Your fuge idea should be fine. You may lose some pods in the return pump, but they are so small that many of them will make the trip without any problems. Might be a little dizzy when they get there, but still alive.
You may want to put your Maxi_Jet Mods on either 400s or 900s instead so you get the wide flow without the excessive power. The Sure Flow mod kits will fit on any of the Maxi-Jets, you just use the smaller propeller.