Feedback on a new project

[bigsteve]

Hey all.... been a loooong time since I've posted. Got pretty busy w/ work and the car show season and all that. But, I'm out on disability right now, so I've had a lot of free time to catch up w/ the boards and my tank. Also, it's given me an idea for a new project.
I'd like to start a nano reef, but I'm going to need some help. I've been doing the FOWLR thing for almost 2 years now, and I'd like to take a step up. I'm experienced w/ basic ideas of water chemistry, but I'm going to need to read up on all the additives I'll need and all that stuff. So, heres a basic outline and a few questions. Any help from the expericened guys (and gals) is greatly appreciated.
I have a 20g tall and a 10g just sitting around doing nothing. I'm thinking of using this, but think it might be better to make the 20T a sump and go buy a 20L. Opinions?
I'm also thinking power compacts for lighting. I don't really want MH, as I don't intend to keep any hard to keep species.
And most importantly, would these plans work? I don't want a flood if the power goes out, and as far as I can tell, this would keep that from happening.

Thanks for any help!

 

[tuningvis]

your basic concept of a sump and display look like they will work fine.
as for your display tank ... 20L and 10g sump would be ideal IMO
lighting- you can go either way
mh would be nice... they make 70w
pc's are more flexable and cheaper
you coulg even get VHO's .. that would look nice on a 20L T-5's ..man that would be sweet they are just spendy
as far as addatives. you won't need any .... water changes and your LR LS will take care of all of that.
BTW welcome back

 

[bigsteve]

Ok... a couple more questions I just thought of.
Plumbing.... Would I need any kind of valve on the overflow to the sump? As far as I can visually tell w/ the reef ready tanks (Which is what I'm basically going to construct from a basic AGA 20L. I'm not afraid of the dremel

), I shouldn't need one other than for convenience, since the water will only overflow the amount that the pump pushes back into the tank.... right?
Also, that brings me as to what pump to use? I saw a mag drive 600 at the lfs today, and I've heard a lot of talk about them from everyone here, so I'm thinking that I should go this route. Is $70 too much? That's what they were selling them for.
Filtration.... Would I need any kind of filter media in the sump? Floss, or a sponge? Carbon? The all natural approach is still a little scary to me.
And does anyone know what a sheet of acrylic goes for at their local hardware giant? It's tough for me to walk right now due to the injury to my knee (basically dislocated my kneecap and strained a bunch of ligaments), so I can't go in there and wander around looking for it. And how big is a standard sheet anyway? And what to use to glue it to the glass? Silicone?
Sorry for all the questions, but like they say, the only bad questions are the ones you never ask. And just a note to cover myself from any flaming.... I have done some searches looking around for answers to these questions, but have found a lot of vague answers. Thanks for any help!!! h*