Sump / Ref design - please advise

[BigLar]

Please help me design my sump/refugium. I will be using a 90gal tank with a 1.5” hole drilled in the end. I’m tossing around two ideas, which one do you think is better. When I describe these ideas, the hole and AMP 3000 pump will be on the right end.

1.) First chamber on the left is small and will hold a Maxi jet 1200 or MAG 5 for sump/ref return.

Second chamber will be a refugium.

Third chamber will be the sump with a MyReef skimmer powered by an AMP 3000

2.) First chamber is the refugium

Second chamber is the sump with some baffles.

The sump will have a MyReef skimmer powered by a AMP3000. In this configuration, the AMP will also power the returns from the sump.

I realize that option one has slow flow back to the tank, but I will have another AMP3000 for a closed loop. I like how in option one, the refugium water will not pass though the skimmer as it will in option two. One problem I do see in option one is that the skimmer will not see a lot of new “dirty water” from the main tank since the return pump is so small.

What do ya think?

[Starmstr]

You mean something like this?

[BigLar]

What is your return pump and what chamber is it in?

[BigLar]

Anyone???

[Rin]

How big is your main tank? If it's less than 200, you probably wouldn't need a skimmer once the refuge is going good.

Your first choice is the better of the two. I would probably place the refuge 'in the middle' of the system. I assume that only part of your water from the main tank will go through the refugium and the other part will bypass the refuge and go to the last chamber where you skim and return to the main tank.

I think skimming last is better so that your refuge gets the most nutrients.

[Starmstr]

OOPS sorry for not replying. The return section is in the center. Skimmer section receives water from the display flows up under the baffle the refugium is tee'd off the return. I have used several pumps on the current system they are mag12, mag18, dolphin sst1200, and currently I am using a dolphin amp master 3000.