Sump design for 72 gallon Bow, with diagram.....

I need your aproval guys.

Im planning for a future (hopefully near future), 72 gallon reef. Now the problem is, i have a bow front tank, and they have limtis as to how big your sump can be due to the bow.

I can't fit anything more then 24 inches wide, so this is the plan.....

I'll basically be taking a 20 gallon high, and throwing in 3 glass or plexi glass panels near the middle of the tank to break up the water movement and any small bubbles before being pumped into the tank via 1200 GPH water pump.

Now id like to have a refugium, but it's not really possible when you only have 24 inches of space to play with, and a skimmer with a large foot print (8.5 x 10) and a large water pump.

So, along with that 20 gallon sump (diagram provided), i plan on adding one of these.....
http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart...2.shtml?L+scstore+ftff8877ff614961+1134044465

It's a CPR-Aquatics 18" AquaFuge Hang-On Refugium with Rio 400, roughly 3.5 gallons.

What do you guys think about this?? This way, id get a extra 20 gallons of water (more like 10 since only half filled) with the sump, and still have a Refugium, which would add a further 3.5 gallons.

Opinions??

No one??

Im planning on getting the equipment tomorrow for my nano and 72, but would like some opinions first.

mogurnda said:

The sump plan looks nice. Enough room for the skimmer, return and bubble trap.

I have used, and still use, HOB fuges, and they can be good for keeping pH stable (if kept on a reverse photoperiod), and are great for cultivating microfauna. The problem is that they are usually hard to access, and you don't get the pleasure of watching all the little creatures, unless the tank is far enough away from the wall for you to get behind it. Because of the low flow and the shape of the fuge, you also have to be careful not to let too much debris collect, or you can get anaerobic areas.

Nonetheless, with some nice rubble in the bottom and a wad of chaetomorpha algae at the top, it can be a great source of plankton.

If you had the space and inclination, you might think about plumbing a 10 gallon as a display fuge. It would probably be cheaper than the aquafuge, and could grow enough macroalgae to do some serious nutrient export and provide a little enrtertainment.

Click to expand...

Thanks!!

could macro algae not be grown in the HOB though with a small acnic light??

I really don't have the room for another 10 gallon unfortanately.