Recommendations for my sump

[I_Got_Crabs]

Upgrading from an all-in-on 30 gallon for a used 65 gallon setup with this sump. Never had a sump and I'm wondering what my options are and what people would recommend. I really like the idea of a deep sand bed with macro algae but don'nt know if its possible with the walls (baffles?) I have. The setup came with an Octopus 110 Int skimmer that can fit in chambers one and two. I am also looking into adding an algae scrubber of some kind.

Any advice or recommendations is very much welcomed and appreciated.

Not sure if it makes a difference, but I am looking to keep a mixed reef with my 2 clowns and high fin goby, and 3-5 more small relatively chill fish.

 

[Brew12]

Upgrading from an all-in-on 30 gallon for a used 65 gallon setup with this sump. Never had a sump and I'm wondering what my options are and what people would recommend. I really like the idea of a deep sand bed with macro algae but don'nt know if its possible with the walls (baffles?) I have. The setup came with an Octopus 110 Int skimmer that can fit in chambers one and two. I am also looking into adding an algae scrubber of some kind.

Any advice or recommendations is very much welcomed and appreciated.

Not sure if it makes a difference, but I am looking to keep a mixed reef with my 2 clowns and high fin goby, and 3-5 more small relatively chill fish.

I'm not a fan of the DSB. My opinion is that they cause more trouble than they are worth but I know some people love them. The only way I would consider doing that is if I were going to do a full, large fuge. I don't think you have the space for it. Having the algae scrubber would replace the need for it.

Personally, I would forgo the DSB and use the algae scrubber. I feel you will appreciate the space savings.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I had a system with a 180g DT & 75g hex as a 2nd DT that shared a 10'x2'x 18" (180g) sump/refugium. I had a seperate 45g section in the refugium with an 8" DSB, another 45g section with lots of LR and my skimmer and a 3rd 45g section full of macroalgae. I never had any issues with the DSB and I think it worked OK as I never had any issues with nitrate build up. But then that may have been due to the macroalgae.

Since that system broke (leaking 180g DT) I've gone smaller and smaller and I' wouldn't consider a DSB in a new smaller system. But I'll do as big a refugium as I can for the macroalgae.