K, in terms of the sump.
- No refugium, this will overkill the VSV method, means too many different methods will starve the tank on the long run.
Happens to many people! They use, GFO, Refugium with Chaeto and Nitrate remover and finally nothing will work since it is then too much nutrient reduction and the animals will starve.
- Frag section, throw it away, propagate the frags on a frag rack in the tank. Refugium have too much flow or not enough flow.
In addition, the sump is mostly far too clean to have sufficient growth if any in the sump. Some people have limited success, but keep that for later if you really want to apply that.
- Additional media section. Not required, going back to point one, we don't want to overfilter the tank.
You need to accomodate filtersocks, a skimmer section, a return pump section and something where you can accomodate activateed carbon as needed from time to time.
Don't get confused on applying a combination of different methods.
We will apply VSV which is very powerful. No need for anything else.
Terms of the API test kits, biggest crap ever. Only the ALK test if not expired is somewhat useful.
So in a few weeks you will need a Red Sea Pro Nitrate test kit and a Salifert Phosphate test kit to do the job.
Over the time we need to apply ALK, CA and MG dosing when the time comes, but not for now.
At the minute, it can only get better, lol.
Also I don't want to stress you out with too many things all at once.
Looking at the pictures, you have not set the priorities correct.
Not sure about your history in this hobby, but looking at the fish room, you wanted to go big, with very limited experience, otherwise you would have been done things differently on your tank!!!
Good ideas in the fish room, but too early maybe!?!
LMK if that all makes sense to you.
-PSX
