Putting together my first ever sump....How do I do this?

[td3025]

So I'm going to be purchasing / building a refugium sump for my 60 gal aquarium.
My most basic question ever is...what do I need?

I was looking at buying a kit like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/REFUGIUM-KIT...-/191230874999 either a 10 gal or a 20 gal.

It comes with the dividers for each section and all that.
For my return pump section...what do I need exactly? I've seen a lot of people have their tanks customized to have a hole in the side for the return pump, but I am not going to be able to do that for my tank. So what kind of overflow box and such do I need??

Can someone just take me through the basics of a sump. I understand that it's basically a second tank that is going to filtrate my water and pump back the good water into my display tank. But what do I need for each section for a 60 gal FOWLR tank?

Sorry I sound so clueless. I really think this'll benefit my tank, plus I'm not a big fan of all my filters and heaters and such hanging behind my tank, not a pleasant appearance.


Oh and while I'm at it, I need to get a protein skimmer still. Should I get a hang on back one or once I get a sump can I get a submersible one? What is the best one I should get for a 60?

 

[hybridazn]

I wouldn't use a 10 gallon for your sump, it's a bit small. I would use a 20 long and use this baffle kit here

http://reef2reef.com/threads/diy-baffle-kit.224889/

To answer your question about ppl drilling a hole for their return. That's because they chose to run a external return pump. You can opt to run a submerged return pump so you won't have to drill any holes. Once you get a sump you can put your skimmer, heater, media reactors etc in the sump out of sight.

 

[td3025]

I wouldn't use a 10 gallon for your sump, it's a bit small. I would use a 20 long and use this baffle kit here

http://reef2reef.com/threads/diy-baffle-kit.224889/

To answer your question about ppl drilling a hole for their return. That's because they chose to run a external return pump. You can opt to run a submerged return pump so you won't have to drill any holes. Once you get a sump you can put your skimmer, heater, media reactors etc in the sump out of sight.

20 it is then! I was thinking a 10 may be a bit small but I hadn't ruled it out yet. I'll check that thread out, thank you