Sump / Fuge - is it worth it?

[Todd]

I have a 36 gallon tank and have been thinking of adding a sump / fuge to it. Was thinking of a 20 G sump with baffles. Adding my heater, skimmer and calpura under a light, but no sand or liverock. The reasons that I want to do this are:

1. Add volume to the system
2. Get an in-tank fuge out of the tank (doesnt look so hot in there)
3. Hopefully solve a micro-bubble problem caused by my HOB skimmer

I have have a few questions about this though

a) Is the extra volume going to mean that I can add more livestock?

My nitrates have been good. I currently have 2 maroon clownfish, one coral beauty, one purple pseudochromi, small pearl bubble coral and a few fuzzy mushrooms, as well as a medium size collection of snails and crabs. I am hoping to add more easy to keep corals but also had thoughts of adding 3 green chomis. Does the increased volume mean that I can add more livestock, or am I 'out of room' in the tank?

b) I was planning a submersible return pump (Aqua Via 2300, ~ 380 GPH at 4 feet of head)

What does this do to any pod population from the fuge (it will be below the tank). Is anything going to survive the pump. Right now my in-tank fuge with Calpura has a fairly healthy pod population. I was planning on moving the calpura into the main compartment of the sump and light it with a screw in florescent light.

c) Is my skimmer going to be effective as a HOB unit on the sump?

Accessibility should not be a huge issue as I only have a metal stand, but I am worried that the lower water level will cause a lot of noise as the water splashes down (and salt creep). Also will it be alright to have the skimmer in the same compartment as the calpura if I protect the powerhead from it? On this same train of thought, will my heater be all-right in the sump with the calpura?

d) What is the possibility that the sump (20G with baffles) will not solve the microbubble problem and make it worse?

e) Is it worth the money to gain any of these advantages. As with most of you, I am way over my tank budget, and seeing as I am a student and a full time athlete dont really have alot of money to burn (wrong hobby). I do have a lead on a cheap sump and there is what looks to be a good 600 GPH U-siphon overflow on ebay for relatively cheap.


Thanks!