Setting up a display refugium

[esimplx]

Good afternoon! I have a 125g display with a 100g basement sump (stock tank). I want to add a large refugium as a source of pods, nutrient export, and pH buffer. I picked up a rimless 50g tank that I want to set up as a combination macro algae display and fuge. The lighting cycle would be reverse of the main tank.
First I can't decide if I should go with sand, mud, or bare bottom. I'm worried the decreased number of detritovours compared the main display may cause iddues.
Second, cuc? I want to keep it simple but also want the tank look well cared for. In the main I have a foxface and a urchin that keep things tidy, but that won't work in a fuge.
Let me know your thoughts, I would love to see what other have done to make a "display refugium"!

 

[esimplx]

A few pictures of the setup. Tank is still a work in progress, especially on the coral front, but everything is happy so far.
2 clowns
3 blue chromis
1 one spot foxface
Long spine urchin
Lot of various cuc and inverts including a pistol shrimp, a conch, a few starfish ect

 

[zaphod42]

I know this is a couple of months old, but did you end up setting up a display refugium? How's it working out for you? Pictures?

 

[Peer.Boerner]

I know this is a couple of months old, but did you end up setting up a display refugium? How's it working out for you? Pictures?

I’m keenly interested in doing exactly the same thing. However in my case, I’d like to have the display Refugium next to the display tank. My goal is to grow macro algae that’s pleasing to view plus copepods and other beneficial things. I’ll prune the algae for nutrient export. Since it’s next to the display tank, won’t be able to use reverse light schedule but the other benefits outweigh that. Curious what others may have done in terms of plumbing, flow, lights etc.