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I would use a sump / refugium in a heartbeat. Especially if it's going to be a reef. It is a bit more pricey to do but offers way more benefits in the long run, especially if you plan on growing any macro algae in it.
Yeah the sump will provide an area with no predators for the pods for them to breed. The macro algae will grow and will use nutrients from the water to grow so will reduce the nutrients in the water as long as you trim the excess macro algae.