If you are planning to include a sump in your system, you will need to determine how to move water between the sump and tank.
One of the best ways to decide what appeals to you is to see what your LFS (Local Fish Shop) has on display. You can also view a lot of tanks with little effort in Tank Photos. Many of these photos include a description of the tank equipment.
Sumps are water tanks which can house various pieces of equipment (pumps, filters, skimmers) as well as plants, Live Rock and algae. Sumps are usually placed under the tank, however they may be located remotely, with water being pumped back and forth. If you plan to have "Hang On Tank" filters and pumps, you will want to consider their placement (usually on the back of the tank) and plan for easy access.
As you can see, doing the research (i.e. filtration type) before purchasing anything can save you a lot of headaches (as well as money) in the future. Looking at what Cabinet, Canopy & Stand Suppliers have to offer can help you to decide what would work best for you.
We will be covering filter selection in the next lesson.
