Need Help with DIY fuge/sump for 29 gallon Reef

ken

I'm looking at building a sump/fuge for my 29 gallon tank. I currently have the all in one top with lights filter and so forth(can't remember what its called). What I'm planning to do is cut a hole in the back of my tank for the drain to the sump/fuge and maybe another hole for the return.

My first question is what exactly is the difference in a fuge and sump? For a reef setup of my size what is my best option?

I've got a 10 gallon tank thats been sitting in my closet that i was going to make into either one of these.

What would be the proper size plumbing and return pump? and what kind of overflow should i build that would be as silent as possible since my tank is in my living room?

Also any other suggestions and comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and once planning is done i am going to post all pictures from the start to end and progress on this thread.

clinto

First off a sump is a basin under your tank that allows you to hold more water and put all of those unsightly items like skimmers and heaters. It also may have some bio balls for filtration as well as any carbon. A refugium is an area that has less water flow houses sand, live rock, and macro algae which all aid in filtering out waste. there are now combination sump/fuge filters that have a special area for the refugium inhabitants with in the sump. I have a 12 gallon nano which sounds close to the type you have and i added a 3 gallon refugium to the side of it. I cut one hole towards the back of the hood on the side for a 1/2 inch tube and the power cord for my 80 gph pump. On the same side more towards the front i cut another hole for a "u-tube" to return water to the main tank. It works great and you just need to get the smaller tank at the same level as the large tank along the top so the water levels in both tanks remain the same. This is just one option but with the filtration you already have, i dont think you need a sump as well. For your tank i would run a 150gph pump. For some reason i can not upload pics right now, but look under saltwater pic of the month and you can see how my 75 is set up next to a 29 gallon refugium. its a bit larger, but will help you see what i mean.