sump/refugium dimensions

[monotreme_man]

i am about to put the baffles in my sump but wanted to doublecheck
my dimensions with the collective wisdom here.
i am using the conventional design of a rectangular block
divided into 3 cells: from left to right: skimmer, return, refugium.
i have just one return from teh DT; i will split it between the skimmer
and the refugium, so that water flows from both ends towards the middle
return section.

the overall dimensions are 24x48x16in. the skimmer (MSX250) needs
14in length and likes 10in operating depth. i need about 20gal to accomodate
water flowback should the return pump be turned off.

my current plan is to make the skimmer section 14in long with 9in baffles
1in off the bottom (water level 10in), and to make the refugium
20in long with a depth of 15in (about 30gal). this makes the return
section 14in long with a water level of 6in (about 9gal).
by my calculations, this means when the return pump is off,
the level in both the skimmer and return area will rise to about 15in.

does this seem sane? should i shrink the refugium area a couple of inches
and gain some more (about .75in) headroom?

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14928164#post14928164 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by monotreme_man
i am about to put the baffles in my sump but wanted to doublecheck
my dimensions with the collective wisdom here.
i am using the conventional design of a rectangular block
divided into 3 cells: from left to right: skimmer, return, refugium.
i have just one return from teh DT; i will split it between the skimmer
and the refugium, so that water flows from both ends towards the middle
return section.

the overall dimensions are 24x48x16in. the skimmer (MSX250) needs
14in length and likes 10in operating depth. i need about 20gal to accomodate
water flowback should the return pump be turned off.

my current plan is to make the skimmer section 14in long with 9in baffles
1in off the bottom (water level 10in), and to make the refugium
20in long with a depth of 15in (about 30gal). this makes the return
section 14in long with a water level of 6in (about 9gal).
by my calculations, this means when the return pump is off,
the level in both the skimmer and return area will rise to about 15in.

does this seem sane? should i shrink the refugium area a couple of inches
and gain some more (about .75in) headroom?

I think this sounds like a very good plan--keep the refuge as planned

BTW
I am running the same skimmer and find its optiumum height is between 8-9 inches. If you keep your sump at 10 inches however it will solve a declining level due to evaporation.

[monotreme_man]

ack, capn. i will make the skimmer section 9in then.
my ATO keeps the water level within a 3/4in band,
so this should be fine.