Housetop2016
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- Aug 27, 2026
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- Virginia
Hi everyone!
First post here so please bare with me if I am missing/breaking any rules or anything.
I am trying biting off way more than I can chew with my new tank. Im trying to set up a Juwel 450L (I think ~120g) mixed reef, and im trying to figure out the best way to build some kind of sump into the stock stand. My main issue is the stand is divided into three separate sections with load bearing walls between so I can't just get a normal full-length sump in the stand.
each section roughly gives me roughly: ~18" wide and 13 " deep (and roughly 28" in height but id obviously need clearance to work above). Im thinking to build 3 smaller sumps (one in each section) and run plumbing behind the stand to connect each section.
rough idea of plan:
sump 1 - intake from display, protein skimmer, and filter socks/mechanical filtration
sump 2 - Live rock / biological filtration
sump 3 - Refugium and return pump
(and in one of these sumps an ATO sensor and temp/salinity/parameter probes depending on how much space there is)
The current display still has the original internal filter (currently has a heater, and various sponge pieces/internal pump for filtration but I assume keeping the stock filtration won't do too well for a saltwater tank and am willing to modify / get rid of depending on if there is a useful reason to keep it.
I am mainly unsure about how to safely connect the three sections together.
eventually the stocking will be a mixed reef with me transferring everything from my current 13.5 fluvial AIO (2 Ocellaris clowns, a Yellow Watchman Goby, Peppermint shrimp, brittle star (not entirely sure of exact sp. cause inherited this tank from a coworker but has been playing nice so far), various simple corals (soft corals with one LPS) and a bubble-tip anemone, and the standard assorted CUC of hermit crabs and snails) once the 120 is cycled and id like to get the filtration right from the get go than have to redo later.
Id really appreciate any and all help y'all can give me with this project as I come from freshwater and want to get my first true saltwater tank right.
Thank you all in advance
First post here so please bare with me if I am missing/breaking any rules or anything.
I am trying biting off way more than I can chew with my new tank. Im trying to set up a Juwel 450L (I think ~120g) mixed reef, and im trying to figure out the best way to build some kind of sump into the stock stand. My main issue is the stand is divided into three separate sections with load bearing walls between so I can't just get a normal full-length sump in the stand.
each section roughly gives me roughly: ~18" wide and 13 " deep (and roughly 28" in height but id obviously need clearance to work above). Im thinking to build 3 smaller sumps (one in each section) and run plumbing behind the stand to connect each section.
rough idea of plan:
sump 1 - intake from display, protein skimmer, and filter socks/mechanical filtration
sump 2 - Live rock / biological filtration
sump 3 - Refugium and return pump
(and in one of these sumps an ATO sensor and temp/salinity/parameter probes depending on how much space there is)
The current display still has the original internal filter (currently has a heater, and various sponge pieces/internal pump for filtration but I assume keeping the stock filtration won't do too well for a saltwater tank and am willing to modify / get rid of depending on if there is a useful reason to keep it.
I am mainly unsure about how to safely connect the three sections together.
eventually the stocking will be a mixed reef with me transferring everything from my current 13.5 fluvial AIO (2 Ocellaris clowns, a Yellow Watchman Goby, Peppermint shrimp, brittle star (not entirely sure of exact sp. cause inherited this tank from a coworker but has been playing nice so far), various simple corals (soft corals with one LPS) and a bubble-tip anemone, and the standard assorted CUC of hermit crabs and snails) once the 120 is cycled and id like to get the filtration right from the get go than have to redo later.
Id really appreciate any and all help y'all can give me with this project as I come from freshwater and want to get my first true saltwater tank right.
Thank you all in advance
