This is the new design with the 68G with 130G sump. Beside the tank is a bar/table with viewable refugium below (about 3.5' will be viewable) through a sheet of removable acrylic. The area where you see the plumbing behind the tank is actually partly against a wall and party in a little alcove. It hides the plumbing perfectly and also fits a brute garbage can perfectly for auto top off. This all faces into the room and right at the TV. The only thing I don't like is that there is no room to put your feet under the table but the stools I have already have foot rests. Plus I doubt it will actually get used all that much ;)

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...h/NewTank1.jpg

if you put the refugium before the skimmer, wont the skimmer take all the pods and everything out before they hit the tank?? just curious thought it was best the other way around.

Hahaa I meant Wendy's not BK must have been sniffing too much skimmate and after I saw your post in the equiptment section to confirm that yes it is. I think the new set up will be pretty cosher it already looks pretty neat that you can combine the 2 together. btw pm sent

I don't know but I have done it this way many times and it seemed fine. Pods are not likely to go over the baffles anyways and get to the skimmer. Especially in a 4' refugium. I didn't draw it since that was a quick 5 minute drawing but only half the drain goes to the far end and the rest goes straight to the skimmer. This is how I have set up all my tanks pretty much and been fine.

I wouldn't use the crooked pvc pictured in the drawing.... :)

Put in some more baffles, have the refugium seperate, have a big skimmer section, have the return in the middle. Have the drain go into both the skimmer section and refugium...then drain to the middle for return.

Here is a link to, I think, a nice design.
http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/f/sump_f.html

Yeah I tossed that idea out right away ;)

Sounds like a plan. To be honest that drawing was not a real plan for the sump, just a quick sketch to show where the refugium will be. I am set on keeping the fuge 4' long though because I am keeping one of my puffers in there for now. Plus aesthetically for viewing it needs to be 4' give or take.

Your idea with the return in the middle will work perfectly though. Thanks.

is it going to be right on the floor? are there going to be those chairs in the way cause if they are you really wont be able to see it very good, unless it doesnt matter to you at all, just a place to put some unwanted fish and other things.

I think you meant "see it very well..."

Anyways...

Its exactly where my viewable fuge is now and I have been very happy with it. Its not quite on the floor. The Bar stools do not cover much space at all. They certainly do not cover up 4'. I would say the "support pole" is about 3" wide max. So yeah I guess about 6" will be in the way.

I find your "unwanted fish and other things" ridiculous. Why would I keep unwanted fish? I am not really sure how to take that or what your point was?