NeoFish

I don't have anything as fancy as those other systems here - but I just put in a _simple_ manifold system last night for my sump. The issue was feeding my new protein skimmer and not do it with another pump - I want to use the return feed from the tank. So I built this simple manifold that will take my twin over-flow feeds and let me control it into 4 outputs. 2 are for return to the sump, one for the feed to the protein skimmer and the 4th is 'extra' for either water changes or maybe a nitrogen coil. I have twin pondmaster 700's for the return pumps. The over-flow feeds are 1" flex tubing, general PVC is 1", and the two outside valves are 1/2" as I did not need as much flow. So far it works - we'll see how it does over time... Here are a few pics.

Suppose I should chime in as this is about my tank... Thanks to John for bringing this up and seeing what comes of it. I've been into aquariums for around 5 years - this is my first tank - of any type - so I suspect I've made and will continue to make nearly every mistake there is. I'm a bit nervous about removing the wet/dry as its been in the tank for nearly 5 years now. I was told that the more surface area you have for things to grow on is a good thing - and this contraption in my sump was a great way to do that. One thing I'm a bit fuzzy on is if its good to have live rock - AKA places for things to grow, then why is a wet/dry filter in the sump an assumed 'bad' thing? My wet/dry filter is 16" high, 11" wide and 11" deep. the twin over-flows drop onto a 4x8 poly filter (replaced every water change), then the top of the drip tray has crouton sized cell pore media. Below the drip tray is what I assume is a standard filter media, coiled into an 8 - 9 " diameter circle. Below the drip try is an 8"x8"x4" cell pore block. The rest is as John explained it. If we add the protein skimmer and leave the wet/dry in place - is there a risk of over-taxing the skimmer? Or will things simply still be out of whack? Thanks for the feedback and advice.