90G SW Build (Pics & Vid 10/26/12)

Current state (2012-10-26):



Stand is finished



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The buying has begun.

Purchased my 40G breeder & 10G ATO tank from Petco today, they're having the $1 sale near me!

Here's my current sketchup, still need to workout downdraft & ato plumbing and electrical.



I definitely made a lot of mistakes on my last build that I don't plan on repeating on this one!

Stand is going to be DIY built. Two full sized cabinet doors on the front and sides.

Sump design, plumbing & electrical details to follow.

 

The layout looks great! I can't wait to see how it goes

 

Cool. I like the elevated refugium.
Are all those baffles to reduce bubbles or do you plan on using them? I have been removing baffles from mine to make room for hardware.

 

I think that's the ATO tank.

But +1 here. That bubble trap has twice the baffles you need.

 

Flow is L-to-R.



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First is down pipe & skimmer.

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Then bubble trap baffles only made sense to me in groups of two, this would have two bubble traps. In my old sump, a 10g, I had always had microbubbles with just 2 panes.

Is this overkill? Just baffles 1&2 would be fine? 2" spacing would be adequate in a 40g breeder? I'll take the extra room!

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Next is the ATO valve and return pump. I was planning on using a non-powered float-type ato, piped to the ATO reservoir on the far right.

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Last is the Refugium. I know there's some debate on these, I like them and plan on keeping this.

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What other in-sump equipment are you guys trying to make room for? I'd like to plan ahead for my future "wish list".

 

I would definately only go with the two baffles. My sump only has two and no micro bubbles get into the second compartment from my skimmer/intake section.

Interesting. I have been looking at putting in an ATO of some description into my tank but never knew how to do it. I like the idea of yours. Pity I have no room left under my tank.

Looks good though. Any room for reactors etc? Maybe some of those baffles could make some room for some.

Are you planning on using a filter sock etc for the intake? If so, you may not have room for a skimmer, and it might have to be mounted outside the tank. I definately didnt have enough room in mine for one after adding the filter sock mount.

 

I like the design but compleatly agree on the baffles you really only need 3 at the most. I like your ATO idea but are you just going to use a float valve, or is there a special type of bit that goes in the tank?

 

I'm a bit over compulsive with certain things, like topping off my sump. 1/2g down in my old one and it would kill me not to fill it... I'm hoping the gravity-fed 10g ATO reservoir will stop that.

I still have my old wet pump still, but plan on swapping out to an external pump once the time is right so that space will be free.

The sock holder & skimmer should have about 4" between them, but I won't know until I start trying to cram them into the tank. Thanks for the heads up though, I might just push the two baffles out to the right.

I'm hoping to have my acrylic baffles Tuesday so I can start mocking it up IRL.

 

I think you guys have convinced me to go with 2 baffles. I may just space them 3" for my own piece of mind.

I was planning on using a float similar to a "bubble magus float valve". I'm trying to come up with an easy siphon fed method but might just drill the 10g at the bottom. One of my goals is to minimize the amount of motors in the tanks.

 

I agree with you there less heat and electricty