55 Gal FOWLR - seeking criticism

[turbo]

ah that makes much more sense. lol!

i have also been experiencing some doubt that the flow rate is slow enough through the refuge. I guess I could direct both drains to the skimmer chamber and either use a small pump like you said, or possibly tee off one of the drains into the refuge.

i suppose it's best to use freshly skimmed water for the refuge, but i also want to use fewer pumps. i'd hate to see a siphon form from the refuge to the skimmer chamber, because if you combine that with back flow from the tank, they could add up to a flood. the refuge and pre-fuge chamber carry more volume than the skimmer and return pump chamber.

[gregzz4]

A Tee would be a better idea for cost savings. Only thing I'd suggest is you open the valve fully periodically to flush out whatever may be stuck or building up inside it

Using non-skimmed water is better for your 'fuge, so your Tee wins there too

[turbo]

Hey I just thought of something. What if the PVC drain that is destined for the refuge is piped into the cabinet through a hole that is lower than the top of the sump by 8" or so? It would have to climb uphill and then it could drain freely into the sump.

I suspect this would greatly reduce the flow rate of this pipe without restricting it mechanically???

I dunno am I missing something here? Part of the reason why I want to do this is because one of those holes that I already drilled (see pics) is now going to be lower than the top height of the sump tank, but I still want to use the hole.

[turbo]

orr it might just trap debris over time and become clogged ... better drill a new hole higher up.