Are two sumps better than one?

[Solevento]

Greetings All!

I'm resurrecting my 65 gallon acrylic tank that hasn't seen water in 15 years in the hopes of creating a mixed reef. My T*n*c*r has a false back wall with a sump behind, formally filled with carbon and bioballs. My plans this go round are to build a new sump/fuge in the stand, and create a Herbie drain system in the overflow. I'm thinking I'll use the existing area in the back for some additional live rock with a return pump (on the opposite side the overflow).

So:

1) whats the best use of the "back of tank" sump area, and

2) what's the best location for the new return?

Thanks in advance. Love this forum!

 

[whosurcaddie]

Don't be afraid to do a fuge in the back section of your tank. Its really perfect for it. I would do a drain next to the return that way your water overflows and passes through the macro or rock whichever you choose and then drains. Marine pure is a great choice for the back section as well.

Edit - the way its setup you could do both marine pure blocks or balls and macro. Marine pure in the first section then macro in the second. Heaters skimmer and reactors in the sump.

 

[whosurcaddie]

One thing to keep in mind if you do the fuge in the back is accessibility. You need to be able to prune the macro so you would have to have good access to the back section.