Skimmer in a Sump/Refugium - ATI BubbleMaster 250

Dxmarinefish · #1 01/08/2008, 11:24 AM

Hi,

I am setting up a 180 gal acrylic tank with a 42 gal mud and macro algae refugium. The Fug will be fed by an overflow, and will have a return pump back to the main tank.

I intend to have lps/sps, with a medium fish load.

Now i was wondering whether i can also place the ATI BubbleMaster 250 skimmer in the same fug. This skimmer looks to be my best bet due to height restrictions, plus the user reviews i have read rate it's performance.

My Questions are:-
Will this affect the macro algae growth?
Will the 24/7 lights i plan to run affect the ATI BubbleMaster 250 skimmer?
Has anyone had this kind of arrangement, and if so what are your experiences/thoughts?

In design stage so any and all advice/thoughts are welcome.

Thanks

Dxmarinefish · #2 01/08/2008, 11:26 AM

Also will this affect the growth of life in the fug, as i really want to promote this.

JCTewks · #3 01/08/2008, 02:46 PM

It is best to have the overlow go directly to the skimmer first, then the output of the skimmer go to the fuge. That way what can be removed by the skimmer will be taken out before it goes into biomass (algea). I'm sure that you could put the skimmer into the fuge, but the constant light will cause algea to grow inside of the skimmer. Also, i would think that a considerable amount of the microfauna from the fuge would be either dirctly killed by the meshwheels or stuck in the foam head where they will go into the collection cup and die.

If you have the room you could set up a second "pre-sump" for the skimmer and have the tanks drain go into that, then the output of that sump as well as the skimmers output would go to the fuge.

Dxmarinefish · #4 01/08/2008, 05:00 PM

Thanks JCTewks, like the suggestion. I also thought about having the skimmer at the end of the fug in this sequence.

that is water from tank>into fug compartment 1>into Fug compartment 2 where the cheato and mud is>into compartment 3>into Compartment 4 and place the skimmer in here with return pump back to tank>

What do people think?

JCTewks · #5 01/09/2008, 12:49 AM

You'll want the skimmer in the first compartment so that it gets the first shot at the DOC's so that they don't get trapped as biomass in the system. The other downfall to running a singlepass/non recirc skimmer in the return compartment is that a very accurate ATO needs to be used to keep the water level consistent....when run behind a baffle in the first compartment the water level is consistent.

what are you planning on having in campartment 1?

Dxmarinefish · #6 01/09/2008, 04:13 AM

How about this-
Using your advice, i can have 75% of the water go in compartment 1, 25% in to compartment 2. In compartment 1 i can have the skimmer, with the skimmed water flowing back into compartment 2.

I will have to make compartment 1 larger to take the skimmer. i only used silicone to glue the divider so will not be a problem re-doing it.

What do you think?

sjm817 · #7 01/09/2008, 07:28 AM

I dont like sending raw tank water to a fuge. You get a lot of detritus buildup. My setup is a little different sinceI have a seperate fuge which is fed off the returm flow. The water going to the fuge has been through filter socks and skimmed first.

Dxmarinefish · #8 01/09/2008, 09:01 AM

Thanks sjm817, but doesnt the fug need some of that raw tank water to feed off?

sjm817 · #9 01/09/2008, 09:08 AM

No. There are enough nutrients left after skimming to "feed" it. The water that enters the fuge us not perfectly clean. It it were, why would you need a fuge anyway?

JCTewks · #10 01/09/2008, 02:13 PM

I agree...if your skimmer can handle 100% of your overflow, let it have it. IMO/E it is best to skim 100% of the overflow before the water goes anywhere else. Like sjm said, there is plenty left in the water for the fuge. you'll get the most effectiveness out of your skimmer and your refugium doing it that way.