Will this sump/refugium idea work?

[mibaro]

Okay, I am setting up my 50g sump for my 72 gallon tank (corner box drilled overflow). I have a 20g tank that I want to use as a refugium.
I plan to have the water overflow/drain to the sump, and use 2 empty canister filters as pumps to pump the water back to the tank. (am planning on purchasing another mag18 eventually.)
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--I was thinking of putting the 20g tank in the sump, and since it is lower than the sump, use it as a refugium. It will have some water movement with the water flowing over the top of it. (I could also split the overflow from the main tank and put it in the refugium, but don't think it needs that much water movement).
-Will this work?
-Will the canister filters be safe (ie not cause flooding) if their output is just at the water line of the main tank...not submerged in the tank?
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--72g, 50lbs liverock, tang, blennie, 2 cardinals, 2 peppermint shrimp, small xenia, mushrooms, NO flourescent, 802 powerhead , Klaes skimmer.

Thanks

Michael

[Daniel Schubert]

Michael


Your concept should work you may want to drill at least one hole in your 20 gallon to allow some water movement inside, or tap off your retuen pipe into the refugium near the middle h=just to have a little water movement inside the tank, otherwise the water might not get mixed up with the water flowing over top.

[mibaro]

What about if I added a powerhead to the refugium...would it accomplish the same water movement as you suggested?

[Daniel Schubert]

Michael
A small power head pumping water into the refugium from the sump would work well. Even a baffle diverting the water into the refugium would also work. I just think you need something to direct the water down into the tank, otherwise all the majority od the water would flow across. You may want to consider just a tubberware container instead of a 20 gallon tank. That way you could easily drill a bunch of small holes. I don't know if you'll have enough room for a 20 gallon tank and your skimmer. I actually have my klaes outside of the tank. you can see pictures at http://www.maskcanada.org just go to members tanks