help setting up refugium

I have a 55g tank non drilled and I'd like to get a refugium setup going. I'll probably go with a shops hob overflow. Everything else I really have no idea what to buy. What size sump should I run with my tank? What all will I need besides hob overflow and return pump? I see pics of crazy plumbing setups but will a simple "loop" setup work?

 

In general, you want your sump/refugium to be half the volume of the DT. So for a 55, between 25-30 gallons. The problem with 55's is the 12" restricts the size of a sump you can fit. But see what you can fit and go from there. Otherwise, as mentioned you need an overflow ( I really like the Eshopps as you already plan to get), drain plumbing, the sump with baffles (ideally a sump with 3 chambers), a return pump, and return plumbing. You want to flow about 10X the sump volume, so if you have a 25 gallon, you will want to flow around 250 GPH.

 

Thanks for the info. Is there a sump that you would reccomend? Or maybe a certain brand? And with the plumbing can I just do a simple loop. Overflow box>PVC to sump>return pump>PVC back to tank?? Should I put a valve in there somewhere? And the overflow box I plan on getting will flow 300gph what size PVC will I need to use for the plumbing? And what return pump do youreccomend?

 

I recommend you do some searching and reading on your own. It is what I did when I built my first tank. Much better than being told what to do without understanding it. That being said, here are a couple of tips before you get too far. First, oversize your overflow box. I used the PF-1000 for my 55 even though I only flow about 500 GPH. Second, you can use a valve after the return pump, but that is it. No valves on the drain line(s).

 

Thanks for the info. I've done a lot of reading and have a pretty good idea of what I need and how it all works. Just had a few questions I couldn't find answers to. Thanks again though!

 

Good pointers. Been reading a lot also and I always find you posting valuable info. Thanks for being a vital asset to the forum.

 

I have been looking into synergy reef for an ato check them out for a sump.

 

Thanks for noticing