Sump design (with refugium)

[Marksreef]

Im looking to have a custom sump done so I can finally get a Refugium in it. It has to go under my custom stand and max I can build it would be 30L X 21W
I want to do this once so others who have knowledge, I seek your opinion.
1) Should the return be split where as a small low flow portion goes into the fuge if it is (from left) Into socks and skimmer----return---refugium
Or Into socks---Fuge--- Return. Or is that too much flow .
The Refugium area would be about 12 X 21 Is that sufficient for a heavy 93 gallon ?
The only option to this is a reactor but Id like something to help Pod population.

 

[jda]

Single flow pattern is fine. I think that people think about this too much with regard to which comes first. I would have a place for socks - you can always not use them, but if you need them, then you can put them back on. I do not usually like to run socks, but there are times that I wish that I had them.

Skimmer to fuge to return, or fuge to skimmer to return - all the same to me.

My only real advice is to use black acrylic around the fuge so that light does not spill over and grow too much algae in the rest of the sump. Some of this is unavoidable, but I suggest that you avoid as much as you can.