Overflow / Sump help

PNWReefer17 · Nov 16, 2017

Looking for some different opinions here. Not new to aquariums or saltwater but this is my first attempt at using overflows and a sump....ever. As you can see, the overflows on the back of my tank are identical in size, height and design. Here is my question. Based on what you see, what would be the best method (effective, economical & aesthetically pleasing) way to plumb this setup. My sump is also not equipped for filter socks. Wondering if it would be ok to fill the first small chamber with live rock rubble to start the filtration process before it hits the skimmer / refugium chamber. The red boxes in the first picture are my overflows and the yellow line is the center brace. Also I was thinking about creating a separate chamber within the large chamber to isolate the skimmer. Thoughts?

tdjma · Nov 16, 2017

If your first stage is rock and Rubble all the Overflow waste is going to build up inside that and cause major nitrate problems

tdjma · Nov 16, 2017

PNWReefer17 said:
Looking for some different opinions here. Not new to aquariums or saltwater but this is my first attempt at using overflows and a sump....ever. As you can see, the overflows on the back of my tank are identical in size, height and design. Here is my question. Based on what you see, what would be the best method (effective, economical & aesthetically pleasing) way to plumb this setup. My sump is also not equipped for filter socks. Wondering if it would be ok to fill the first small chamber with live rock rubble to start the filtration process before it hits the skimmer / refugium chamber. The red boxes in the first picture are my overflows and the yellow line is the center brace. Also I was thinking about creating a separate chamber within the large chamber to isolate the skimmer. Thoughts?

You could put a wrap of filter in each overflow box as a prefilter

PNWReefer17 · Nov 21, 2017

After talking to a few guys, I think I'm going to shed those overflows and turn them into returns and install a ghost overflow to the other side and plumb that down to the sump.

Pros and cons to ghost overflows would be great!