Levi's 19g Journal

So hear is the game plan. Use an old 19g Hagen for a display, a ~40g TRUVU for sump and build a stand from scratch. This is going to be a Goby tank maybe with a couple small ornamental shrimp.

The DT originally had a top rim but it popped off when I was cleaning it and I liked the way it looked so I am leaving it off. The glass is a lot thicker than the standard 20g's made these days so I'm not worried about strength.

Here is shot of it after I cleaned it, drilled and installed the return and cut and installed the OF box.


Here is a pic of the tank I am using as a sump before I cleaned it but with the top cut off. I removed 4 inches from the top and hacked out the overflow with a multi-tool.


Here are a few shots of the completed sump (I ended up removing the center brace though). It's not a show sump or anything but it should do the trick. There are 4 sections: (from right to left)
1) settling section, instead of filter socks I will be testing removable inserts that will increase dead spots for gunk to settle in, in place of filter socks
2) refugium
3) skimmer and heater section
4) bubble trap and return section
There are notches on both corners to make it sit back in the stand to maximize space. I wanted to make the larger skimmer section the fuge but it makes more sense to put it before the skimmer.... I think. After all the work the sump should hold about 20-25 gallons under normal running conditions and there will be about 9 or so gallons of room for overflow in the event of a power outage.







Here is the stand I built. I made it taller than normal so I can see it well from behind my office computer monitors.


Here is a shot where you can see the side door for removing the sump and access the power compartment


Here is the almost finished tank


As you can tell the back has been painted and my FishNeedIt 4x24w T5 fixture came in. I don't think I'll be changing the aquascaping at all but I may add some marine epoxy to make the 2 structure a little less like 2 stacks of rocks but we'll see. The left piece is 3 rocks has already been made into 2 and the right 5 rocks been made into 4 with epoxy, acrylic rod and 2 part resin.

I just finished my plumbing last night so once some cash I am waiting for comes in I'll be adding sand, filling it up and starting it with Dr Tim's, I can't wait!! I have short list for skimmer choices so I'll update this when I make a choice or to get some input.

Nice start and good plan.

Come on and share your skimmer choices. We don't bite.

that's freaking awesome! I love the sump work! The rock scape is really nice too!

nice! and rimless hehehe

did you re-do the silicone with the black or is it factory?

Alright, here are the 4 I am considering. The big factors are where they are made, how much power they use and... I want to stick with a cone. Let me know if I missed any

Cadlights 2nd Generation Conic skimmer 90-150g 20w (need pump brand)
Eshopps Snow Series Cone 40-120g ? Sicce SK200
Bubble Magus new 5.5 80G-135G 28w? atman ph2000
SWC Xtreme Cone 120 55-90g 20w Atman 1100


These are 3 others I looked at but more or less desided not to buy.
Just not enough
Bubble Magus BM-NAC3.5 Cone 179 25G-80G 20w atman ph1100

a little too much
Avast CS1 Cone Skimmer DIY Kit 240 with Sicce 100-200g 60w Sicce PSK1000

too hard to clean
Vertex IN-80 179 40-80g 20w

Thank for the compliments, I've put a lot of thought into what I wanted to do and so far it's coming along but slower then I would like as usual I am hoping at all works out.

Oh and that return is one of the SCWD type so it should add some extra variable flow. I may need to add a T to my return if my pump is too strong, I'll know when I do a water test later today if it doesn't rain. Oh and for flow I have an MP10.

Originally Posted by LeviT

Alright, here are the 4 I am considering. The big factors are where they are made, how much power they use and... I want to stick with a cone. Let me know if I missed any

Cadlights 2nd Generation Conic skimmer 90-150g 20w (need pump brand)
Eshopps Snow Series Cone 40-120g ? Sicce SK200
Bubble Magus new 5.5 80G-135G 28w? atman ph2000
SWC Xtreme Cone 120 55-90g 20w Atman 1100

I gotta vote for the SWC, but I am biased. I have 2 of their cone skimmers, a 160 on my 75 gal and a 230 on my 180 gal. They are easy to empty and clean.

Originally Posted by Pat B

I gotta vote for the SWC, but I am biased. I have 2 of their cone skimmers, a 160 on my 75 gal and a 230 on my 180 gal. They are easy to empty and clean.

Thanks, to be honest, that one has gone up and down the list It may come down to price and availability when I order it in a couple of weeks.

with the recent issue with the owner of SWC I would stay away from it remember him getting arrested for smuggling in corals?

There's some things that just aren't forgivable.
SWC Owner Convicted of Illegal Importing | AquaNerd

I've always added a T out of the pump. You just never know when you're going to have a problem or to much flow.

Wow, I didn't see that article, thanks.

Tap water test! I have some touching up to do but it's looking good.

pretty cool! Those valves will give you a piece of mind too.

ohhhh I should put one of those nozzles on my return since my seaswirl burned up hehehe

nice work!!

Looking great so far!!! LOVE the stand

Originally Posted by estanoche

ohhhh I should put one of those nozzles on my return since my seaswirl burned up hehehe

nice work!!

It didn't cost much but I won't be able to tell how much it helps until there is something to move around but it isn't as good as a seaswirl that's for sure

Originally Posted by LadyOfIreland

Looking great so far!!! LOVE the stand

Thanks, I liked the idea of some work space on top. Plus it's the perfect size for a 57g in case I ever decide to upgrade

Very nice looking! I like the side door in the stand, what a brilliant concept!

Originally Posted by spinycheek

Very nice looking! I like the side door in the stand, what a brilliant concept!

The whole setup look great so far, you just need a better return pump.

A quick update. Everything is working good and the tank up and running. I added a ball valve to my return line and to my primary flooded drain. With valve on the drain and a custom siphon line it's dead quiet now. I can barely read anything on the ammonia test (it's just a cheap API test) so in a day or 2 I should all clear, we'll see.

Great build! I was going to suggest that you remove the center top brace from the sump but i see you already did that.

You talked about placing the skimmer before of after the fuge. IMO you always want to place the skimmer in the first chamber of a sump so it gets first crack at the dirty water. Also with the skimmer being first you dont have to worry about it removing bugs and other good stuff that will grow in the fuge.

Keep the updates coming.

See I was thinking fuge first so that it could remove what ever it could first so that I don't starve what ever macro I put in there..... man I don't know how I ever make decisions What do you think about the CAD Lights skimmer or the new BM 5.5. I'm liking the CAD Lights since it's make all in the US, they even make the pump.