AGA 54 bow/corner cabinet stuffing thoughts

[bgi]

I'm setting up this AGA 54 bow/corner. I am making the largest sump I can fit in the door. It is about 19" long, 12" wide, 18" tall, and looks like it will safely hold 17 gallons. This sits against one side occupying the rear corner up through the right corner. There is enough room in the left corner to either:

1) A refugium (12"x11"). Yea, that's small.

2) A calcium reactor. I have a MRC nano dual stage which can be stuffed in there after some surgery on the base and re-arranging of components and/or plumbing.

I'm soliciting opinions. Should I install the calcium reactor or the refugium? From what I've read with alk and calcium maintenance, the calcium reactor will be a major timesaver. But I also think I want some nutrient-absorbing macro algae in a refugium. I also had planned on a DSB in the refugium: yea, it would be small, but I don't plan on having many fish, so nitrate production should be low.

Hey, here's an alternative: Perhaps I could install the calcium reactor in the open space and squeeze a small refugium into the sump design. I have some design time, the glue hasn't arrived yet. ;-)

Thoughts? Suggestions on the above?

Water movement:
I'm using a Mag 3 return pump (tried a Mag 9 on the suggestion of someone using one in the same tank who claimed it was silent - no way!!! Noisy as #&^ just going over the overflow, that overflow can't hardly manage the flow). Had to resort to powerheads (MaxiJet 600 and 900) to get enough movement.

Lights:
Reef Optics III 250W DE with Ice Cap ballast and AB 20K DE bulb.

Should be able to support any coral, yea?

thanks

[wildemon]

A mag3 will make so little current in your sump, you should have no problem with planting most of it [except for the pump pickup area]. Just add a growlight and sand/mud. I found bioballs to greatly reduce the noise of falling water from the tank into the overflow and from the tank into the sump.

[bgi]

Great idea. The Mag 3 is in use now because it's what I have. I could use a larger pump, but since I had to go with power heads to get enough movement after silencing the overflow (durso and all), it's kinda moot. The only overflow noise I have now is a very slight trickle sound. The skimmer makes more noise.

[Melissa]

Hey, bgi,
The tank I just got has a refugium in the sump. The sump is acrylic and the refugium is a rubbermaid container that sits in the sump. Maybe that would work for you too. Then you can have both the fuge and the reactor!

Melissa