Questions on sump water flow and water level

[scoopsthedog]

So in my sump on my 50G SCA I'm seeing what looks like water stagnation on the top in the middle section and return section. Right now I have water dumping thru a sock and then into the skimmer then the middle section is bare (going to be a refugium) and then the return. My return is 690GPH should I increase that? Can I stick a small PH in the middle to draw water in from the skimmer area? Thanks.

 

[scoopsthedog]

Oh and one more thing my water level in the sump is a bit high which is when noticed the stagnation would lowering it help?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Oh and one more thing my water level in the sump is a bit high which is when noticed the stagnation would lowering it help?

As far as water level in the sump goes, as long as the water level doesn't overflow the sump when the power to the return pump is off, your good.

Dead places in the sump causing stagnant/film on the water surface, it's perfectly fine to run a small powerhead to break the surface. I do this in my 125 sump at the return side because of the length of the sump. Works very well.