Back after 7 years. What has changed?

genericfishname

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Hello internet fish/coral people! My name is Brad. I have kept saltwater aquariums on and off since I was a teenager. I broke down my last tank in the fall of 2015.
It was a mix of Softies, LPS and SPS. 30 gallon tank, 20 long sump. Kalk in the ATO, macro algae refugium w/ a deep sand bed. I carbon dosed vinegar. Lighting was a custom built LED unit (black box LEDs available at the time I built the tank).
I have been waiting for the right time to step back into the hobby and last night we stumbled on a killer deal on FB. I picked up a Rimless 60 cube with a corner overflow. It came with a brand new dc return pump, black box LED light, 10 gallon sump and DIY stand & hood.
My goal is to duplicate what I did before but just better. I know that the sump will be too small and this is where my question for the internet lies.
What is the "best" layout for a square sump with refugium, skimmer, return, filter sock and still have space in the stand for ATO. dosing holding? Can I even fit all of that? Has anyone out there already build what I am thinking? I am not at all afraid to buy acrylic and build the whole thing from scratch. I want to take my time and plan this right so I only build this tank once.
Also I am wondering how has the hobby changed in the last 7 years? Have "best practices" changed? What new methods are people having success with?
I will attach a few pictures of my old tank from before I broke it down. Thanks in advance.
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Welcome Generic... and glad you are back and indeed all you want under the tank will make it tight - ATO on the outside?

and the biggest change is in the lighting - black boxes are better than they were, and brand names even better

best of luck!!

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Hey welcome back...technology has gotten WAY better and WAY more advanced. I been in the game 40+ years and you won't believe what the new lights can do, or a roller mat or the controllers...I could go on and I about what has changed. It really is an awesome time to be in this hobby. I mean 6-7 years ago led lights were on or off. Now a days they create sunrise and sunsets, overcast days, storms..including lighting. Good times! With the dosing pumps available, maybe locate your auto in a different room or in a basement and just run some plumbing to it. Keeps the stand less cluttered...have fun!
 
Thanks everyone! I have a few creative ideas, this will very much be a budget DIY build.

The tang police were very much a thing 7 years ago. Also, why do "we all hate Vibrant"?
Welcome back!

What’s new? uhh everything’s even more expensive and we all hate vibrant now
 

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