so after lookin around and doin some research, i'm gonna try and build a sump tank. i just had a few quick questions:

how much space should i give the filter and skimmer in their own compartments?

should i put live rock in the sump, the tank, or both (and is fiji rock good)?

does gravity feed the sump input and a pump feed the return?

i appreciate any info you guys are willin to give. thanks for you time.

-Keith

im looking into getting a 38 gallon for the sump. and hopefully the "Reef Tank DIY sump tank" videos i found on youtube are good enough for an octo.

Make sure you can octoproof the overflow and return, that's the main difference. There are some posts about DIY sumps from a while back that have a lot of good ideas, I think they're in "tank talk" mostly. An important thing to keep in mind is making sure that if the pump fails, there's something to stop most of the water from draining or siphoning into the sump (or overflowing the sump!) so it's "fail safe" rather than "fail wet."

sweet. ill check em out then draft out my final sump design for opinions and advice.

I'm not sure what file type is gonna show up so im just gonna throw em all in there. Let me get some opinions on this design. Tell me if theres any major flaws or anything im forgetting. Since my tank is only a 75 gallon anyways, i'm going to put all my live rock IN the tank so I can still fit everything in the sump, unless thats a bad thing that is.

The equipment im plannin on using in the sump is:
- This filter http://www.aquacrylics.com/150info.htm
- A SeaClone 150 gallon skimmer
- A Rainbow Lifegard Quiet One Aquarium Water Pump
(Not sure what model to get, if I could get an opinion on that too it'd be great. Below is the site i'll be gettin one from.) http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~pumps_pentair_ aquatics_rainbow_lifegard_quiet_one.html

Here's the design. Hopefully you guys can see one of these.

http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f42/Slayer84092/?action=view&current=mysumpdesign.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f42/Slayer84092/mysumpdesign.jpg

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f42/Slayer84092/?action=view&current=mysumpdesign.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f42/Slayer84092/mysumpdesign.jpg" border="0" alt="my sump design"></a>

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f42/Slayer84092/mysumpdesign.jpg

But yea, let me know whats up guys. Take it easy.

-Keith

and yes its a crappy drawing. it was a quick sketch. dont judge.

-Keith

sweet. it showed up.