My 97G Reef Build
 

Figured I may as well start a build thread for this one.

Ordered a new tank/sump/stand from Concept this week. :)

36x26x24 display with external herbie
30x20x16 4 chamber sump
36 tall stand

Should get the tank some time in March. Can't wait to get started.

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/...psotplbod1.png

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/...psyaq8dkre.png

Tank looks great.
As for the sump, looks like it will be running nearly full of water with those baffles soo high?
I have never really understood the point of the multi baffle sumps.

It is fairly high I guess. Nobody else has pointed that out yet to be honest. I've done the math and it will hold all water once pumps turned off, so figured it would work.

I went for the chambers for flexibility. It will allow me to move things around and try different things out. It's my first large tank with a sump, so wasn't quite sure what I'd really want once I get it running.

Look a bit high for my taste . Just think how close the water will be in the first chamber. Are you planning to run filter socks or floss?

IMO a simpler sump with way less baffles will be easier to clean and provide greater flexibility when it comes to the size of equipment you can place in it.

Sock only when I need to.

Is your return line just going to hang over the top of the tank? If so, back siphoning can be eliminated with a simple tiny hole drilled in the return. Right about water height. Then you dont have to worry about your sump levels when the pump turns off, as your baffles are pretty tall.

That's the plan. Expecting tank to only drain 1/4 to 1/2 inch.

I personally would make a less complicated sump, I find the more compartments the more detritus it traps.

Got it. Working on a redesign.

I agree. I've never found the need for more than 2 baffles. One siliconed on three sides (including the bottom) to create the right water level height for the skimmer "box", and a second slightly raised to separate the middle refugium and the end return pump sections. Each baffle I get cut to the ideal skimmer water level height so if the skimmer works best in 9" of water, that's how tall I cut the baffles. The second raised baffle also acts to trap microbubbles.