Hello RC with a question or two...

[Snuffy]

I decided to combine my "hello Post" with a couple of questions, so I skipped the introduction sticky.
I've been following the work of SantMonica and recently have really appreciated floyd r turbo's insight on ATS. I'm a former fresh water guy that focused on lake specific cichlid tanks (years ago) and have been threatening to start up a SW tank for years now...
Due to my wife and I's continued insistence on producing children, I'm going to try and put something together for the least amount of money possible! Maybe my build could help someone else get into the basement of the hobby as well. My hope is to then continue to learn and improve my equipment as the money allows.
What I have so far: 48 gallon bow front on a stand, filled with water.
My plan was to use an old Top Fin 60 I had laying around and convert it to an awesome two sided UAS ala the Tetra HOB conversion. But the mechanical noise alone, before the conversion, has talked me out of it. I will now go back to my personal take on the diy HOG. (TYVM! and I look forward to spending money on your equipment with future builds!)
I'm going to use a few chunks of live rock to seed the rest of my inexpensive and/or free base rock. (cheap as possible build means patience!)
My question comes with the bottom. I wanted to do bare bottom to start for extra simplicity, but the bottom of my tank is a bit ugly. The bottom brace blocked the painting and the seams are ugly with silicone. Could I use something like seachem matrix or similiar product as a "substrate" with all the benefits of a sand bottom without the risk or extra work? Might look silly, but I'm already planning some kind of pokemon underwater world for my kids, so why stop there with the ridiculous?! If this is plausible, my next question would be where and how to point the two power heads I've got planned to get the water flowing effectively for its use.
Thanks in advance and I'm happy to go from long time lurker to first time poster!
Cheers!

 

[heathlindner25]

I would vote against it. Nothing but a food trap

 

[2smokes]

Its hard for a beginner but first and most important thing when setting up a reef aquarium is to know what corals you want to keep.Lps and soft corals like dirtyer water ,SPS perfectly clear water to get as much light as possible from it .I am against pokemons in the aquarium but thats just a matter of taste.Also keep in mind that manny corals are toxic ,possible deadly so a reef aquarium isnt for kids.An algae scrubber works for filtration . Matrix substrate is a detritus trap.Sand is cheaper than matrix and if you want to keep the sand clean, then a RUGF Paul B style would do the trick.http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/7-paul-baldassanos-40-year-old-reef

 

[Snuffy]

Its hard for a beginner but first and most important thing when setting up a reef aquarium is to know what corals you want to keep.Lps and soft corals like dirtyer water ,SPS perfectly clear water to get as much light as possible from it .I am against pokemons in the aquarium but thats just a matter of taste.Also keep in mind that manny corals are toxic ,possible deadly so a reef aquarium isnt for kids.An algae scrubber works for filtration . Matrix substrate is a detritus trap.Sand is cheaper than matrix and if you want to keep the sand clean, then a RUGF Paul B style would do the trick.http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/7-paul-baldassanos-40-year-old-reef

Definitely going to keep it as "easy" as possible and will do LPS and soft corral and some small hardy fish. Someday I'd love to add some anemones after she's well established. This tank is going to be an ongoing science project for my oldest, his first assignment was to learn the nitrogen cycle. Unfortunately, I have resorted to a Pokémon theme to get him more interested. Once he grows out of it, they will be quickly ejected. I'm sorry I even told you guys, but the truth will set you free! Besides, I'm going to need ask opinions about "action figures" and possible leaching...
I also appreciate the warning and understand the risks. Will be treated the same way we appproach guns in this house. Although I can't lock up the fish tank, I'm confident I can keep the kids out of danger through treating things that can hurt you with respect, especially while acquiring the knowledge required to be responsible for such a thing.
The matrix idea came about to reduce the amount of rock I need and open up more room. I was hoping with a proper cleaning crew and well positioned power heads, the detritus would not be a problem.
That was a great article and right up my ally. I gave up on the idea of making my own rock because of the potential time it would take for it to be usable. Maybe someone could comment on that, because I really liked his idea of covering pvc with "cement". Something I never stumbled on while researching making my own.
Also never heard of the reverse under gravel filter. Will check that out and probably give a sand bed another thought. Thanks for the article, that was awesome!