Diagram of my 180

Nice setup!!!!

Awesome. I would recommend you put in a bubble trap and a return area specifically so that you can keep the skimmer water level constant.

Thanks!

I don't want any baffles in that 30 in case I ever want to use it for something else. I stay on the topoff enough that it's not an issue, I'll be setting up an ATO soon anyways.

I'm working on something less permanent to make a return area for the pump. Still figuring out the kinks. Round 1 didn't work.

I would put a little area in there for a 10-20 gal frag tank.. maybe after the fuge

I would put fuge AFTER skimmer so that any beneficial fauna has maximal chances ending up to the display. But that's just me (and everyone I know of).

There's no room, the stand is built too sturdy, I lose 6" on either end so there's only about 6" to spare inside the stand. I've definitely considered a frag tank though. I'm getting ready to do a stand-alone frag tank on the bottom shelf of my 15's stand.

For those that haven't seen it the thread for this tank is linked in my signature or can be found in the Large Reefs forum.

As far as the Fuge before the skimmer, the fuge drain actually runs past the skimmer, closer to the return pump, for the reason you mention. There's no room, height wise, for the skimmer to go anywhere but the lowest point of the sump.

what a stupid looking tank. worst design i've ever seen.

It's almost as bad as a Par38 over a cube!

I hope you're using bubblegum for the plumbing connections, it's the only smart/safe/true way to do it.

Or you could be a Real Reefer and use Saltwater Taffy.

looks like a woman designed this tank.

Bubblegum leaked, it couldn't handle the pressure of the Mag18. There were little bubbles being blown at every seam.

I'll try Taffy next time. Good call Weets.

In saltwater you must remember to use microbubblegum.

The ball valves are off. You want to be able to control the flow out of both returns. Most likely more out of the right since its further away.

The ball valves are purely for shutoff. I can't dial back that pump at all. The pipes would burst, it's a Mag18 through 1" pipes. It's HIGH flowing.

This is already built, has been for months. I'm not really asking for advice, just showing what I did.

Was just stating that one side is going to get more flow then the other. If its just for shut off then the one closest to the pump would be the only one necessary. 1800 gph is not going to bust your pipes. I shut my 24 off with a valve still running all the time. Its already up? Show us pics already! lol

I wanted to be able to shutoff the far side since it's such a long run of pipe. I had the valve, so I stuck it in there. I knew the flow wouldn't be equal, but I don't want to two pumps, one will put off enough heat. The pipes bursting thing was hyperbole, it would be hard on the pump though.

There are tons of pictures in the tank thread in the Large Reef section. I hosted this one here because my photobucket was acting up.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=137486