dgee, You don't need to drill your tank. Simply buy an overflow box that hangs on the back of your tank that is rated for your tank size. I bought ESHOPPS which you can do a google search and goto their website and find the right size for your tank. Then buy a return pump that matches that overflow box. Everyone will probably suggest a mag 5... I got the Quiet One 2200 because it was $30 cheaper and a dependable return pump. This much I do know... and anyone correct me if need be,
1. Hang overflow box on back of tank. Then attach flexible hosing to the bottom and let it hang down into one side of your sump.
2. Set up baffles (I'm still learning how to do this... but you need the zig zag for bubble trap. The middle section would be a fuge (place for sand and macro algae, some snails and hermits)
3. Put your skimmer in the intake (where your water enters the sump).
4. the final section will be the return pump. This is where some people appear to be using some eggcrate to keep the fuge and return chamber water volume together, thus reducing evaporaton a little.
5. I am using 3/4" flexible tubing from the return pump back to the tank and an elbow diffuser to let water enter the tank.
From here, I think you fill the sump up, and begin the siphon on the overflow box. Once it begins, plug in the return pump and you should have your sump going! Then you can move your heater into the refugium chamber. I would continue to use your canister for some carbon/phosphate remover... pluss you probably get good flow off your canister. Between the canister and return pump, you might need one more ph moving some water around. Now you've added water volume to your system, hidden equipment in your sump, and added a fuge to fight against bad algae's in your tank!
This is my base of knowledge, and of course trying to learn more in the next couple of weeks.
I still have to buy an Acqua C Urchin (just connect pump and plug in, no plumbing) protein skimmer, it's small sized so that the intake chamber doesn't have to be too big to place it in. That way the fuge area can be as big as possible.
I need to get a grow light for my fuge area as well. Get the baffles measured and cut at lowe's and I should be good to put it together. I'm probably a couple of weeks from being done just because I'm so busy at work.
Believe me, you can do it. Again, I have no idea what I'm doing, but if so many can do it themselves, I can too!
