converting 125G freshwater to LPS, sand or BB, + setup

[Zythum]

Hi,

I just started a 45G shallow cube for SPS only. Cant resist and I will convert my freshwater 125G 6 feet to LPS tank. I am wondering if I should put a shallow sand bed instead of bare bottom. Many corals I see need to be put on sand at bottom of tank?

Here is my planned setup, most of it is already there:
- 125G 72x18x22
- lighting 4x T5-HO de 60" 80W with independant reflectors
- powerhead 2x koralia 1400 et 2x koralia 750 on wavemaker
- 40G sump 36x13x20
- heater 2x 300W
- return pump 2x MAG7
- filter sock 7" (replaced every 3 days)
- 2 dosing pump for two part
- skimmer rated for 200G
- phosban 150 for carbon or GFO
- 10G saltwater reserve
- 5.5G top off with aqualifter pump

For lighting I will use front to back, the lamps are mounted 12 inch high inside white painted canopy with venting and independant parabolic reflectors:
- Giesemann actinic+
- ATI Purple plus
- Giesemann actinic+
- Giesemann aquablue+

Planned stocklist:
- 1x white tail bristletooth tang
- 1x powder blue tang
- 1x flame angel
- 1x gramma basslet
- 1x copperband
- 2x clownfish true percula
- 2x wrasse, not sure which ones, already have a six line in my 45G
- 1x green clown goby
- 20 hermit crab blue et red leg
- 20 snails

If I put sand, I would put inverts for cleaning and fishes that require it.

Any comments/suggestions?

Thank you

 

[Claytore]

bump..
Im doing the same.. except I am going to a 55 gal sump, 150 lbs of LR, and 3 LEDs 120s.. I dont plan on doing any SPS just LPS and just a few fish.

 

[DC650]

I like the look of having sand personally.

 

[reefaluva]

I like sand also, just looks more natural to me.

 

[akitareefer]

I like the look of sand... but, with fish/snails/hermits things get buried, especially prescious lps on the bottom. If I did it over again, I'd do a more larger diameter grain size