[KodiakBear]

I started out with a pretty simple setup. Just my tank and a 1gal canister filter (fluval 304 to be precise). After hearing the benefits of a sump, I decided to build one. Starting to think I should have read up on it more.
This is what I've got:
My intake comes from an overflow box, through some 1inch PVC... Flows through the filter, bioballs, then charcoal to enter through the 3 inch sand bed in what I had intended as a refugium. It then goes to the 3rd chamber where I have my protein skimmer and return pump. The return line is a 3/4 inch tube.
Now, I didn't want the Fluval to go to waste; so, instead of buying a large return pump,I connected a small "booster pump" to its suction to make up for the lost siphon pressure that the fluval is designed for. This seems to be working decently so far (though I'm still trying to tweak in a little more flow from it). My concern lies with the refugium. It seems as though every fuge/sump combo I've seen since I've made this has the fuge and return opposite of what I've built.
Will this design still work as a refugium, or should I scrap it and start over? Anyone have any ideas for how I can improve the pump combination's output?
Just looking for some opinions here, and I'm pretty good at taking constructive criticisms, so please don't feel like you should hold back.