Skimmer or refugium first?

christian1966 · 08/06/2006, 12:47 PM

I'm redoing my sump and wondering if it would be better to put the protein skimmer in the first section or the refuguim. Anyone know which is better or is it just a matter of personal preference?

Jim_S · 08/06/2006, 12:55 PM

Try to put the sump portion in the middle. Have the skimmer an the fuge on oposite sides draining into the middle. Then you can split the drain (if you onl have one) and feed both.

Like so: http://www.melevsreef.com/55g/55sump.html

HTH

Jim

RichConley · 08/06/2006, 01:35 PM

Put the skimmer first.

If your trying to use the fuge to remove nutrients, having the skimmer first is more efficient. That way the fuge only has to handle what the skimmer doesnt. You also wont have a TON of detritus settling in your fuge this way.

If you're going for pods, putting the skimmer afer the fuge, you'll produce more pods, because of the extra detritus in the fuge, but you'll skim a HUGE amount of them out. You'll have more pods with the skimmer first.

I can't really think of a good reason to put the fuge first....well...other than if you think you can make some $$ selling macro.

christian1966 · 08/06/2006, 01:48 PM

Thanks, I think I will go with the skimmer first. On another topic, how high should the water be in the sump for my Euro-reef skimmer to function properly? I have the ER ES5-2.

08/06/2006, 12:47 PM	#1
christian1966 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 65	Skimmer or refugium first? I'm redoing my sump and wondering if it would be better to put the protein skimmer in the first section or the refuguim. Anyone know which is better or is it just a matter of personal preference?

08/06/2006, 12:55 PM	#2
Jim_S Timo Boll Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,333	Try to put the sump portion in the middle. Have the skimmer an the fuge on oposite sides draining into the middle. Then you can split the drain (if you onl have one) and feed both. Like so: http://www.melevsreef.com/55g/55sump.html HTH Jim __________________ We will survive in this world of competition, shooting guns and our ammunition... Bradley Nowell Current Tank Info: We're recreating the ocean in our livings rooms. With that said, I've had some ups and downs.

08/06/2006, 01:35 PM	#3
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Put the skimmer first. If your trying to use the fuge to remove nutrients, having the skimmer first is more efficient. That way the fuge only has to handle what the skimmer doesnt. You also wont have a TON of detritus settling in your fuge this way. If you're going for pods, putting the skimmer afer the fuge, you'll produce more pods, because of the extra detritus in the fuge, but you'll skim a HUGE amount of them out. You'll have more pods with the skimmer first. I can't really think of a good reason to put the fuge first....well...other than if you think you can make some $$ selling macro. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

08/06/2006, 01:48 PM	#4
christian1966 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 65	Thanks, I think I will go with the skimmer first. On another topic, how high should the water be in the sump for my Euro-reef skimmer to function properly? I have the ER ES5-2.