Ok, so i was tired of seeing everyone with their cool CAD drawings of all the systems...so i downloaded Google Sketch, and had some fun. Be nice, its my first time doing anything even close to 3D CAD.
The drawing is crude, but you get the idea.
First, the section with the skimmer will be where the display tank, frag tank, and turn key water change return line will tie in.
The second, will be the fuge.
The third will be the return pump intake, heater, and any other media bla bla bla.
You will notice that there is plumbing going into each baffled area. These will have 90 degree elbows, facing up, with strainers in both the fuge and skimmer area. All will have ball valves coming right out of the bulkhead. A feed line in each baffled area is needed so each area will drain. Otherwise the return area would drain, leaving the other completely full.....not making for a very big water change.
The Return pump will be a hammerhead or similar with strong head pressure. There will be a manifold with 4 lines. 2 returning to the display, 1 to the frag tank, and a 4th for turn key water change.
The ball valves will all be opened when doing a water change to allow more water to be drawn from the sump. The return lines will all be closed except the 4th line, that will "return" the water directly to the laundry sink, on the other side of the basement.
Then valves in the fuge, and skimmer areas will be closed back up.
There will also be 60 gallon or larger storage container with a small external pump that will circulate salt water until ready. It will be split into 2 return lines. One going back into the storage tank, and one that will tie into the drain area of the sump. The recirculation valve will be closed, and the return valve opened. Feeding fresh saltwater right back into the sump.
There you have it. Flip a few valves, and instant water change.
The return area of the sump is farthest away only because where everything is going to be located, its easier to bring the drain lines into a common corner, rather than clutter up the area below the tank. Which would limit access to the fuge, and skimmer.
Here is a quick drawing of what my light rack will look like. A few cross braces are missing, but you get the idea.
It will hold 3 luminarcs, and 8 36" T5's...also, if i can fit them, a couple profilux simulight bars.
The entire rack will be on a motorized pulley system.
