Help with deciding factors

[Padrino]

I really like the view of the 72ga bow front tank but some people are telling me to go with a 90 ga rectangle for filteration reasons. What do you guys think? What sump would i go with? the maximum width of the sump would hve to be 10 inches wide due to the stand restrictions. My LPS has told me to purchase a"mr trickle". its the copy of a all-glass trickle bio ball trickle system but will fit inside the stand for the bow front.

The other factor is the lighting. I will be purcahsing a current usa MH system which is 48" x 15" wide. 3 " wider in the cornersany suggestions? should i suspend this unit from the ceiling or just use the feet ??

What should i do?

Thanks

 

[D to the P]

I would sacrifice the look of the 72 for the space of the 90. For the filtration aspects alone.
Get as big of a sump in there as possible. The trickle filters are ok, but you'll want to make sure that you have room enough for as big of a protein skimmer as possible, and possible even a refugium (research them if you aren't sure about them. If its a reef tank I would definitely get one). The only thing I have against trickle filters is that they allow for only aerobic bacteria to grow, which only convert amm. into nitrite, and nitrite into nitrate. No anaerobic bacteria to convert the nitrate into n2. Thats when a refugium would come in handy. Look into maybe even custom building one. They don't have to be fancy. You could even see if any RC members live around you, or are a part of your Local Reef club and see if any of them would be willing to come over and help out in either plumbing or construction if you aren't confident with your abilities.

As far as the light goes, the feet are generally fine but make sure you don't have a glass canopy. You'll also want to make sure you have really good water flow on the surface of the water. You cannot rely on your return pump for this alone. You will need to purchase at least 2 powerheads. Something like a Koralia 4 would be nice, and put them on either side of the aquarium.

Check out TSwifty's 90 gallon build thread. You will find a lot of information and ideas within that thread as he started from scratch like you. You can also ask questions in there and they generally get answered really quick from well respected people.

 

[Padrino]

yes i would be putting at least 3 koralia 3 power heads in the tank to help move the water.

Btw is there any threads that compare the different skimmers? i was looking at the octopus 150NW should i go bigger? should i get another skimmer?

 

[D to the P]

http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=346

The capn' has compiled a bunch of skimmer comparison threads.
I've heard good things about the octopuses. But each skimmer has its ups and downs and it's all about how much you're willing to spend.