Newbie Sump design

[Kayak_Guy]

Hello,

When designing a sump, should the skimmer come first after the intake?

as in:


(from tank)-->skimmer-->bubble trap-->fuge-->return pump-->


And should I have some filter floss and carbon before the skimmer?

 

[poppin_fresh]

Give the skimmer the rawest water possible, the best being dumping the tank water straight into the skimmer. Any filter floss or carbon before the skimmer will only trap crud that will lead to high nitrates. It will need to be replaced frequently also.

 

[drummereef]

There are a few ways a sump/fuge can be set up. Many prefer to have the return in the middle with the skimmer and fuge on either sides. So, skimmer - return - fuge for example. That way you can plumb it for more control over flow to each zone. The way you are looking to do it is also common. Skimmer - fuge - return. Basically a flow through design. Either will work.

Check out this link for all kinds of ideas.
Sump/Refugiums & Acrylic Work
http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html

 

[Kayak_Guy]

I ordered a euro-reef RS80, so I'm not really sure how the skimmer hooks up yet.

I've also bee wondering how could be used, I guess I could just throw some in a filter bag after the skimmer?

 

[Kayak_Guy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10168122#post10168122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
There are a few ways a sump/fuge can be set up. Many prefer to have the return in the middle with the skimmer and fuge on either sides. So, skimmer - return - fuge for example. That way you can plumb it for more control over flow to each zone. The way you are looking to do it is also common. Skimmer - fuge - return. Basically a flow through design. Either will work.

Check out this link for all kinds of ideas.
Sump/Refugiums & Acrylic Work
http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html

Yea, that asuch a great site, I've been all over that!

I'm still having a hard time figuring out how to properly use the skimmer, and a wet/dry type system. I like the idea of being able to use carbon in the system. I can't really think of how to run it..

 

[poppin_fresh]

The easiest way I've found is to get a phosban reactor and fill it with carbon.

 

[Kayak_Guy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10168205#post10168205 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poppin_fresh
The easiest way I've found is to get a phosban reactor and fill it with carbon.

The phosban reactor is sweet, can I run that inline with the return pump?

Will I even need the filter floss with a skimmer?

 

[poppin_fresh]

You can T off the pump to the reactor and then use its (included) valve to control the flow through it. If you try to push too much water through it, the media will be pulverized.

 

[Kayak_Guy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10168358#post10168358 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poppin_fresh
You can T off the pump to the reactor and then use its (included) valve to control the flow through it. If you try to push too much water through it, the media will be pulverized.

Ok, so then only a little of the return water goes through the reactor?

 

[poppin_fresh]

Yep. The instructions tell you how to set it up and what too look for to keep the media from being smashed. I think they want like 30 gph or so through the reactor.

 

[Kayak_Guy]

cool, I'm going to get one.

How about the filter floss, is it really needed? Will the skimmer handle the mech filter part of my system?

 

[poppin_fresh]

skimmer is the workhorse of most modern tanks. Floss is virtually unused in SW tanks these days.

 

[Kayak_Guy]

Thanks Poppin!

I think I'm ready to move forward.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

And forget the whole "wet dry" type of filter idea. That is made to be used with bio balls, and isnt really used by most reefers now days either. What your trying to do is just a sump with a refugium.