sump/refugium

while searching for a sump (and a possible refugium) i came across this combination:
75 Gallon Aquarium Sump Refugium
i'm a bit on a budget here and totally sumpless.
the only thing that bothers me about it is the "top of the line skimmer" but other than that it looks pretty good to me.
what you reef masters out there have to say about it? :

 

If you are on a budget I would pass on that. You should be able to make a sump/fuge for much less than $250 IMO. Get a good used skimmer on craigslist cheap or find one of the not so expensive name brands like Bubble Magus (I got my NAC6 for $160 shipped and it's awesome). Get a cheap 20g tank from petsmart, and some acylic for baffles, silicone, and a cheap clamp on fuge light from homedepot.

 

tell you the truth i'm not so good with DIY project.

 

Tell you the truth.... it's not that hard. All it takes is goobering up a bunch of silicone on some glass. It's easy. Find any tank at a garage sale or off Craigs list. Go have a glass shop cut glass for baffles.... acrilic does not bond well with glass.... get some aquarium safe silicone....start goobering.

Any type of "all in one" will cost you more in the long run as you replace it.

 

1. Get a cheap tank that holds water
2. Get an idea for your sump layout and how you'll arrange your baffles (best design IMO is having the return in the middle, a refugium on one side, with a constant water level on the other side for your skimmer) your sump input will be split. One goes to refugium and one skimmer. Put a ball valve on the refugium line to slow input (gph through refugium varies).
To make baffle design easier you might want to measure and cut some cardboard pieces which represent your baffles. Then arrange them how you like in the sump.
3. Take your measurements to a place that cuts glass and get the baffles cut
4. Get some aquarium grade silicone and goop it in
5. Let dry and bam! You have a sump/refugium

But if you're still not a diy'er, keep searching on craigslist, deals are always popping up.

 

thank you for the encouragement and tips. i looked at few designs and it doesn't look that complicated. i may give it a try myself

 

I have a 72 and used a 20 gallon long. I designed it to have the input on one side and it flowed throught the fuge and then the return @ the end. If i had to to it again i woulf have the fuge on one side, intake on the other and the return in the middle.