I am a newbie

[Teeka01]

Thank You so much. You guys or gals have been very helpful. I posted this and more questions on another forum and their advice was bassically do the research. God only knows I have been. I have not bought anything as of yet. But I am starting to get ready to. how big of a sump or a refugium do I need. I would rather have it on the large side then on the small. I tried to set up a saltwater tank many years ago and flopped miserably. I was too young and had no patience. I want to do this right this time so I am going to be real patient. What is the difference between a sump and a refugium?
Teeka

[FragOutpost]

When it comes to a sump I would recommend that you get the largest that you can fit under your stand (if that is indeed where you plan to keep it).

A sump is basically another tank or container of water that is plumbed into your display tank that is used for housing things like your return pump, skimmer, and other hardware. Using a sump will also effectively increase your total water volume as well as the square inches of water surface. A sump is a good place to hide all of the hardware so that it is not cluttering up your tank. A sump is also a good place to store extra live rock for improved filtration.

A refugium is a place where you can grow macroalgae, pods, and other critters that would normally be eaten by the fish in your display tank. This is why it is called a refugium, because it provides a place of refuge for these critters.

[FragOutpost]

Also, many people, including myself, use a cheap rubbermaid container for their sump. I found the perfect size container at Target for like seven dollars.
I chose this route because I had tried various glass aquariums before and always had the problems of it being too tall and was a pia to get the skimmer in and out, or not fitting underneath the stand. The rubbermaid container was a lot faster to implement and much cheaper to buy than building a sump from scratch out of glass or acrylic. Plus when the doors to the stand are closed you can't tell anyways.

[FragOutpost]

Have you decided yet on the types of hard or soft corals you plan to keep?

[D12monkey]

LOL thanks for the indepth answer I was running short on time. Had to leave for work.

[Teeka01]

Are far as what type of corals I am planning on getting. The one I know for sure is the bubble coral, I think those are so nice. Right now I am looking at all the different ones.

[FragOutpost]

Well, I've never kept a bubble coral so I can't comment on that but I wish you the best of luck with your new tank. Please post some photos of your progress after you get the tank set up. Thanks.
-FragOutpost