[Samper]

I wanna add a sump to my 20 gallon. I don't really like the idea of a hang on overflow but really like the idea of a closed loop. Is it possible to have the same pump draw water from the display and pump it back while circulating some of that water through a sump/refugium? I think drilling holes in the line would cause severe loss of pressure but am not sure. What do you guys think my options are?

[Reefland]

Not that I can think of Chuck. How would this work? I mean a closed loop contains all of the water in the pipe to and from the pump, when you try to take it out of the pipe in order to regulate the amount of water your stuck with an overflow box.

[CaveManNOhio]

The only way I can see you being able to run with out a box would be with two pumps, one that sucks water from the tank and empties into the sump, then another pump to pump it out of the sump back into the tank. You would just have to plumb a suction line on the back wall and set it about half way down. But then I think such a set up would not truly be a very good filtration set up.:slap:

[Reefland]

And it would be all but impossible to get the two pumps flow rates to match.

[yankeebobo]

Be careful with two pumps. A mismatch, and you have your main tank emptying into a sump that will overflow. I would go with the box and empty it over that way.

[Samper]

I ended up with a very nice overflow made by a shop in colorado...I think it has a 1" bulkhead it and a few different chambers that I'll put rubble or something in...a mag 7 and a 20 gallon tank. Tomorrow I buy the hardware to plumb it together so any suggestions you have will be taken into consideration.
I'm thinking a ball valve under the overflow and a ball valve above the return pump.....
I'm also planning to t the line off from the return pump and have it go right back into the sump/refugium just in case the pump is too much for the overflow.
This will also have a very deep dsb

I also bought 80lbs of very fine particle oolitic sand cause the price was right as well as 4 more MJ 1200's just in case I need them.... I also got a 40lb bag of reactor media. now for the awesome part

20 gallon tank free
mag 7 $50
4 MJ 1200's $20
80lbs oolitic sand $30
Reactor media free
Overflow $50
Grand total of $150
having friends that can hook me up priceless .

will get some pics up very soon.

[CaveManNOhio]

Yea I didn't think a two pump set up would be a good way to avoid a overflow box.
Glad to hear it all worked out for you Samper. It does sound like your friends hooked you up.