Hows this for a sump?

[bluemarlin]

I have a 55 gallon sump for my 180 tank. Currently it is set up as follows: Overlow from tank goes into media area and then over bioballs. Then the water flows into a chamber that houses a skimmer. Then the water goes to a third chamber where two 700 gph pumps pump it back into the main tank. This seems to be an old fashioned method and I am thinking about changing to:
Overflow from tank goes into media. Second chamber no longer houses skimmer. Second chamber has 4-5" of LS and Calupera. Third chamber is unchanged and just houses the return pumps. I add some cheap flourescent lighting that stays on 24/7 in the sump area.
How does that sound? No more bioballs? No more skimmer? Will this work? Tank has a few mushroom corals but is basically fish only.

 

[cap'n pete]

From your description your pumping about 1000 gph through the sump. That may be too much flow for a refugium, most people push about 100 gph through their fuges. As far as going skimmerless, many people have and have had great success. I would say if you are not getting a lot of skimmate go ahead.

 

[jonthefb]

hey there marlin. thats exactly what i am planning to do on my 65 gallon that i am currently setting up. i have an old usAquarium wet/dry sump that i am guttign and turning into a fuge. it should work great, howevers its still kinda in th eplanning phase right now! but good luck, and let me know hoe yours turns out!
jon

 

[bluemarlin]

Wow, this post got buried fast! Thanks for the replies.
So, I should reduce the flow rate that much? Really? I wonder what effect this will have on my tank if any?
The skimmer really doesn't remove anything right now. I hardly ever have to empty the cup. The biolode in the tank right now is a joke in that I am just preparing to restock after a killer poweroutage! I have 1 chromis and 5 cardinals in there.