Large Tank Set up Considerations

[jdm01]

I currently have a 30 and a 90 gallon tank that are set up as a reef tank. The addiction has tanken hold and I am feeling the need for a 200-300 gallon system. I am getting ready to set up the fish room in the basement. It will be behind the wall where the tank will be located. My plan calls for a large display tank. Behind the wall I will have 3 separate tanks. One tank will function as a sump, another as a refugium, and a third as a tank for mixing salt water. I am looking for a place where I can go to get some information on the best way to connect the tanks. I want to make water changes easy. I also need help understanding how to plumb things together so that the water flows through the system correctly.

If I go to a larger tank I will probably have both corners drilled. The overflows will flow into the sump. The sump will flow into the refugium. Water will be returned to the display tank from the refugium.

I will also plan to create a closed loop to get better surface agitation and better water movement over the substrate. Any thoughts as to where I can go to find articles, diagrams, etc...

 

[jdm01]

Given the size of the display, I also would like to know optimum size for the sump and refugium.

 

[pjgriffin]

I am awaiting delivery of a new 225g tank to replace my existing 90g.

My sump/refug has a total volume of about 75g. Refug only 25g. My limitation was available space in my fish room. I have not seen any recommendations on sump/refug size other than the larger the better. Personally if I had space I would look for a sump/refug volume similar to tank volume.

Sump volume must be sufficient to accept the volume that drains from the tank during power failure. Sump size must be sufficient for skimmer etc. If you intend to have 20% water changes then it is easier if you can remove 20% from the sump.

Lots os refernces and options on thsi site for closed loops.