Need help for Nano tank design and set up

[tanit]

Hi

I am thinking to set up new Nano tank now in phase to collect information to design the system. I did some reseach in nano-reef.com and come out for idea below. =>http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/?article=3

Plan to build new tank around 20+ gallons with build in refugium around 4-5 gallons. The goal is to build system for soft coral and LPS that easy for maintenance and low in budget. No plan for skimmer and chiller at the moment (Will use fan).

Mainly maintainence task will be change water to export NO3 and PO4. and also replace for trace element (No additive add).

For refugium plan to use mud filter with macro algae to export NO3 ,PO4 and breeding ground for pod

I have 2 options to decide:

Option1 : Water from display section flow to (IOS) overflow section then pump water to refugium then overflow back to main display section.

Pro: Pod or any type of plankton will flow direct to main tank.

Con: I think must add wave maker to create flow which will generate heat.

Option2 : Water from display section Overflow direct to refugium. Then pump water back to display section

Pro: This way I will need only 1 pump to operate with help of .. may be hydor FLO defector to help for random flow

Con: Pod or plankton need to pass through pump before return display section. I believe majority of them will get cruch by the pump

- Which option will be better.

- Any reccommed for mud filter or any another substrate for refugium to recommend.

- Or If you have any another suggestion fell free to comment.

Thank you in advance for any idea that you can contribute.

[FuEl]

Don't worry about the pump killing off the copepods. Copepods are way tougher than that. Never liked the idea of mud. Go for deep sand bed with a mix of grade 1,2 and 3 sand. Use chaetomorpha as algae on reverse photoperiod.