I have been reading about sumps and refugiums trying to figure out
a) Do I need One?
b) How to build one?
c) What about hte canister filter?
a)no,you dont need one but they do have alot of advatages over sumpless systems
b)For my first sump,I used a 10gal aquarium but any container that'll hold water will work
c)Canister filters are really not idea for reef tanks,although they do make a decent media(carbon,phos-ban,etc..)filter.
So does a sump and refugium replace a canister filter?
I have a 40 Gallon Stretch Hex, is there a such thing as pre-built sumps and refugiums?
They don't really replace a canister filter because a canister filter should only be used for chemical media and water movement.A sump has many functions,it increases your total system water thus making the system more stable,it is a good place to put equiptment,its a good place to grow macroalgae(macro-fuge),it provides good gas exchange/aeration for the tank,and also provides water movement.
There are pre-made sumps/refuges but they're expensive and your stuck with someone else's design.It is very easy to convert an old fishtank or a rubbermaid container into a sump and customize it to your liking.
Sub Question.... I've decided after all the reading I've done, my 55w Power Compact light will be inadequate for what I want to house in the tank.
my tank being 30" across (being HEX) makes light selection a little difficult - I of course want the best lights I can get for my tank, with out being over-kill.
I'm not sure if anybody can give DIRECT recomentations to a specific product or item, but if that's possible I'd be VERY GREATFUL
For a tank that's 30",a single Metal Halide (175w or 250w)would be idea IMO
CoralVue sells there 250w MH retro(electronic ballast,reflector,socket,bulb)for $180,check e-bay as well,there are always good deals there.I paid $20 a piece for my 250w ballasts.