How come nobody has there skimmer in the same section as there refugium?

[tprize]

I'm curious, I never see anyone have the intake and output of there skimmer in the same section as the refugium? Could you put a HOB skimmer in the same section as your refugium as long as you prevented the cheato from getting to the pump? That way you can have a smaller sump and not have to have two different sections for each.

[Travis L. Stevens]

You could, but a skimmer will (theoretically) pull out a lot of good stuff from the refugium. Plus it takes up precious refugium space. Also, for best skimmate, either plumb your drain line from the display kit directly into the skimmer, or if that isn't possible, have the inlet of the skimmer's pump as close to the outlet of the display tank's drain pipe in order for the skimmer to pick up the most concentrated, raw waste.

[tprize]

Ok, so you could hang it there, but you would be better putting the HOB actually on the tank, or as close to the outlet as possible.

[benray4fun]

It would kill your pump and the micro fauna simultaneously, thereby negating any skimming.

[tprize]

Skimmers that run off your drain line are really expensive though aren't they