Getting ready to plumb 2 options

Palidora5 · 10/13/2012, 04:04 AM

I am getting ready to plum my sump in and I have two options to go with. The way I built my sump is that I have three sections the skimmer is on the left side and the fuge is on the right side and the return area is in the middle. My first plan was to split the return lines to to the fuge and skimmer so I would be able to slow down the flow to the fuge so it would be more effective. But then I started to think that the better option would be to tee off of the return lines with a ball valve so I could control the flow to the fuge? I think this way would be better because the water would already have a chance to be skimmed and less crud would collect in the fuge. I think it would work both ways just not sure what is the better option

thanks in advance for your guys help

ReeferChris · 10/13/2012, 08:09 AM

I would go with the 2nd option too

RocketEngineer · 10/13/2012, 08:59 AM

Having any restriction on the drain lines is asking for trouble. All it would take is a snail going down the pipe and now the drain is blocked overflowing the display. It is better to run the drains unrestricted and feed the refugium off the return pump as it also lets you control the flow through the refugium independent of the sump flow.

Good Luck,
RocketEngineer.

chicagojoe · 10/13/2012, 10:34 AM

My understanding is this, (this is only if you are not using a herbie style overflow) the drain lines (coming from the overflow) should be unrestricted. You control the amount of flow to the sump by your return pump. If you wish less flow in the sump restrict the flow on the pumps return lines to the display tank. That way the DT water volume slowly overflows the surface skimmer and then down to the sump. Reverse this if more flow is required.

That is my understanding at least.

Joe

twilmot · 10/13/2012, 12:19 PM

I agree with Rocketengineer. Thats the way I did it and works well.

Seagals · 10/13/2012, 01:51 PM

I always understood you want the "unfiltered" water from the DT to go thru your fuge as much as you can. I say as 'much as you can' because you are going to need a slow controlled flow thru the fuge but the sump will have a faster flow. THis way the fuge absorbs nutrients direct from DT and cheato or mangroove or whatever is in the fuge will grow. As the drain goes into the sump you install a tee or 'y' with a ball valve to feed the fuge and the stright run goes directly into the sump. If there is ever a snaill or restriction in the ball valve feeding the fuge the water wold continue to flow stright into the sump unrestricted.

Patrick Cox · 11/09/2012, 09:18 PM

Bumping this up for a little more discussion. Anyone have concerns with Seagals recommendation? Thx.

rldcpa · 11/10/2012, 06:33 AM

I was going to split the return but decided not to mess with my flow to the display tank.

Instead spend $10-$35 for a very small pump to go from the return section to the Refugium. The pump was far less than valves and tubing/pvc.

gaubow22 · 11/10/2012, 03:46 PM

i strongly suggest GATE valves rather than BALL valves, if possible. Way easier to fine tune

10/13/2012, 04:04 AM	#1
Palidora5 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 54	Getting ready to plumb 2 options I am getting ready to plum my sump in and I have two options to go with. The way I built my sump is that I have three sections the skimmer is on the left side and the fuge is on the right side and the return area is in the middle. My first plan was to split the return lines to to the fuge and skimmer so I would be able to slow down the flow to the fuge so it would be more effective. But then I started to think that the better option would be to tee off of the return lines with a ball valve so I could control the flow to the fuge? I think this way would be better because the water would already have a chance to be skimmed and less crud would collect in the fuge. I think it would work both ways just not sure what is the better option thanks in advance for your guys help __________________ 150 gallon dt 55 gallon sump

10/13/2012, 08:59 AM	#3
RocketEngineer Space is big. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 3,226	Having any restriction on the drain lines is asking for trouble. All it would take is a snail going down the pipe and now the drain is blocked overflowing the display. It is better to run the drains unrestricted and feed the refugium off the return pump as it also lets you control the flow through the refugium independent of the sump flow. Good Luck, RocketEngineer. __________________ -RocketEngineer "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Current Tank Info: None Currently

11/10/2012, 06:33 AM	#8
rldcpa Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 498	I was going to split the return but decided not to mess with my flow to the display tank. Instead spend $10-$35 for a very small pump to go from the return section to the Refugium. The pump was far less than valves and tubing/pvc. __________________ 245g 72x30x26, SRO5000 skimmer, WB HY-7000 pump, custom sump 60x24x18, 3 Maxspect Razor 160w LED, Neptune Apex, 4 Tunze 6105, Bubble Magus Doser, 80 watt Emperor UV, 2 800w heaters

10/13/2012, 08:09 AM	#2
ReeferChris Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 184	I would go with the 2nd option too

10/13/2012, 10:34 AM	#4
chicagojoe Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 23	My understanding is this, (this is only if you are not using a herbie style overflow) the drain lines (coming from the overflow) should be unrestricted. You control the amount of flow to the sump by your return pump. If you wish less flow in the sump restrict the flow on the pumps return lines to the display tank. That way the DT water volume slowly overflows the surface skimmer and then down to the sump. Reverse this if more flow is required. That is my understanding at least. Joe

10/13/2012, 12:19 PM	#5
twilmot Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 159	I agree with Rocketengineer. Thats the way I did it and works well.

10/13/2012, 01:51 PM	#6
Seagals Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: USA Posts: 127	I always understood you want the "unfiltered" water from the DT to go thru your fuge as much as you can. I say as 'much as you can' because you are going to need a slow controlled flow thru the fuge but the sump will have a faster flow. THis way the fuge absorbs nutrients direct from DT and cheato or mangroove or whatever is in the fuge will grow. As the drain goes into the sump you install a tee or 'y' with a ball valve to feed the fuge and the stright run goes directly into the sump. If there is ever a snaill or restriction in the ball valve feeding the fuge the water wold continue to flow stright into the sump unrestricted.

11/09/2012, 09:18 PM	#7
Patrick Cox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,697	Bumping this up for a little more discussion. Anyone have concerns with Seagals recommendation? Thx.

11/10/2012, 03:46 PM	#9
gaubow22 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bolingbrook, Illinois Posts: 114	i strongly suggest GATE valves rather than BALL valves, if possible. Way easier to fine tune