Underneath tank sump plus display Refugium help

[Evand68]

I have a 55 gallon display tank, and am preparing to set it up as a reef aquarium. Was going to get a 30 gallon tank and make it a sump and refugium, but I like the idea of a gravity fed refugium better. I plan to get a 20 gallon long for a sump, and 10 gallon for refugium. Can not drill the display, but will drill the 10 gallon. I have a crude drawing of my plans. I get the general idea of how to do this, but as for the size of return pump, or the thickness of pvc pipe to use for overflow I have no idea. Also where and how high would I put the baffle bubble tra. I could use some advice please

 

[Retro Reefer]

With my new build I’m setting up a separate refugium next to my tank and plumbing it into sump just like you do with your main display tank.. have some info on plumbing in my build thread..

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-big-beautiful-budget-breeder-build.405791/

 

[Evand68]

With my new build I’m setting up a separate refugium next to my tank and plumbing it into sump just like you do with your main display tank.. have some info on plumbing in my build thread..

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-big-beautiful-budget-breeder-build.405791/

Thank you

 

[Evand68]

All of the stand alone refugiums I see are plumbed back into the sump. I want the sump to pump up to the refugium, and then flow to the display tank via a drilled bulkhead. Is this possible?

 

[scott11106]

All of the stand alone refugiums I see are plumbed back into the sump. I want the sump to pump up to the refugium, and then flow to the display tank via a drilled bulkhead. Is this possible?

it is possible, you will need to make sure you are plumbed correctly and account for added volume when system powers down and make sure to have proper syphon breaks

 

[Evand68]

That's why I planned on using the DIY pvc overflow pipe with a weir pipe on the display tank instead of an overflow box, and drilling the fuge. That way I wouldn't have to worry about a siphon break.

 

[Evand68]

In a power outage, wouldn't the water just stop flowing that way. I know of have to account for the backflow of the plumbing down to the sump if the return pump stops

 

[scott11106]

In a power outage, wouldn't the water just stop flowing that way. I know of have to account for the backflow of the plumbing down to the sump if the return pump stops

yes that is correct, just was not sure what tanks would be where in elevation so that would dictate flow and syphon as you eluded. other than that sounds like a good plan