Need Help on final decisions for W/D Filter System

[txmaverickmh]

Good Morning MAAST buddies,

Since I embarked on this new hobby nothing has fueled my desire and commitment to go all out on my first SWA like the people in this great organization. Special thanks to guys at TFH in CC, Herschel at AD in San Antonio, and especially, Dr. Mark and James for always answering my calls, texts, emails, and STILL letting me come over to the shop! HAHA LOL

PLEASE SEE MY MAIN NEED AT END OF POST! TKS

I am getting ready to go live as I have purchased my light setup to go with my 40G Oceanic Cube. I decided to go with the 24" Current USA Sundial T5HO 4X24W. I am currently looking for a filter system to fit my cabinet. From many hours of research and endless debate amongst my many newfound and treasured aquarist friends and mentors, I have decided on the following plan:

I am going to have holes drilled in tank (not tempered) and water will enter 1st chamber of sump going through a prefilter pad and then to a chamber containing bio balls (suggest any other filter media?). In this 1st section, I will have my heater and some LR frags as well as my protein skimmer (thinking of going with an Octopus 110, hopefully it will all fit, skimmer is 19" tall, 10"X6" footprint).

Next, the water will flow through a bubble trap into the 2nd chamber which will serve as a refugium with a LSB/Miracle mud mix (how many inches?) and some macro algae. Any suggestions on the type of algae I should use in here? (ball of Chaeto? Caulperna?) Should I put anything else in the refugium? I was thinking about snails or some other invertebrates but I certainly dont want anything messing with the little guys like copepods and amphipods.

Then, the water will enter the last chamber where it will be pumped back into main tank via a Rio 1100 or a Mag Drive 7 submersible pump.

Does this sound pretty complete and include all of the key elements? Do I need to add 1 or 2 cylinders for carbon, etc.?

I looked into LifeReef for this system, but Jeff's package was out of my budget for this first SWA, not necessarily that I couldnt afford it, but that I felt it was too much of an investment so early in the hobby. If all goes as I plan, I will be upgrading to a large reef tank after a couple of years of experience.

I NEED RECOMMENDATIONS on highly referred professionals that I can have quote me a price to build this system, will you please refer me someone? I am always honest and transparent with everyone, and I have inquired with my new buddy(lol), Herschel, at Aquarium Designs, and another highly-referred person in Corpus Christi, Jerry. But, it seems that both of these excellent gentlemen are very busy, and I am looking for a timely turnaround as I will be ready to start my tank as soon as I get this system. I am still waiting for both of these excellent professionals to get back to me with a quote.

FYI...I have a 40gal Oceanic Cube tank 24"W X 18" Deep X 26" Height...The dimensions inside the cabinet are 23"W X 16"Deep X 26" Height, and it has a 15"W X 23" Height opening to the back of the cabinet.

Thank you in advance for all your wonderful advice, opinions and referrals. I joined MAAST today as I sent payment via paypal so hopefully, I will be a paying member very soon.

AND, I am banging my head in frustration because I leave tomorrow for vacation with my wife and in-laws, so I will not be in Corpus Christi to enjoy the festivities and meet everyone! ;-( Hopefully, there will be another function very soon!

Best,

Michael

[Kristy]

PM sent

[cbianco]

Just for some clearification, are you building a reef or a fish only tank?

Christopher

[txmaverickmh]

As this will be my first SWA, I want to get experience with a wide variety of SW lifestock. I plan on having multiple fish gradually added over time. My wife really likes the invertebrates so I easily see us getting into some of the corals that our light will support such as zoas, trumpet coral, frog spawns, etc. With this priority I would say a reef tank.

The reason why I added atrickle filter is to support a decent fish load. Does this make sense? I am cauteous to gradually build the bioload over time, but I do not see us getting into advanced or fragile fish, clams or hard corals anytime in the next 6mos to year.

Michael

[cbianco]

I don't know of anyone using a trickle filter for a reef aquarium, however I do know of people using them for fish only aquariums.

I think a sump with room for a refugium, macro and a skimmer would better suit you.

Just my $.02