Sump Design

Should I T-off my drain pipe and have:

-----------------------------------------
I ^ I
I I I
I I I
I I I
V I V
Skimmer------>Return <------Fuge

Or:

I ^
I I
I I
I I
V I
Skimmer------->Fuge------->Return

Lastly, my sump has a bulkhead on the skimmer side near the bottom of the tank. Can I plumb my drain into it?

 

The blue pipe in back is from display.
Fuge on right, skimmer on left.
I went with your first option. That way i can control the amount of flow into each side using union ball valves.
The fuge is about 21 gallons. Also there is a drop of about 5 inches coming from the fuge into the return. I have to think that will help aureate.

 

So this is what I am looking at.

 

Can I go directly into the bulkhead drilled in the bottom side of the tank?

 

That's basically it. However I put the bubble trap on the skimmer side (my skimmer is on the left) and just let water overflow the sump. I also raised the glass on the sump side to increase volume of sump. I also made skimmer and return section as small as possible to maximize the sump volume. Also my ato tank is outside of the cabinet.

 

There should be two holes in the bottom of the tank. The large one is the drain and small is return. The top picture shows the drain coming down in the back. It also has a union ball valve.

 

I mean that I have a bulkhead in the side of my sump. Can I hardline plumb it directly into that bulkhead in the sump. So from the bulkhead underneth my tank to the bulkhead in my sump.

 

I'm not the worlds expert in plumbing, but it seems like it would work. The only problem I can see is that you would have trouble putting a filter sock on it. Not sure what your options are for plugging it off and running the drain straight down.

 

I don't think I want to run filter socks. I haven't replaced mine in the 55 in 2-months. They just get clogged in a day.

 

I hear you. Double edged sword.