how does this look.....

[RAYRAY]

Is this the right idea ?????

[cgoodman381]

Looks good overall, but just a few observations.

Why not have both returns go to the skimmer area, then have a wall to your fuge, then the three baffles, then your return. Would be less baffles and less work...

Also why have a ball balve on your return pump? Unless your return is overpowered and you want to dim it down a little.

[dustin_P74]

i would have them drain into the skimmer then go into the fuge and then return

[Rcpilot]

I think the reasoning behind the center return is so he can regulate the flow through the refugium.

With the ball valve to the refugium, the flow can be reduced and that will increase dwell time in the refugium. It just diverts more water to the skimmer section.

The ball valve on the return line is good practice. How will he replace the pump when it fails? The ball valve will prevent the tank from draining all over the floor in the event he disconnects it to replace/repair/clean the pump.

I like the idea of a central return. It's a couple more baffles. So? Another 3oz of silicone and 2hrs of your time on a DIY project isn't the end of the world.

[yote]

I dont see a thing wrong with it Ray.Should work out great.


Got it built yet?

[Oscarsdad608]

I have done it both ways and the center return works better. Make sure the return area is large enough, because that is the only place the water will evaporate. An auto top off is going to be a must have.

[RAYRAY]

one more question. I'm not sure where the heater shouls go?? I wasw thinking the return area ? I have 2.... one for a back up ..

[Hornet]

I think every thing looks good except for the baffles/bubble trap between the Fuge and return section. You should only need 1 baffle there as the flow through the fuge section will be slow and not generating bubbles.

I would plan on putting the heater in the return section.

[ZOOT098]

just my 2 cents

i tried a setup like that and it didnt work very well

the problem is the water wants to drain almost completely into the first tee and the raw water going into the fuge really makes a mess

i think a very small pump in the return section with some flexible tube into the fuge would work better and you could control the flow better

also put a check valve in line with the return before the ball valve

and you can get rid of the ball valve in your drain line, it wont be needed

[Hornet]

The ball valve needs to be moved to the span that drops directly to the skimmer section. It can then be adjusted to create a back flow to force water into the fuge.