Asking for feedback for sump layout | first draft

[sugartooth]

Hello,
I would like advice and feedback on this sump. It will be 6 ft long and 3 ft. wide.

The compartments that have teeth are for a large fuge (back) and coral propagation area (front) and then to the skimmer compartment.

Is it better to switch those areas to have the skimmer compartment first?

Thanks in advance for looking and input. It's truly appreciated.
Special thanks to Bob at Reefmania for the pics.

[sugartooth]

I also have the option of going 8 foot long. Should I do it, and add more compartments?

[kawicivic]

you will get both opinions on here.... some say that you should have your fuge (if it includes macro) first so it gets the most nutrients. Some say you should have it after the skimmer so the skimmer doesnt pull out pods. I think it depends on what you are looking to do... also if your frag area is for sps it may be benificial to have the water go through the fuge and skimmer first instead of just the fuge. I know this doesnt really help but it gives you some ideas to bounce around.

[sugartooth]

Thanks very much!

So you think first a fuge only compartment, then to skimmer, and then coral prop area before returning to the main tank?

That's cool too, because I can see all the way through front to back.

Not being able to see the fuge clearly would be my negative on this layout....


DOH!!!!

I just realized I will have an external skimmer!!!

I won't be able to fit a giant skimmer in there!

[kawicivic]

so is the coral prop area for sps mainly then?

if so, then I would say you could run the drain into the fuge... then bubble trap to return section. You could pull your skimmer feed out of the return section (assuming its big enough) and then have the skimmer empty to the coral area and then overflow back into the return section. Does that make sense to you?

[kimoy]

I would put the skimmer in the compartment in front of the fuge and the frag before the return but have your fuge overflow into the frag area. So it will be something like this. first chamber is from tank-skimmer/fuge(some of the water from the first chamber will go to the skimmer and some to the fuge)-frag area-return.

[madadi]

i agree with kimoy. i have some water going straight to the fuge and some water going straight to the skimmer. then both combine to go trough the frag area and then the return area.

[sugartooth]

I think all of you said the same thing, just a different way.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to try to change it a little to follow your logic.

Thanks again.