Asylumdown's 275 Tank build

[asylumdown]

Delivery of the stand and the sump happened today. I could barely concentrate at work thinking about it all day.

Here's some pics. For various reasons, we ended up needing to go with a sump design that was closer to my original version, but modified in ways that make it much, much better. One thing is for sure, this sump is a beast, it's bigger than most people's aquariums! When it's running it will hold over 100 gallons of water.






The sump is big enough that it needed to be in place with the stand lowered on top of it. Thankfully everything fit pretty much perfectly.






The highest water level in the sump when it's running will be the skimmer chamber, at 18 inches deep (the skimmer will be sitting on a 9 inch stand), then it diverts in to two chambers, a smaller refugium area where I'll culture macro algae for my tangs/grow frags, and the main water change chamber (17 inches deep). Then it exits the water change chamber in to the return area, where the lowest water level will be about 15.5 inches deep. When I want to do a water change, I'll divert the water from entering the skimmer chamber, in to the back of the return chamber, It basically isolates the entire sump from the main tank, but since the water level in the skimmer chamber will never change it will just run on still water while I empty and refill the water change chamber. This design leaves plenty of room for reactors (like, tons of room), and I'll probably still have enough room next to the tank for a single reactor if I want it.

[reefermadness]

Wow....nice planning and great work so far.

I probably shouldnt say this but the only thing I can see that would bug me with the sump is that it looks like it will be a real pain working in there because its so high.

The other thing is I think you will need more light than 3x250w and PC lighting...especially if you want some colourful SPS.

Amazing work and planning so far though.

[asylumdown]

Originally Posted by reefermadness

Wow....nice planning and great work so far.

I probably shouldnt say this but the only thing I can see that would bug me with the sump is that it looks like it will be a real pain working in there because its so high.

The other thing is I think you will need more light than 3x250w and PC lighting...especially if you want some colourful SPS.

Amazing work and planning so far though.

Yah, I was a little concerned about that, but all the major stuff is right up at the front, and the hardest to reach areas will only need love once every few months. Since this design pretty much automates water changes, I'm basically trading one weekly pain in the butt for a slightly less convenient cabinet. Everything will still fit inside, and I'll still be able to reach everything, which is what matters.