Sump help

[gregzz4]

My filter socks are completely submerged. I think it keeps them quiet
I'd remove the drip tray completely as it's too high to have submerged socks. Doesn't the tray just lift out ?
Put the new baffle in I was talking about and then decide what height you want the sock tray to be at. Use the return pump to circulate the sump alone to see how things are going to work
For your sock tray, I'm thinking you'll want to use verticle legs on the bio-ball shelf support pieces to support the sock tray. You can adjust the legs to get the tray height you want once the new baffle is installed

For the baffle, I suggest you start with a piece of glass for testing. Use silicone to seal it up
Once your happy with how it works, you may want to install a permanent one using acrylic and glue it in. But, keep in mind that once this is done, it will be nearly impossible to remove later
I say this as silicone doesn't hold glass on acrylic very well and could let go at some later time

You won't need or be able to grow chaeto right away, so worry about it later once you're happy with the way the sump is running. And ya, you can light it from the side