Sump thoughts...

[LeviT]

I plan on putting some baffles in a sump so I'll end up with a skimming section, refuge (section for macro and maybe sand?) and return pump section.

That brings be to my 2 questions

1) Where should I put the fuge section? I've seen them placed before and the skimmer... what are your thoughts.

2) Do most people submerge there overflow pipe in their sump to keep noise down? Or do you do something else to keep it quite? Not sure if there are any reasons not to submerge it?

These are just me thinking out loud so just looking for some input to help with the thought process.

Thanks!

 

[sfsuphysics]

1. Benefit of putting it before the skimmer, grabs all the "tasty" nutrient richness to grow before the skimmer... down side is any pods will most likely get skimmed up before going into the tank. Putting after, just the opposite. However being me I'd put it afterwards, there should be enough nutrients in the water column that slip by, and your pods will take a ride on the cuisinart express as they go back to the main tank.

2. I submerge mine, most the bubbles stay under, there's alittle less aeration, but still quite a few bubbles, and it is significantly quieter than having it splash into it... especially with my skimmer output splashing in the same area.

 

[LeviT]

Thanks Mike.

Anyone else?

 

[Raddogz]

What Mike said.

I don't have a refuge per se just all the dirty junk that rolls around the bottom of my sump.

 

[Rekonn]

Below is the setup that I've been using for a couple years now. It's a 40g tank, the sections from right to left are resevoir, skimmer, refugium, then return. The chaeto grows pretty fast, I cut it in half about every month. It's a very quiet setup as well. No waterfall noise in the overflow, no noise from air coming down the drain, and no bubbles coming to the surface in the sump noise either.