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This sump had to be a creative one, because #1) it was for someone new entering into the hobby and didn't have previous experience with any reef keeping, and #2) the design of the stand made things very difficult to fit anything in of decent size. Originally, it was to be a one-piece unit, but in mid-stream the skimmer was replaced with a different sized unit, and everything was reworked. The base unit holds the skimmer and the return area. Above it, a refugium drains diagonally into the return area.

David, a member of DFWMAS, requested a custom sump that he designed himself. Water flows through a small section filled with bioballs to break up the bubbles, then into the skimmer section. Next, it will flow through a refugium using Miracle Mud, and down through more bioballs into the return section. This sump is 48" x 16" x 16" and fit under a 125g reef. This is a single-flow sump system that moves the water from the left to the right.

Keith, a DFWMAS club member and customer of mine, ordered a frag tank and matching sump.  He designed the steel stand and listed his desires, and I got busy building his dream setup.

The frag tank is 47.75" x 30" x 14" and holds 75g of water.  The custom overflow has three Durso drains and two Locline returns, with room for pumps on either side of the overflow.

I did it. I changed water in my reef. Crazy, but true. lol

As I mentioned yesterday during the livestream, I was going to do a water change this weekend. I ended up changing 62-gallons, which is basically what the skimmer section and the return section of my sump holds.

April 18 - 19, 2008: The Board of Directors from the Cleveland Saltwater Enthusiasts Association contacted me to come out and speak to their club... While I was there, I had the opportunity to visit a couple of fish stores and see a member's tank.

To feed the tank automatically each day, as well as when you are away due to travel, the Eheim Autofeeder drops in food to feed your reef.  The Eheim Chimney that I created keeps the food in one spot in the tank, allowing it to saturate with water and drizzle down into the water column, instead of drifting along the surface into the overflow where it is wasted.

Designing the steel stand for the new 400g, i knew I'd want a full length walkboard, allowing me to work anywhere in the tank comfortably.

At MACNA 21, I did a two hour demonstration showing how I work with acrylic, the tools I use and the techniques I prefer to employ. Here's a short segment filmed by an attendee that day.

Dallas Comic Con moved to the Dallas Convention Center this year, and with it much more space for everyone to wander about.  The crushing crowds from previous cons weren't a factor, and it allowed everyone to walk around comfortably. The vendors hall was full of booths showcasing everything you can imagine, including figurines, toys, costumes, props, and of course tons of artwork and comic books.