i got my glass so i figured id start my thread. hope this is interesting lol. the entire tank has a footprint of 20x24 however it will be an AIO system so the rear 4 or 5 inches will be dedicated to equipment. it is 13.5 inches tall and the water level will sit at about 12 inches. i still have not decided on a skimmer. i would be willing to dedicated more depth in the back to a skimmer my max is prolly 6 inches but not much more since i really want the display to be square. if anyone has suggestions on skimmers id love to hear it. i was thinking about a MJ 1200 as my return but im starting to think that wont be enough i havnt driled my divider yet so im not stuck with a certain fitting size. im planning on keeping zoas Rics Acans and other Lps and a few SPS in the future. im planning on building a DIY LED fixture ASAp but my PC fixture will have to do for now i had also contemplated a 150 halide but this will be next to my bed and i dont want to deal with heat in the tank or in my room. all my glass is regular 1/4 inch plate
thanks for looking and of course any and all comments are welcome

first pic is of one of the side panels notice how the glass ramps up to 15 inches in the back? no particular reason for it i just thought i would look cool

the second pic is of my GRaylight false wall. ill be putting screen over the over flow to keep critters in their right place i hope it tinted enough i feel the once theres a light on it ill be ok

the third pic is just my bottom piece to give you an idea of the footprint.

i dont really know much about filters and return pumps but someone on here will let you know. im just here waiting for the tank to be up. lol

i had considered doing a 20L before ultimately deciding to just work w/ the 10g i already have......

anywhoo, for the rear chambers, i was gonna do a 6" deep filtration section overall. planned on a tunze 9002 & do it something like this:

(back of tank)
chamber 2: skimmer.......|.....................................|
-----------------|...chamber 3: refugium...|...chamber 4: return
chamber 1: filter media...|.....................................|
(display tank)

* chamber 1/2 would be 5.5-6" wide & 3" deep each (tunze needs 4.9 x 2.1 per this pic
* water would flow thru skimmer slots that are the width of chamber 1/2 & down thru the carbon & gfo in media bags on racks similar to the www.mediabaskets.com system.
* baffle between 1 & 2 would be open at the bottom for flow under into 2
* skimmer pulls from its underside & discharges the same
* skimmer slots the depth of chamber 2 & water flows over it into chamber 3
* baffle between 3 & 4 would have about a 2-3" tall piece from the bottom of the tank, open area about 2" & then remaining baffle to top of tank....hope that makes sense LOL (only if doing sand in the bottom otherwise solid baffle 1-2" off tank bottom to top of tank)

i can try drafting up a simple sketch if my description doesn't make sense LOL

haha sounds bout lik what im thinking james! even though its a bit hard to follow. i may do a fuge chamber but i wouldnt want to do any sand B/c id like to be able to vacume out all the rear chambers during water changes. my phosphate export will deff be achieved from phosban either just a bag in a chamber or i may hang a reactor off the back in the future. ive decided to go with and already picked up an ASM mini g this skimmer will be a beast for my tank and i will be mesh modding it right off the bat. the Minig pumps have some issues w the needles on the wheel being a bit long so instead of having to send it back i gave my boss at the LFS i work with a break and just mesh it. im working like a mad man so i have not even had time to pick up my silicone so the going is slow. i also need to get an 1/8 in ground off my divider wall cuzz its to long. whats everyones thoughts about putting a 150W pendant over this puppy? do you think i will have heat issues? solanas have 150s and they do allright however they are 7 inches deeper. would i need a chiller? ive seen LOTs of 150 setups for sale on the forum and they are almost too good to pass up

I think you have a great setup in the works. i have a 20x20x12 rimless cube with a 150 mh and my temp is stable at 81( would like it to be a little lower). i do have a sump though and im sure that helps with the cooling at least a little. but i think you would be fine. love the size though, it gives me a lot of depth to work with. just take it slow. good luck

oh and i dont have any sand in my fuge chamber right now, just lr and cheato. im still on the fence about the sand though

ya 81 isnt too bad its the stability thats most important

I am too considering this, any chances of a sketch ?

rob