Ok since Petlover mentioned a ref and I have been reading alot more on reef systems I started looking into making one. I found alot of info on making my own sump with ref in it from an old 10G tank. My stand will hold 2 10G tanks, one up top and one down near the floor. I was going to have the front part be the ref and the back part be for the protien skimmer and return pump. I have read about either a refugium/sump or a wet/dry sump but seen very little of both a wet/dry and refugium sump. Is this because there is just no room in the tank for both? If I do this I would build an attachment on top for the bio-balls then it would drain into the ref then into the skimmer chamber then the return pump.

If I had this setup would I still need the HOB filter?

If I build the ref/sump and added it to an existing tank would the cycle process start all over?

Is this a good skimmer? CPR Bak-Pak Protein Skimmer

Keep in mind I am just researching and getting ideas for the future. I will be establishing my FOWLR first and constantly learning more. Oppinions are encouraged please.