need help on our new build, our first one!

We are building a stand that will combine our 75 and 125 gal tanks. We are converting the 75 into a display refugium.

I have 2 options for the build I will post the pics for them. My question to you is.... Which option will work better? Keep in mind that the 125 will be fish only with very few rocks and maybe a few corals. The 75 (refugium) will need to hold sand, rocks, and come corals. In one option the sump is part of the 75 and in the other it is speparate, allowing more room for rocks and sand.

Ok so here are the pics, post any advice you can offer and please give your true opinion on the build.

Thanks!

Option 1


Option 2

 

I believe i like the second option, you only want to view the 75 and not the other stuff correct?

 

Im a fan of the second plan with the sump seperate. this will make your display fuge more atractive and give you more room in there for rock, sand, algae and coral.

 

I like option one but i would combine the sand, rock/refugium area together and put a door in front of the sump skimmer area, and i be leave it would be much easer to plumb this way.

 

i like option one as well with this slight twist.
Only i would put 2 small doors (1:2 ratio with the refugium). A left and a right one to make it look more "even". And in the middle of the doors have the display refugium

 

I like option 2,more room to have a reef and extra rock to compensate for the fish only tank.

 

i think i like option 2. i wouldn't use sand, unless you are wanting to keep sand dwelling critters like gobies and what not. i would stack rocks on top of eggcrate supported by pvc (i used tees turned upside down). i get better flow through the rocks and the deitris falls to the bottom where i can syphone it out weekly. plants will grow on and within the rockwork. try to go with 2 lbs. of rock per gallon of water. just remember, you will cause your tank to go through a cycle by rearanging and moving stuff.
are you keeping predator fish or just regular reef type fish? if you want pods for reef type fish, maybe try to put refugium on top so it drains directly into display(better pod transfer that way). just something to think about.
you wouldn't need partitions in option 2 like you would in option 1.

 

k thanks daddy, I will relay that back to larry and see if he can do that for us. We will have the same fish we have now plus a few more, maybe a tang.

 

alright, good luck. if you need any suggestions just ask

 

75 is WAY too big for a refugium, specially since you are going to display it. You can only keep so many macros before they start to starve themselves out and you lose them all.
Reverse the sizing of the fuge and sump. That big of a fuge is going to look completely barren with the proper amounts of macros in it. Plus, you definitely want as much room for your actual equipment as possible.
A 20 long would be more than enough fuge for that sized tank.