45g custom cube journal (latest pics: Jun 4)

[kwirky]

Originally Posted by digital-audiophile

Sean, could you post more pictures of your sump. I really need to get a new one built and am looking or ideas.

here are some pictures of my sump:




I'm going to try a sqwd for my return and see how that goes. It will use filter (3rd picture. sumps not in the picture yet).

Albert designed the "adjustable water level" chamber for the skimmer. I don't know how often it will have to be tuned. If it's often I'll just run it at maximum level (fully closed). (2nd picture).

The sump will stick out the back of the stand by 6". I wanted as much water volume in it as possible because 45g of tank water isn't much room for chemistry. The sump will hold 30g if kept completely full to the top of the middle divider.

I'm going to try running the sump with my mag 7. The filter socks are supposed to help with microbubbles. I don't know the maximum water flow through the 1.5" overflow pipe. I'd like to run a higher flow pump for the sqwd.

[kwirky]

I picked up the majority of my lights today. 250W galexy ballast and a lumenmax 3 reflector. No bulb yet. I'm thinking of running it with a geisseman 13k bulb. I actually like that "shallow water" look. I'm thinking of painting the back white and running a very shallow sand bed *gasp sand!* lol.

I've grown into really liking the look of white glass from working at the store. It makes it much easier to clean because you see everything right away and it'll help keep the temperature down (vs black glass getting hot under the lights).

I think my current 150W aquaconnect is a little too blue for my tastes. I had a 150W geisseman before and man was it bright!

If I need to I can add t5 actinics down the road but I'd have plenty of par from a 250W 10k even if it's an electronic ballast.

so yeah, 250W halide for an 18" tall tank woot!