New Update!

Well, the last shopping list isn't quite accurate. We've decided to make the polyp/ephyra tank its own unit. The display tank will also be its own unit. This removes the need for a sump. Each tank will have it's own built-in wet/dry filter. We have only been working on the polyp/ephyra tank this spring break.
We have cut all the materials and put everything together so far. All that is left is gluing.
I can't wait until it's done!
So, here are some pictures...

Here's the tank so far. All of the stuff is just resting inside. None of it is glued yet. We are using a sushi tray for the drip plate. My mom came up with that; it's really creative. The section on the far right is the polyp chamber. The free-floating ephyra will flow out of a hole in the plexiglas separator (which you can't see) into the ephyra chamber in the middle. The chamber on the far left is the wet dry filter.

Down below is the PVC system that will spread water around the tank. It has an on/off ball valve for each piece of tubing connecting to the different chambers of the tank. The black pipe below is the spray bar which will spray the ephyra away from the screen that will draw water from the ephyra part of the tank. The spray bar will also create laminar flow around the ephyra chamber.

So, on top is the screen and the wall leading to the wet/dry filter. The screen will prevent debris or, possibly ephyra that have somehow passed the spray bar. We are thinking of gluing the screen to a plexiglass frame and putting in screws to make it removable for cleaning. Then under that are the bioballs which are our filtration medium.

OH, I forgot to mention, the polyp/ephyra tank is a 15 gallon standard aquarium. Hopefully a 20 gallon HIGH aquarium will still fit on this stand...