes another thread!

Hey there! I'm finalizing a decision between #1/#2 and #3. In ways, I sense option #3 could be overly dependent on the refugium and less flexible compared to a linear / triton style of water flow (should I wish to use chambers for different reasons down the road). Thoughts? I'm aiming for a mixed tank. I'd like to add a UV sterilizer as a backup. My gut is to run a separate small manifold pump and keep the return pump solely feeding the display tank - go with option #2. No plans for reactors at present by keeping that door open (say for a calcium reactor) seems prudent. Thanks for any insights!

 

[theMeat]

@theMeat

Hey there. I'm finalizing a decision between option #1/#2 and #3. In ways, I sense option #3 could be overly dependent on the refugium and less flexible compared to a linear / triton style of water flow (should I wish to use chambers for different reasons down the road). Thoughts? I'm aiming for a mixed tank. I'd like to add a UV sterilizer as a backup. My gut is to run a separate small manifold pump and keep the return pump solely feeding the display tank. No plans for reactors at present by keeping that door open (say for a calcium reactor) seems prudent. Thanks for any insights!

Personally would go #1 so skimmer gets first chance at dirtiest water. Except if you know going in you want Triton method you should go fuge first, then skimmer, then return. You’l also want 10x display volume return if going triton. You could go layout #1 and do triton “other” method. This way you don’t need special carbon the triton method depends on, and you know/have a visual of if/how macro is growing or not growing, how your nutrient levels are without testing. Because with triton method there are fertilizers in almost all the additives that promote macro growth. So it becomes less clear whether fertilizer or natural tank waste nutrients are growing or not growing macro.
Another noddle to consider with layout is you could have reactor/uv pump from one side of fuge to another to control flow through fuge. Another words, with layout one you could have reactor pump pick up from first chamber and dump into return chamber to bypass/lower flow through middle section. Or the other way around if you want to increase.

With good husbandry, patients and a steady knowledgeable approach any layout can be successful
I would go for #1, and look for around 3-5x display tank volume per hour.

 

[Ross Petersen]

Personally would go #1 so skimmer gets first chance at dirtiest water. Except if you know going in you want Triton method you should go fuge first, then skimmer, then return. You’l also want 10x display volume return if going triton. You could go layout #1 and do triton “other” method. This way you don’t need special carbon the triton method depends on, and you know/have a visual of if/how macro is growing or not growing, how your nutrient levels are without testing. Because with triton method there are fertilizers in almost all the additives that promote macro growth. So it becomes less clear whether fertilizer or natural tank waste nutrients are growing or not growing macro.
Another noddle to consider with layout is you could have reactor/uv pump from one side of fuge to another to control flow through fuge. Another words, with layout one you could have reactor pump pick up from first chamber and dump into return chamber to bypass/lower flow through middle section. Or the other way around if you want to increase.

With good husbandry, patients and a steady knowledgeable approach any layout can be successful
I would go for #1, and look for around 3-5x display tank volume per hour.

Thanks. Good content for me to ponder. I have no interest in a triton-only method (at this time anyway). I think 10X flow is too much, don't know if it's cost-effective for me to micro-manage trace minerals, and solely relying on a refugium could be messy. That said, I like the idea of using some chaeto, in the least, to inspire my student with all the cool science.

 

[vetteguy53081]

After, but here's a few ideas !!

 

[Ross Petersen]

After, but here's a few ideas !!

Thanks, some nice visuals for sure. Much appreciated.