Sump/Refuge design, need your opinion

So I have a 40G display reef tank, and a 29G tank that I will be using as my sump/refuge. I finally got my Octopus NW150 and CS50 overflow box so I can make my sump. I have been looking at alot of DIY sumps latley and I think this design will end up working the best. I have tomarro off so I would like to do the plumbing tomarro, and the glass will be cut on Monday. What do you guys think? Also, any recommendations on a return pump? I am trying to go as low cost as possible, but I want something that will work well, quietly,and dependable.

 

return pump depends on what your overflow box is rated at. What are the advantages of having the return pump between the fuge and the skimmer?

 

internal or external pump?

 

internal according to the pic

 

Get a return pump that is rated higher than your overflow including what it will lose with height. Then put a ball valve after the pump to dial it back a bit until they are the same. Try a mag-drive?

 

The overflow is rated at 300gph. I originally going to have the overflow go straight into the refuge, but I was told that the flow would be to high for the refuge. so If I branch it off to the other side, I can slow down the flow. Or should I put the Refuge in the center, and the pump at the other end?

 

thats the exact way I have mine, I like it and it works very well. having the refuge off to the side means if you need to do something you can shut it off without shutting off the overflow.

 

Thanks, I am glad to hear it. Your tank looks great. But, can you please send me or post a pic of your sump? I would really like to see the plumbing and the levels you put your bubble traps?

What kind of pump are you using as well?

Should the bubble traps be the shortest on the pump sides? I am assuming so. If the pump fails, that extra space may be nice and prevent an overflow.

 

So I started the plumbing today. I havent attached anything permanetly yet, but this is a general idea. The tape was just thrown on real quick to give a reference. The NW 150 is pretty massive is this 29G tank. So the Refuge looks like it will end up being pretty small but may still work. What do you guys think? Any changes I should make?

 

looking good keep the pics coming