sump, wet/dry, canister, what to do??

hey guys (shiggidy shiggidy shwah?)

as some of you may know, i'm starting my 55 from scratch again... and this time, i want to do it right.. hokay, my options as far as filtration are as follows:
MegaFlow Sump Filter with a continuous siphon overflow (glass aquarium, no drilling for me...)
Rapids Pro Series PS4 (wet/dry with built in protein skimmer, surface skimmer overflow, aqua lifter, and auto top-off system..)
some sort of kick-butt canister filter that will fit in a space that is 11" deep, 23" wide, and 18.5" tall (that's the only space i have under my aquarium in my stand)

I may also incorporate a powerfilter with this setup, and use my coralife super skimmer...

I'd like to minimize clutter on the topside (display aquarium), so the skimmer would be in-sump (i've already checked, my current skimmer is capable)

given this information, what route would you guys recommend that i go?

oh, another thing, if i decide to incorporate a refugium, would i need to drill out holes in the center brace of my stand so i can run straight tubing through, or can i use flexible tubing to go around the brace? OR, should i relocate my aquarium while its empty, so that i can have open space behind the aquarium, allowing me to fit bigger equipment? one concern i have is that if i decide to do a fuge, and i want to keep it under the tank, i'm afraid the light for it will be a fire hazard...

ok, time to sum it all up.. i want a sump/fuge setup, but am limited on space, so the more i can fit inside the stand and still be safe, the better... i mean, with a canister filter, they usually don't take up more than a square foot, right? so i could move my stand over a little so that the canister can sit beside the tank...

 

sounds like to me, the Rapids Pro Series PS4 is the best choice for your set up. You have everything you need in a small compact unit. IMO

 

but is the rapids a good system? i've posted a question on this before (only a few days ago actually), but still haven't gotten any answers...

 

here's something that irritates me:

Filtration Choices, For A Marin Tank...Mucho Research Needed - 04/07/07
I have a 72 gallon bow front I'm to make saltwater.
<A worthy project, do be sure to research...and read, read, read.>
Would you use a Tidepool, Tom Rapids Pro, or a Lifegard system for filter?
<Neither would be my first...or second choice for a marine tank. I would much prefer a macro-algae refugium of some sort, copious amounts of porous live rock and OF COURSE a large and efficient protein skimmer.>
These are just some filters I picked if you have better ones in mind please help.
<Yes there are many other types, "style" of filtration I would rather have. See WWM for detail.>
And what type of media would you use?
<If you mean plastic, bio-media...I would not use it...personally.>
You all have a great site. Thanks,
<Anytime.>
Mike
<**AJ**>


okay, the part that says using just a refugium.. i've been told that you can't run a fuge without using a sump first...

 

You don't have to have a sump to have a refugium. Most people will incorporate a refugium as part of their sump design, but if space is at a premium then this cant be done.
There are mini refugiums that sit at the back of tanks and they basically overflow back into the main system.
Personally I would look to see what size sump I could fit into the stand, at 24" its not that bad, create some sections, one for your fuge, one for the return section, and the last to hold the skimmer and pump.
As the depth is also ok, you would also have enough space to house a fluidized bed filter within the skimmer section as well.

 

the only reason i don't want a HOB fuge is because of their small size, i've been told that they won't really offer much.. and as far as fitting a sump in the stand, except for a sort of DIY sump, the only one that would fit is the smallest megaflow... it looks like my best bet is to relocate my whole aquarium away from the wall about 2 feet, so then i can put anything behind it, and still be able to get behind there to do maintenence and stuff...