Would a chinese algae eater be able to live in a small sump if good care was taken?

Don't see why not. Go for it! Lots of people keep fish in there sumps,

Yeah that would not be a problem ....a Sump is part of the total tank size it would be cool

I think one would do good in a sump by himself in a sump. I;ve had them in the past and they always get aggressive as they get larger.

yep should be my friend phil kept his cherry shrimp in the sump so his wild tefe wouldn't eat them. if I remember right they even breeded in the sump.

The algae eater will most likely live in the filter. Very hardy fish., and yes they tend to be agressive as they get older.

My buddy has one in his Koi pond. It got down in the low 20's last week and he said the algae eater survived. I was quite surprised. Very tough fish!

Yes perfectly fine, just remember to feed him.

At my lfs that is where the mean ones go. There is even a 5' eel in one of the salt water sumps!