Should I go with a sump?

[kremit2007]

Just thought I would ask this since the more I read, the more I want. Ha. I have a 46g. Bowfront reef BOUND aquarium and just your typical Bio-wheel canister type HOB filter. I also have two power heads and a SeaClone 100 PS on the back. I want to know about setting up a sump and/or refugium as I dont have much of any space. The type of stand I have is not like a "box" its more open and so I dont have space to hide it under there either. Any help would be greatly appreciated as Im not sure where to go from here. I want to make an amazing reef tank out of my recently crashed FOW (some) LR.

I am obviously not going to rush things, as I want to make absolutely certain that the chemistries in my tank are perfect before I attempt anything in there. Give me all the suggestions, please keep in mind, tight budget (dont we all?) and not a lot of time. I am a full time student in college who spends his money on Ramen Noodles and Fish food when Im not stuck in the library, ha. Thanks and be gentle, my wallet will be grateful.

 

[cur10u5g30rg3]

You could get a hang on refugium. You could also do a remote refugium on the side or even under neither that would allow you to have some of the benifits that you can put in a sump. There even companies out there that make the hang on refugium with built in skimmers.

 

[DanNolan]

You could have your sump and refuge on display, instead of having it flow left to right, have it flow back left - Front - back right with your refuge in the front, dressed up and looking nice so you can display it, just make sure to include some nice stacked live rock in the refuge so it hides the area behind.

 

[kremit2007]

Those are awesome ideas. I didnt know that they made fuges that hung on the back like that. Do you guys know of any brands in particular that work well or are worth the money? I wouldn't even know where to begin looking. Thanks