Help Needed: Clueless when it comes to sumps, overflows, refugiums, etc

[addictedreefer]

I have been a nano guy (24g and 34g all in one systems) since I got into the hobby almost a year ago. However, I have just taken the quantum leap to a 210gal system. Needless to say I have no experience with sumps, etc. so I was hoping I could get some help here. I apologize in advance for the stupid questions.
Tank specs: 210 RR gal display with 2 megaflow overflows in the rear corners
Basic goals for sump: Maximize system water volume; Provide ample room for a hefty skimmer, ca reactor, phos reactor; Have separate chamber for a refugium
Questions:
1.) How does the whole overflow capacity/return pump rate thing work? Does the return flow have to be less, more, or equal to the drainage rate? (I think the megaflows are rated at around 600gph each)
2.) Since the 2 overflows are placed 6 feet apart, how can they drain into the same sump? Also, how can one return pump supply water to both returns? (or do I need 2 pumps?)
3.) Where can I get a sump that accomodates my needs (large, room for equipment as well as a separate refugium)?

 

[Michael]

have alook at this when it comes to refugiums theres alot of knowlege and pics here, its a good read, if you have aday or two, ha ha,

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349443

 

[Jamesurq]

If you don't have a day or two - how about some direct answers?

1) The return pump flow needs to be less than the capacity of the megaflows. For a 210 with dual 1" overflows, think a 1200 GPH pump. This will probably run at 900 ish gph with the head pressure, depending on how you plumb it.
2) You'll need to run 2 pipes. Where they dump into the sump is up to you. You can put the return pump in the middle compartment and run the 2 overflows on the 2 outside compartments or you can combine the 2 pipes into a single pipe on one end (with the return pump on the other end). The important thing is to keep the output of the overflow as far away from the intake of the return pump as possible. ON the pump, no you don't need 2 pumps - a single pump with a pipe that's split (think a Y shaped or T shaped fitting) to both returns. Now that said, running 2 pumps is actually a good idea so that if one of them fails, you still have water movement.
3) There are plenty of sources for sumps - some people like to have them built for them, some people use rubbermaid tubs, and some folks (like me) prefer to just use another tank. When I had my remote sump setup I used a 90 gallon tank as a sump. Right now I'm using a 30 gallon breeder. With your tank, a 75 or so gallon tank should provide plenty of space for your equimpment with enough room for the bubbles to dissapate.

Hope that helps.

 

[Michael]

if you prefer to spend time in this hobby getting things right, then try reading some threads posted here on reef discussion, quick answers are fine but you may find lots of reading may be of benifit in the long run, plenty of views here, you can then make up your mind, with whats best for you, good luck and hope to hear from you in the future, the capns thread on refugiums is worth reading and in the long run patience and not rushing is the best bet, some good points from james there too