Sump / Canisters / Wet Dry?

Hello All, this is my first post, been lurking awhile, but couldn't find the answer to this, so your help is much appreciated!
Currently, I'm working on building a mixed reef tank slowly but surely from a 120 Gal Long tank. I currently am running a Filstar XP3, Emperor 400, and an Emperor 280 for filtration. I also have a cheapy protein skimmer & another powerhead of some sort, I think it's a 900. There is also a CSL 48" power compact 22"x4 w/ led's (not necessarily related, but guess I'd throw that in there) and 2 heaters.

Now, my question is, after all that ranting, if I start a sump what filters should I keep running? I'm not necessarily new to aquariums, just saltwater and have an extra 30g sitting around I was thinking of turning into a sump. I also found, over the weekend, an NPU1500 (Nursery Pro pond pump) (flows about 1k GPH @ 4-5ft head) that needs a new impeller (woot!) in the garage that I am planning on using for a return pump. I will still have to come up with an HOB overflow, but that should be easy enough.
I guess I'm just wondering, do I not need the HOB filters if I've got a sump? I'd like to keep the XP3, just for carbon & flow.

Thanks!
ps. sorry if it's a bit hard to follow, just trying to get everything down that might help?

 

Read this first. It should answer some questions, and probably give you some more.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

 

ahhhh, how did I miss that? Nice thread! So, just out of curiosity, what are your thoughts on W/D filters, specifically the biowheel type?

 

Did that 30 gallon ever get dosed with Copper based medication? If it was a freshwater tank you need to seriously know its history before using in a saltwater application.

 

^^^ Ya, what he said.

Bio wheel filters are supposed to be bio filters and give the ability to run some media, but pretty much usless if you want to run a reef. Live rock is your bio filter and it does a much better job than a W/D or HOB filter could ever do. It will reduce nitrates where as the others will stop that cycle at ntirates. A reef tank with plenty of live rock is all you need.

After that a good skimmer. If you want to run media (GFO, GAC, bio pellets) then get a reactor... $40 and run bulk stuff... much cheaper and more efficient. You can get a fuge to mop up any nutrients left over.