Above tank refugium - How?

[Aquariust]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of setting up my new 150G reef. There is a 30G sump in the stand, which will double as a small refugium for macros. The sump space would probaly be about 12x12, and the ref about 24x12. The main pump is an ampmaster 2100.

I know, what's the question, here we go;)

The tank sits in my dining room. The "fish" closet sits about 3 ft away from the main tank, sharing the wall. (not back to back):


I want to put a second refugium in my fish closet, and somehow hide it (pipes) as much as possible. I have an idea for this, so it's really no biggie.

What I need to know is how to set this up! Can I run a line from the ampmaster to the refugium in the closet, and have it flow back to the main tank?

Or am I going to have to run another pump to the refugium? I plan to mount the ref high in the closet.

What kind of flood warnings are there for doing this? I like to avoid floods by going overkill on the saftey features.

Here's the fish closet:





And here's a pic of the tank, and walls. The fish closet is on the left:



And one more, a pic of the plumbing and wiring for the tank. The tank will have auto top off:



Thanks All!

-John

[Aquariust]

Here's what I was thinking:

The auto top off is the same one David Playfair is using on his reef. Link to his site for auto top off:

http://mistressreef.homestead.com/f....html#top%20off

The RO/DI is mounted under the stand, along with the 30G sump, water tank for RO (this might go in the closet), CA reactor, CO2 Tank, and ampmaster.

My plan is definately to mount the refugium in the closet, above the water line of the 150. Which will be fun bc the stand is 40" tall, and the tank is 28" tall

I don't mind the 2 pvc pipes coming out of the wall, and I have a way to make it look natural For the wife...

I probaly be looking for a 30 or 40 breeder tank, I'll have to see what works, and what will hold

I had figured to mount the return to the main tank gravity fed, but this posed problems:

1. I could do a stand pipe design, but what chance are pods going to be sucked up and into the main tank?

2. I could use a drilled hole on the side, but if I mount the intake high (so it doesn't drain into the whole main tank) will pods be sucked down? What about micro bubbles being sucked down?

3. I could use a non drilled overflow, but I'd have to prime it, but still, will pods be sucked down?

Theres gotta be something that does it all!

And, btw, what would happen if 20 gallons of water emptied from the ref into the main tank? Would it flood the main tank? Or would the excess water go down the overflows, and flood the sump?

I already plan to to have 4 MJ1200's in the overflows for the display tank, so I don't think 1 more will hurt! Any ideas on what size pipe to use? Or, is the better way to go to Y the ampmaster to the refugium with a ball valve to regulate flow?

Thanks All!

[Aquariust]

ttt