which way to flow?

[clamgal]

Hello,
I am starting to rebuild by tank. As far as the sump and fuge, which flow would be most beneficial. The fuge can be moved to accommodate.

1. drain -> sump(skimmer) ->fuge -> return chamber

or
2. drain -> 1/2 fuge and 1/2 sump(skimmer) -> return chamber
Thanks,
Adriana

[Zack]

Most I've seen run the water from the DT to the fuge first to feed the macro algae with the "dirty" water. I'm designing a new tank with this setup also.

[kkiel02]

If able to: I would do drain, then skimmer, then fuge, and then return so all the pods and phyto don't get pulled into your skimmer. Right now I run a two drains which one side feeds my skimmer section and one side goes to a fuge then the return pump is in the middle. I don't think it matters too much which way you go but if I had a choice I would go the first way.

[ramsey]

I would go with the first option if that's the only two choices. If you're getting a sump built, I'd put the fuge in a section that you can control the flow to (slower flow).

[Sherita]

My sumps are set up like this:

fuge>return<skimmer

my drain is split, with one side going to the skimmer, the other going to the fuge. I have gate valves on the terminal ends of the drains, to control the amount of flow.