Tank (filter sock idea) before skimmer

[riche]

I am building the rack that my sump and such will be going on.

The sump will be on the ground and on a shelf above it will be 3 other tanks.

I am going to make one of them my fuge, the other will be a frag tank, the 3rd one(closest to the skimmer below) I was thinking of having my main drain flow into it and then it would drain into the sump.

I am not going to be using filter socks but I want to do something that will catch the "dirt". My LFS has there system set up to where there drain goes into a "catch pan" that has blue filter pad, and then drain's into there sump tank.

If I was to do this, would it be good to throw some live rock in there to help with the filtration?

I would be changing out the filter pad weekly if not sooner, since you just throw it away and put a new piece in.

Let me know if this sounds right or if I should go a different route.

My ATO tank will be on a seperate stand next to this.

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Kyuss414]

If you're using a filter pad then sure, since the pad is essentially acting as a filter sock, and it's before the additional LR. Otherwise the detritus will just get trapped in the rock. Also be really mindful of drain placement between all the tanks so you don't end up with the sump overflowing when the return pump gets shut off.