Question About Sump

[pony_killer]

Alright guys I have a 46 Gal bowfront stocked with 70-80lbs of live rock, 3 inche live sand bed, 3 percula clowns, yellow tang, 3 chromies, scooter blenny, & royal gramma, and several snails and hermits. Now I've had my tank up and running since June and all is going exceptionally well. I'm thinking of investing in a sump/refugium but need help because I don't know jack about them. What do I need it for? What size? Cost? etc.
School me guys and girls cause I need to know. Thanks

[pony_killer]

oh and i have several soft corals. =]

[Criminal#58369]

You can get a 20 gal cheap maybe $25 or so you would also need an external overflow, a pump and a hose (clamps with the screws) and maybe a filter sock. Maybe about $200 but a good investment!

[Shagsbeard]

Using an overflow/sump has many advantages:

1) Increased water volume for stability
2) Place to put heaters, probes, skimmers... stuff you would rather not have out in the open.
3) Constant level in your display. All evaporation shows up as a lowering in the return section of your sump.
4) Place to grow macro algae to control nitrates.

There's a great site that talks about sump building and design:
http://www.melevsreef.com/

[imtheonlylp]

i bought mine off ebay with the complete setup: tank, skimmer, return pump, lights, etc. for like $249...

[atty]

im making one right now. half refuge half sump. ill get some pics tonight and it should give you a rough idea.