Sump order?

[ekoed]

A question from a beginner...
Does it matter what order things are in the sump?
For example I have a protein skimmer, a reactor, and I would like to set up a refugium to establish some copepods. Does the refugium have to be last? I’m asking because I’m not sure how the pods will get through all of the other stuff to get back to the display area. Sorry if that’s dumb, but like I said I’m totally new to this. My tank is going to be an innovative marine 40g

 

[ryeguyy84]

I've had fuge/skimmer/return, I've also had skimmer/fuge/return. Never noticed a difference.

Return is always last though

 

[LIreefguy]

The order doesn’t really matter At least doesn’t matter much

I normally do refugium then skimmer. My logic is I rather the Marco algae get all the nutrients from the tank before the skimmer takes it out. But I will admit other way is just as good

 

[Dom]

My skimmer is in the return chamber and my fuge is the chamber before it. I like to give my fuge the opportunity to take out as much as it needs before the skimmer removes the rest.

 

[Dom]

Return is always last though

Good idea

 

[ekoed]

My skimmer is in the return chamber and my fuge is the chamber before it. I like to give my fuge the opportunity to take out as much as it needs before the skimmer removes the rest.

Hey that’s a great idea. Thanks!

 

[ryeguyy84]

Just make sure the water level stays consistent in the return section and you have room for the extra water when you turn everything off. My skimmer runs in 8in of water but my return section is 6 inches otherwise I'd have a flood.

 

[lapin]

Here is my thought. First the skimmer. Second the fuge. Last is the return with reactor. You dont want a bunch of junk going into your reactor is why its last. Skimmer removes maybe 25% of stuff if your lucky. The fuge will allow the other junk to settle and give your pods and critters something to eat. The live pods ect... will make it thru the pump, as long as you dont screen them out of the return section.

 

[Earl A]

I would go fuge, skimmer, return. In case you ever want to try the Triton method.