Sump/refug options

[cluanar]

So I have an older aqua sump model #4 which measures right to left 7", 12" 2" 10".

7" intake with 2 intakes and 3 sock holes.
12" is where I have a refugium with chaeto
2" is a sponge baffle where it goes through to return in lower part of chamber
10" is return where I have the skimmer and ATO. there is a small section in back that holds the pump.

The intake is too small as is for the skimmer so I put it in the return.
I will soon add a Kessil H80 over the refug in hopes of chaeto growth.
Anyone see any better option with given sump and hardware? I'd love to have skimmer befor erefug but not sure how I can do that.

 

[Crabs McJones]

So I have an older aqua sump model #4 which measures right to left 7", 12" 2" 10".

7" intake with 2 intakes and 3 sock holes.
12" is where I have a refugium with chaeto
2" is a sponge baffle where it goes through to return in lower part of chamber
10" is return where I have the skimmer and ATO. there is a small section in back that holds the pump.

The intake is too small as is for the skimmer so I put it in the return.
I will soon add a Kessil H80 over the refug in hopes of chaeto growth.
Anyone see any better option with given sump and hardware? I'd love to have skimmer befor erefug but not sure how I can do that.

I had the #2 version of this sump. Had to do the same thing. Skimmer went in the last chamber and refugium was in the center chamber. Unless you remote located the skimmer i dont know of a way to get the skimmer before the fuge in this dump design.

 

[cluanar]

I found this where Aqueon itself puts a skimmer in the return after a refuge ( wet dry ) .

 

[theMeat]

Buy a 30 gal or whatever tank and few pieces of glass and make it yourself

The most efficient location for skimmer is the first chamber.

Build the sump around the skimmer you want

 

[cluanar]

Will copapods even get through that green sponge into the return tank?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Will copapods even get through that green sponge into the return tank?

Oh absolutely. Youd be surprised what those little guys can get through

 

[Water Dog]

I think fuge before skimmer vs skimmer before fuge is is not nearly as big a deal as it seems. Look at all the Triton sumps coming out from manufacturers like Synergy, Trigger, Crystal Reef, etc., they all have their extra large fuge sections before the skimmer chamber n their sump designs.

 

[theMeat]

I think fuge before skimmer vs skimmer before fuge is is not nearly as big a deal as it seems. Look at all the Triton sumps coming out from manufacturers like Synergy, Trigger, Crystal Reef, etc., they all have their extra large fuge sections before the skimmer chamber n their sump designs.

True, but triton method depends on fuge for not only nutrient removal, but wants a full with macro fuge because it works with their stuff for replacing trace elements, and they want you to run carbon. Unless you select triton’s ‘other method” all their additives have fertilizer to enhance macro growth.

It’s not just a matter of fuge in a dif spot.

The most effective location for skimmer to remove as much as possible is in the first chamber, where it gets first chance at dirtiest water coming from tank. Then pods don’t have to pass skimmer before making it to display as well

 

[Water Dog]

Again, if I were the OP, with his current sump situation, I wouldn’t fret too hard over whether the skimmer or the fuge is first or second in line... It’s not a deal breaker as skimmers in general are quite inefficient at removing waste from the water column.

If I was I starting from scratch, sure, that opens up options from which to choose from. But as seen in other styles of sumps out there, having the fuge first in line is not unheard of.

For me, it’s not worth tearing an existing sump apart for what I think are negligible efficiency gains.

 

[cluanar]

Again, if I were the OP, with his current sump situation, I wouldn’t fret too hard over whether the skimmer or the fuge is first or second in line... It’s not a deal breaker as skimmers in general are quite inefficient at removing waste from the water column.

If I was I starting from scratch, sure, that opens up options from which to choose from. But as seen in other styles of sumps out there, having the fuge first in line is not unheard of.

For me, it’s not worth tearing an existing sump apart for what I think are negligible efficiency gains.

Ya i think my biggest issue remains the brown dusting i get in the main display maybe due to 20 nitrates. I also have low calcium though i added kalk to the ATO to hopefully help that. My shiny new refractometer says 1.024 salinity down from 1.032.

When I get home from business trip ill add the kessil H80 to the refug and see if i cant get that growing.

Thanks all, great community.