Can I use a U tube for refuge

[eggy5404]

Hi
I have a 5 gallon non drilled tank that I would like to setup as my refuge separate from my 15 gallon sump.
I will have it elavated higher than my sump and I have an extra U tube that came with my lifereef overflow box.
Can I use this tube to have the refuge water drain into the sump?
Will I need a pump in the refuge to push the water out of the U tube?
My only other option is to use a plastic container for the refuge and then figure out how to make a hole and add a bulkhead.
Any ideas are really appreciated. Thanks.

 

[bang guy]

Using a 'U' tube in the wrong condition can be a disaster. To use it the sump & refugium tops need to be at the same level and the water level in the sump where the 'U' tupe spills into needs to be near the water level you wish to maintain in the refuge. There are a few ways to do this. If I were in your shoes I would have the 'U' tube empty into a tall glass where the rim of the glass perfectly matches the level of the refugium. That way if you don't add water to the refuge then no water is drained. If you add water it immediately drains into the glass and then into the sump.
Your flow rate will be extremely limited this way but that's the only way I can imagine to make it safe.

 

[reefnut]

Tried it, well sorta. I used 3/4" tubing and ran it from the fuge to the sump. In doth the sump and the fuge I had 2" PVC glued water tight to the bottom of the tanks and tall enough to maintain the levels I wanted.
It worked but there was always the fear of it failing. Shortly after I switched to a rubbermade tub.

 

[dreeves]

For one of my refuge's...I made an overflow box out of two plastic drinking glasses mounted to formed acrylic holders, placed on either side of the tank with a hole drilled/cut in the exterior one to accomondate a 1"pvc screw in with silicone...the ******** side I cut a section of the glass lid out about 1/2 inch deep to provide for the water intake...put the U tube over and into the two cups..plumbed the exterior down to the sump water level and instant overflow for the fuge...