i would like to set up a coral farming system and needed some opinions on my idea. i would like to have a 100g mother tank and 2 55 gal grow out tanks. i also would like to run all the tanks on the same system. should have the mother tank just over flow into 1 frag tank then the first frag tank over flow to the 2nd, and then have it pumped to the stump and return to the mother. also for this type of system would it be a good idea to run a above tank refugium, have raw water pumped up from the mother tank then over flow return back to mother tank. if so what size refugium should i use. 

links to good websites wanted too

If it were me and it could be setup this way with space considerations, I would have two or more drains on the mother colony tank so that water could overflow from there into each frag tank separately. Running everything in one system runs the risk of disease spreading, so minimizing that risk is paramount. I would then have both frag tanks overflow into the sump. All water pumped out of the sump should go through a UV sterilizer. Get on slightly oversized for your needs. Emperor Aquatic is a brand I have used often in the past and like.

As to the refugium, that too is a good idea. Place it above the mother colony tank for best use and have it gravity feed down. The bigger the better.

 I have a similar setup where I have a 300 gallon "mother tank" and 2 x 50 gallon Rubbermaids as a prop tanks.  I too have a refugium over the mother, I actually use it more as a skimmer box, but it does have a small refugium section.  I actually run my entire 400 gallon system with one Iwaki 100 pump and a 1 Iwaki closed loop that also feeds my chiller.  The water is pumped out of my bottom prop tank and the return pump is what drives the skimmer.  From there all the water just trickles down each chamber.  I have implemented a surge system in my prop tanks that uses zero pumps, nothing but relentless gravity and a few well placed pipes to create a siphon.

I strongly agree with Steven Pro and his suggestions, especially about having two drains.  Its always good to have a backup.  UV might be a good idea.  I would only add that you may want to consider a strict regimen of carbon, and change it frequently.   Hope this helps

 

Cisco

http://www.CulturedMarine.com