Dual sump/refugium set up

[Brando5185]

I plan on running dual sumps on my 125 with one being a dedicated refugium. Would only one overflow be slow enough flow through the fuge to be effective. Both would combine again to go through skimmer section.

Please critique and add your ideas. Thanks!

Did a rough sketch in paint, not very good but gives the idea.

 

[cidbozek]

FWIW! I would T the return line to feed the fuge, then you could control the flow exactly how you wish.

 

[Brando5185]

Would the flow from just one overflow be too much?

 

[Fallling]

Well, I guess you'll need to figure out exactly how much flow is going to be going through the DT. If you get a return pump thats 1200 gph, then each overflow would have roughly 600 gph going through (just using this as an example and not taking into account headloss, etc). 20x turnover for a fuge is fairly common, so if you have a 30 gal fuge or so, then it shouldn't be too much flow.

Of course, if you want to do 10x turnover rate or a smaller fuge, then you'll need to restrict the flow. You could put a gate valve off the overflow to restrict flow, although that might not be the best way. You could T off the the return line or the main DT drain line to feed the fuge. You could also stick another pump in the sump to feed the fuge separately for precise flow control.

 

[Brando5185]

Return pump is going to be 1340gph and I think the drains are 1" bulkheads.

 

[shermanator]

FWIW! I would T the return line to feed the fuge, then you could control the flow exactly how you wish.

I would do this as well. T-off the return and use a gate valve to control flow to the fuge. Have both drains go to sump.

Also, it looks like you are going from your fuge into a sock? Depending on how you are planning the fuge, that's not a good idea. You'll trap all the good life your fish and corals will want to eat (pods, etc). Better to have the fuge drain right into the return section.

 

[Brando5185]

No just the other overflow would go through a sock.

I may dump the fuge return into the skimmer section to keep pods and what not from getting caught up. I dont want to drain it into the return section to try to reduce chance of bubbles getting pumped back into the main tank.

 

[Brando5185]

So route both drains into first section through filter socks, t off return into fuge and route fuge return into skimmer section?

 

[shermanator]

So route both drains into first section through filter socks, t off return into fuge and route fuge return into skimmer section?

Yes, except I'd put the fuge return right into the return section of your sump.

 

[Brando5185]

Yes, except I'd put the fuge return right into the return section of your sump.

If the flow is slow enough then there shouldnt be any bubbles to get returned up into the main tank?

I know the drains on my 150gal produced alot of bubbles into the skimmer section of my old sump but i was flowing almost 2000pgh through it.