Really fast drowing in paint will git one better when not so late but would this work for a skimmer/refugium. The purple is the overflow pluming and pump to send it back into the tank would something like this work kinda making a under the tank style with a hob style to sit on stand behind the tank I am planning on blacking out back of tank so u cant see any of it though the front.
You should have a skimmer but don't need a refuge... I don't have one and my tank is running beautifully. The refuge is to grow algae and pods. The skimmer remove waste in the water which helps water quality. A refuge can also be used to place salt water plants in which can also remove nitrates and ammonia but its not needed if you do water changes regularly and have a skimmer.