Here's the design and build of my new sump... a 20g long aquarium. the first chamber measures approx. 13" because I want to fit any type of skimmer I ever would want to fit in it, and if I want to later I could convert it to a fuge,... whatever fits my fancy. The second chamber is smaller, but it will hold different filter medias and some additional live rock. The third chamber, of course, is my return pump section.

Mark it out

Gather Supplies

Tape it up

Install main baffles first.

Working with egg crate makes a big mess, but it's worth it if you are building filters into your sump. The center egg crate can easily lift out, and is suspended on each side with some egg crate siliconed to the baffle. The egg crate on the left that is siliconed into the return pump chamber is going to be used as something for a float valve to attach to.


The sump is in it's final resting place. hehe

I just finished installing a bulkhead with a john guest fitting on the side of the RO Resivoire (sp?)


Then I installed the float valve in the sump at the proper level and used a John Guest ball valve on the feed line for different maintenance tasks. Never know when it may come in handy.

The pump that I am using on this system is a mag drive 3. I'll explain more about my equipment in the next post.

I just realized that I didn't post the pic I needed in the last post. Here is what I was talking about:

I have put a lot of thought into this system, but I would also like some opinions as well.

For equipment I already have:
20g high display tank
20g long sump, custom baffled
float valve auto top off
custom built stand
40 pounds live rock
30 pounds sand - which will not be used in the new system. I am going barebottom.
Koralia nano 240 powerhead (I know, not enough... but I use what I got...)
ph300 powerhead running the algae scrubber
2x Rio1100s, one for a return pump on "old" system and one for mixing saltwater.
Danner Mag Drive 3 - return pump for "new" system
Eshopps PK Nano (rated for 200gph of overflow capacity) (may upgrade later,... ??)
8x6" algae scrubber with two 43w CFL bulbs (Grows like crazy!)
24" Nova Extreme 4x24w T5HO unit with individual reflectors. (will change bulbs soon for better PAR reading. Looking into LEDs as a major upgrade in the future.

Livestock:
2x tomato clownfish
1x bi-color blenny
1x cleaner shrimp
various snails and hermits
I want this tank to be an SPS dominated tank. I'm keeping fish to a minimum.

Equipment that I want to buy:
Protein skimmer (still undecided between an Octopus NWB110 or an SC150)
Vortech MP20 powerhead
Modify my algae scrubber to fit in 10g aquarium
Apex controller/monitor
Mini Ca reactor (forgot brand name)

Umm, that's just about it.

So I guess these forums are dead....

Oh well.

Thanks for looking, if anyone does.

What did you find wrong with the horizontal algae scrubber. That is something I was going to do and thought it would work really well. Less water noise and less moisture loss. What problems did you run into? Thanks.

Very nice thought pot plan. I hope you continue to up date this thread. One question though y no refugium?

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my 75g build---->http://www.aquariumforum.com/f45/fin...ild-18272.html
75g beasolbob tank peat moss & safe-t-sorb 5congo tetras,2bristle nose plecs, 2 German blue Rams

I will update occasionally. I added a few things. I got a phosban reactor and a decent protein skimmer - an sc65. It fills the cup every three days. The algae scrubber is a verticals refugium. It uses algae to remove nitrate and phosphates from the water. Gotta clean it every 7 days.

Nitrate 0
Phosphate 0
My pH is 8.2
Ca 440ppm
Alkalinity 10dKh
Mg 1350ppm

I'm adding six SPS frags in the morning. My montipora is healing nicely and growing in some spots. I am getting new Ati bulbs in the mail hopefully in the next week. My new bulbs are as follows:

Ati blue plus x2
Ati purple plus
Ati coral plus.

I'm hoping that the new bulbs will give a 14k look to the tank and improve growth and coloration. Just have to see. Upgrading from bulbs with 100 par to 220 par is a 120% increase in available light, so it should have a tremendous effect on growth and patterns.

Anyways, that's all for now. I'll post pics when I get around to it.