im actualy in the process of making a 48X16X16 sump with 3 compartments and a bubble trap. Should have it done in the next few days <knock on wood> one of our plastic supply shops had some scraps of acrylic and we have most of the tools at work. Lets hope that the "welding" of the acrylic is like metal or plastic without a weld rod.

So on that note when the water drans to the skimmer,return sump, and ref. How far should the water fall from the pvc pipes to the waiting tank below for good o2 transfer ? Or should the pipe go all the way into the sump ref and skimmer sections ? I just finished making the pvc drain pipes with 3 ball valves so I can controll flow to the skimmer and the ref..

The tank will be in my living room against a wall that is also the garage wall. I am thinking about cutting some holes in the wall and put the sump,pumps,and chiller out there is there any reason I would not want to do that ?

one last thing ya right you all know a million more newb questions are coming lol

What is the best way to actualy fill the tank ? Would it be live rock, live sand, then the water ?

Thanks for the offer of help I beleve it was your site that was posted in this thread that gave me the confidence that I should just do my own. But if I do need some help ill shoot you a pm. Or if it leaks all over the place Ill throw it agains the wall cry and go buy one LOL

So anyone want a Marineland Tidepool sump j/k Im gona hang onto it for a while never know what I may run into in 6 months.

Thanks once again