refugium/sump advice

[Chiefstrum]

I've got a 40g breeder with an Aquaclear 110HOB and a Remora skimmer with the maxi jet 1200 pump and prefilter box. I also run 2 Koralia 750 powerheads.

Long story short my water is nice and clean but I am constantly battling nitrates AND the prefilter box on the remora takes up a lot of room in the tank. So I'd like to put a sump/refugium in the cabinet with some chaeto or something to help keep nitrates in check. I could DIY but honestly I just don't have time to do it right so I'd like to buy something reasonably premade. I was thinking a 20g sump should fit in the cabinet and be enough to make a difference. I also will need to still use an overflow as my tank is not drilled. Not sure if it matters but my current stocking is:

• 2 Ocellaris clowns
• royal gramma
• firefish
• Bangaii cardinal
• CB shrimp
• 10 red leg hermits
• some zoanthids and a pineapple coral
• I plan to continue to add coral as well as a randalls goby/pistol shrimp pair

Does anyone have advice on a nice setup?

 

[slitherbomb]

The easiest/cheapest route is making the refugium yourself. My 40g has a 20g long as a refugium. It took less than 3 hours to completely make it. You also need an overflow, but IMO you should buy that. Then you need a return pump.