Approved hardware set up with new refugium, need opinions!

[Electrobes]

Okay As I have mentioned earlier I have a 45G all tank, and have built a 29 gallon refugium. I am not sure exactly what flow rate is suggested witha refugium system in mind, but I figured a turn over of 7 times per hour (a mag drive 7 with 5.5 feet head = about 450 GPH... divided by about 60G of true water gives me about 7 times turnover) would be good as is not too fast for the plants to pick up junk in the water. So yeah I was thinking a mag drive 7 for the return pump and use my useless Rio 1400 for the skimmer.
I can make an overflow box out of acrylic... but for a 45G tank with a 29G refugium, what dimensions should the overflow box be? Any suggestions I should take into account for the design of the overflow box? Thanks!

 

[Electrobes]

Anyone? I need to draw out the plans tonight to give to my dad tomorrow to cut out the pieces.. also what would limit the flushing noise ??

 

[Electrobes]

okay last try... then I'll give up and just go with the 9.5 Mag for the return and the Rio 1400 for the skimmer pump

 

[dansemacabre]

LOL. I think the 9.5 would be way too powerful for a fuge. I'd go with your Mag 7, or perhaps even a Mag 5. You don't want it to go through too fast, as it'll disturb the plants. As far as the overflow box, the thinner and longer the actual overflow portion is, the more surface water it skims, and the more DOCs it catches. As for the side outside the tank, whatever size can accomodate your PVC pipes. So if you're going with 1" pipe, make enough room for those, and I'd recommend a little more room around the bulkhead for cleaning/comfort. It really is up to you as far as the area exposed to the water...but (looking at the tank from the front) the greater size the overflow is from left to right, the better than it would be a square, and better than it would be front to back. HTH, if you need, ask more questions...I'm moving my little African Cichlids upstairs, and they're lookin' at me like I'm insane. Who's to argue with 'em!