Talked to the guys at Concept and got them to redesign it. Have gone with a much simpler sump based on their recommendations.

Thanks for the comments, I'm positive I'll be happier with the result. :)

Thanks again to the guys at Concept for putting up with my rookie silliness.

What does your final sump design look like after talking with Concept?

Will you be able to post your new design?

Oh ya, I suppose I coulda done that.

Sock and drain top left, into a cryptic zone. Big main skimmer chamber in the middle and return on the right.

http://www.aquaticlog.com/showcase/i...imageId=144837

Went and did some shopping today. :)

Picked up a bunch of tonga branch and shelf from Eli.

Then swung by Concepts and sorted out a CoralBox d700 skimmer and Jebao dct4000 return.

http://www.aquaticlog.com/showcase/i...imageId=144963

http://www.aquaticlog.com/showcase/i...imageId=144966

Have had the rock in water for a couple of weeks now.

Picked up the stand from Concept last week. Now working on finalizing my design for stand skin and canopy.

Here's a mockup so far. Front will have a panel with doors. Canopy will be hinged to allow front to lift up, and will put a couple doors in the front for quick easy access. I plan on suspending the lights from a support that can slide front to back to allow positioning and move out of the way for easier access to tank.

Sump and pipes will be enclosed in a sealed tray and backsplash. Should give me about 10 gallons of "uh oh" overflow and spillage before any water hits the floor. I'll have a water sensor in there to alert should that start to happen.

http://www.aquaticlog.com/showcase/i...imageId=146040

Looks great. Are you going to be putting ATO container outside the stands?

Thanks.

Yep, I have some dead space under my desk right beside the stand. Gong to start with a 20 gallonish ATO container there.

Got a bunch of work done on the stand.

Top and bottom boards are done along with the main tray that will hold the sump and plumbing.

Panels are in the garage getting stained and magnets attached.

http://www.aquaticlog.com/showcase/i...imageId=147375

Got the stand skin finished. Woo Hoo!

Skin has multiple coats of stain on it. Used magnets (6 on side, 7 on front) to hold the panels on. Strong enough to prevent the kids from pulling panels off. Going to use childproof magnetic latches for the doors as well.

Canopy still needs to be built. That will start once I have the tank in hand.

Have all the pieces I need for now, hoping to get the tank in the next week. :big grin:

http://www.aquaticlog.com/showcase/i...imageId=148056

Would you mind explaining what all those chambers are for ? I suspect there's a return, skimmer, reactor, sock chamber in there somewhere ? I would also echo that the baffles seem high. At the end of the day it's all a matter of preference. If you prefer running a high water level then that's fine, but I don't think it's necessary to. In my experience I've always had issues with high level sumps (water overflow, more we walls for tube worms to grow on, cramped compartments making it difficult to get stuff in and out of, etc).