I obtained a 2′ x 1.5′ x 1.5′ tank which I want to divide up into 3 sections. The skimmer will be sitting externally so the first chamber is small (with a bubble trap). The second chamber will be a Deep Sand Bed or Refugium (haven’t decided yet). Finally the 3rd chamber is the return section (where top ups will be done).  Unfortunately, this is the biggest sump I could fit in my cabinet without some serious remodelling. I think it should be ok, but time will tell.

After placing the sump on the dinner table you draw a rough idea on where the glass sheets will go (I had previously had some glass made up for me so I had already measured it all out).

I placed the two outer glass panes with silicon. I thought I was quite clever in using magnets to hold the glass in place while I ran a bead of silicon around each sheet of glass. Silicon when curing has a very strong vinegar smell which went through the whole house.

After an hour or so I was banned from continuing inside (due to the smell) so I migrated out to the back cover. I was starting to get sick of the smell myself. I must remember not to silicon inside the house.

After moving outside I was trying to work out how I was going to rig up the next piece of glass as it sits up in the air. You can see below my awesome skills in carpentry at work again as i rigged up a template. Those magnets came in handy again.

You can see one of the magnets are a little ‘algea’ green.. that’s from my fresh water tank (I needed an extra pair of ‘hands’ for this one.

Finally I placed in the final piece of baffle. I also put the bracing back on the tank. Again my awesome carpentry skills are at work again. I probably don’t need this brace, but it might be handy for a lid of some sort. I can always remove it.

After waiting a few days (next weekend) for the silicon to cure it was time to fill her up and test there were no leaks.

So far so good.. the first chamber done, and the bubble trap was working as I intended. It isn’t often things work first time for me.

I’ll fast forward here, to where the sump is almost full. No leaks! I even tried to make micro bubbles with the hose in the first chamber while it was being filled, and the bubble trap works as designed.

Here is the same picture as above, but I’ve drawn on how the sump is going to be working. Simple

Here it is, in it’s final resting place. I underestimated how much heavier the sump was with the extra panes of glass in it. Too a bit to get it in there (I have to put it in sideways, and rotate it 90 deg as i move towards the right. This gives me enough space for some extra things on the left (like an auto topup device) and other equipment.

Still a bit more to do before I see any water.

• buy a return pump (I blew up the last one).
• plumbing the sump, skimmer and return pumps.
• get an electrician to put in some power points (I want a sep. circuit for the tank).
• IBC for outside (for water storage).
• Lights
• Powerheads

I’m getting closer….