My New Cube...I need help

[nauticac4]

After the roller coaster with my current tank I decided to start fresh. I currently have a 120 that will be sold when this tank is up and running. I had something happen in the tank which I cant figure out so my SPS is gone. My clams and anemones are doing great as are my fish.

I am on a $200 budget per the significant other. When I sell my 120 I will be able to add that $$ to this budget. But for now I am asssuming I only have $200 to work with.

So I aquired this:
Hope its okay I used your pics Michael.

The pane of glass on the left side is cracked from top to bottom but I got a deal I couldn't pass up. Picked the tank up Saturday and removed the pain with the help of my neighbor and some Miller. Get pictures of that later.

Ordered a new pane of glass which was $106 of my budget.

I will be using most of the equipment from my current setup which includes
Octo NW-200
Vortech MP40W
Custom Build Maxi Jet Rotation device
29 gallon sump
250 XM10k w. Lumenarc Reflector


The tank measures 36" Long 36" Wide and 31" Tall.

Need thoughts

Do I sell both my 250 halides and upgrade to 400W or do a 250 with 4 x 24"t5's?

Get new sand or reuse the old?

Need to get bulkheads, plumbing and anything else with the $94 dollars I have left. I have a ton more questions but we will start with this.

Current Tank

 

[OkR33Fer]

I would simply wash the sand and reuse it, it's a simple process and won't use any of your budget. I would also stick with the 250 and supplement with T5s. I got all my bulkheads for my 300G for $74 shipped (2x2", 2x1.5" and 8x3/4")

What do you need bulkheads for, are you going to drill the tank or just replacing the ones in the overflow/return?

 

[nauticac4]

The bulk heads are 2 - 1" and 1 - 3/4" When I got it it didn't have any

 

[nauticac4]

BTW If anyone has and cube pictures I'm trying to get ideas for aquascapes.

 

[nauticac4]

Nothing?

 

[sedor]

I always like cubes that have a lone island in the center full of SPS and a lot of swimming room around it. To me its a very clean look. Reminds me of a bonzai tree lol. Don't forget to pile your rocks so you have a ton of little caves for the fish though.

 

[ctripi]

IMO ditch the sand. Once you disturb it, you'll experience the DSB crashes everyone speaks of.

 

[skleek]

Nice!

 

[nauticac4]

I move the sand in my tank quite a bit so its not too dirty. I will probably pull it out rinse and reuse to avoid blowing the rest of my budget on sand.