Thanks for the input guys! It's been a big help!
So here's what I'm planning with the sump. It's my rough outline, so be gentle! Lol. You'll notice that I have the skimmer a few inches into the water level.
Please let me know if there is anything I am obviously missing, or anything you might think of to make the design better before I go out and start bugging glass and plastic companies all over town for scraps!