Can someone please help me with my SUMP/REFUGIUM setup!!

[Natescorals]

Hey I’m trying to build my own DIY refugium with chaeto but I’m just confused with how I will set up my overflow and return pump. Im having trouble figuring it out. I want to set it up in a way that if I lose power I won’t have to worry about a flood. Or tank overfill. Any suggestions on how I could do this or just general information about how a sump works in that way?? Thank you guys! I just don’t know where to start. I’m using a 2.5 gallon for the sump it’s for a 20 gallon long tank. So I want to use this 2.5 gallon tank refugium I think it would look cool!

 

[lapin]

What kind of overflow do you have?
Is this going to be under the tank or next to it?

 

[Natescorals]

It can be level to the tank. Or below or high doesn’t matter it can be next to the tank or behind. There’s options

 

[Natescorals]

I’m thinking about making an overflow out of PVC pipe. Or I was thinking to drill a hole in the tank and add a pump then put it up high so water can just spill out

 

[OutLawX77]

Well let me tell ya I've been there.
Mostly building a refugum sump is going to be a pain in the but.!
You would be better off to buy a good one then waste the money trying to build 1. Then buying one any way
You can get premade baffles off of Amazon then the syclone GE # 1 syclone FOR PLASTICS Only
You can find it with the acrylics in Home Depot
But here you go
Left to right . Or right to left
sock chamber.
Then protean skimmer chamber then a kato chamber last chamber is the return pump.
Don't try a gravity feed top off as these Will fail you for sure.
If you can use a 30 gal or 40 gal tank for your sump.
This should hold any overflow issues.
As long as the sump sits under a 55 gal tank.
PS Do not forget about the bubble wall over/under back over chamber then a media chamber.....
PS i just got a pro clear redflex 4 in 1 300 to handle my 75 gal glass box
build that is still in the parts gathered, picking up my sump to day.
That's a nother story in its self.