[Myka]

I Googled your pump. No wonder I don't recognize it...it's a spa pump. can't find flow rating for it. Will post if i do.

Originally Posted by Hustler

the stand is 32" high Oh there is 32" under there? Doesn't look like it! Ok, that helps. Now, measure from the bottom of the sump up to the bottom of the tank to see how tall of a skimmer can sit in the sump. Makes sure you account for glass thickness. The stand opening doesn't matter...depending how your stand is designed you will measure up to the bottom of the tank or maybe there is a layer of plywood under there.

but between the top of the sump and stand its 10" give or take. Ok, this means you have to find a skimmer that has a skimmer cup that is less than 10" tall so you can get the cup out a couple times per week to clean it.

I can put the skimmer on the opposite end and I have a few baffles in there to eat up any champange bubbles. It also causes very little heat or noise the tank runs at 76f with the heaters unplugged. The order in a basic sump is mechanical filtration, skimmer, baffles, return chamber.

Mechanical filtration; machine-washable filter sock, or go to a fabric store and buy 100% polyester quilting material that is about 1.5" thick. It is different than pillow material...pillow material is fluffy globs, quilting material is flat sheets/rolls. The quilting material is use and toss, it is not reusable nor washable. You would have to make a rack to hold the bulk material. You will change out any type of mechanical filtration at least once a week.

Baffles determine the water height for the skimmer. Buy your skimmer first, and read the manual to find out the suggested water height. Most skimmers run best around 8" (as a rough idea to give you). I find it works best if you have the first skimmer 1" off the bottom, next baffle touching the bottom, next baffle up 1". The last baffle before the return is always up 1" to get the least amount of bubbles to the return pump. The baffles are all the same height (so every second one is up an inch off the bottom so it sticks up an inch higher), don't make the mistake of running baffles up really high because then they are a pain to clean or retrieve something you drop in there. Three baffles is typical, five baffles is plenty.

The pump is a century lasar BN50. Good God that thing is a hog! It is 1.5HP and draws 16.4 amps on full. That is one expensive beast. Apparently it is generally sold for hot tub use. Usually I would be quite leery about using a pump not designed for aquarium use because many of them with leak their lubricating oils a bit. Wow, you could save a lot of money by upgrading to a new pump(s).

I will be making a few trips to local pet stores for more info but I always seem to get sold on something that never quite cuts it when i get home lol. I really appreciate the help you all are throwing my way.... Seems this was the place to find I would suggest you don't buy anything significant without double checking with the experienced and friendly "staff" at CanReef. Pet stores will always makes something sound SO awesome you just can't do without it. Be very choosy about your skimmer...that is the backbone of your reef.