Please provide feedback/suggestions/comments on my approach. Sorry if so long... Also feedback on background and bottom color. I will most likely paint the bottom a sand (light)color using textured paint as some of you may have done. Currently I have black gravel, and looking forward to the change. I can always go tile down the road as well. Was thinking using dark window tint for the background or a blue. White looks interesting too, but not sure...

Current setup:
Inhabitants: Ten 4”Discus, six Sterbai Cory’s, six +/- small tetras
Tank: 100 Gallon Acrylic SeaClear 60Lx18Wx20H
Overflow: DIY Durso and overflow box. 1” down pipe to sump
Sump: Marineland Tidepool II. 3 drawers (course sponge, micro filter pad, chemi pure) and pond matrix in the sump chamber.
Pump/Return: Poseidon PS2 pump 90w. Getting about 500 gph with 8’ of head pressure
Water: 90 gallons (270) changed 2-3 times a week (S,W,F). ZERO Nitrates/Nitrites/Ammonia
Heater: Finnex Controller with 800 Watt element (500 & 300 titanium)

Facts: Sump is located in the basement. About 8’ from sump to top of tank. I currently can divert the water going back to the sump to a drain to simplify water changes. I hope to continue this in the new build. This all uses gravity.

New Build:

Tank: Advanced Acrylics 72Lx18Wx30H est 180 gallons Paid $650 new. Value based on website $2,186.00. I got this on Craigslist. A restaurant bought two and only installed one about 2 years ago. Tank was still new and wrapped.  I got a steal!!!
https://advancedacrylics.com/collections/frag-tanks
Overflow: Synergy Reef Shadow 16 rated at 1500 gph. $159.00
https://synergyreef.com/product/16-shadow-overflow/
Sump: Plan to upgrade with a DIY Sump about 50gal. Something similar to this in regards to how the water flows over and into the socks. Returns can be under water at all times. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2554635

Pump/Return: I Hope to upgrade to a Vectra M1 DC (2000 GPH) - Ecotech Marine
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ecotech-vectra-m1-dc.html
Was also considering the Reef Octopus VarioS-8.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/varios...f-octopus.html
Both about $350

Considerations:
• Pumps: Not concerned with APEX integration. Both pumps with the head pressure will be about 1000gph.
• Frequent water changes and tank will be BB so easy to clean.
• New overflow will be a Bean Animal style fed to the sump. Because the Bean will require a full siphon and the output to be under water I will need to upgrade my sump to allow this. The tidepool is limited in this capacity. http://www.beananimal.com/projects/s...ow-system.aspx. Sump will be of decent size as well as provide all filtration.
• May need to modify my water change routine. The new sump could still be high enough to simply drain and re-fill for water changes. Rather than divert the water returning, I will drain the sump instead. I think my current drain procedure may cause issues with plumbing and diverting 3 lines (Bean vs single Durso). Please let me know if my thought process is valid. I did not have to worry about this before.
• I plan to use 1.5” pipe from the overflow and output hose equal to the pump selected.
• The tank has an existing hold I the center back bottom. I was going to plumb it with a shut off so I could either use it as a drain or input to a canister if I need more filtration. I was considering adding a FX4 but thought I would not need it by upgrading my pump and sump. I can use a standard bulkhead strainer if using for a drain or a ATI Filter Max if using a canister.

I will be documenting the complete build with photos including the transition from old to new. Please provide comments and or questions on my build. I hope to make it a very easy tank to maintain.

Thanks in advanced for any input!!!