Setting up a new sump/refugium

[Alex DeBeer]

Still kind of new to this whole thing, but I think I’m doing pretty good so far
I have a 55 gallon mixed reef tank that’s like 5 months old now.
Right now I have a Reef Octopus 100 HOB skimmer
I also have 2 HOB filters

I am buying this refug/sump but I don’t know exactly what all I need for it.
I know I need rock and bio balls, but not too sure on what else.
Do I still need the two HOB filters if I have the sump/refug/skimmer?
Can I get a new skimmer and put that in here so it’s not on the back of the tank?
Thanks for the help!

 

[Hemmdog]

If this is for a reef I’d get a different sump.

 

[Alex DeBeer]

If this is for a reef I’d get a different sump.

Why do you say that? What should I look for?

 

[Pdash]

That sump is just not a very good/modern design, the bio-balls are superfluous, and take up space which could be better used for other equipment/biological media or even a refugium. Also, there is no dedicated skimmer section and the corresponding return section which would allow your skimmer to operate at max efficiency, since the water level in its chamber needs to remain constant, that is to say uneffected by evaporation since that would effect only the return section.
It's not that what you have can't be made to work, I mean you can drive your car with your feet if you want to, doesn't make it a good idea.