Need help! Jumping back in the hobby with a 45gal

[mousehatter]

Hi there!
I am jumping back in the hobby after a couple year hiatus. I am DETERMINED to make more of an effort to start up right this time around.
I would love some suggestions/ advice on lighting and needed equipment/media to run on a 20"*20"*20" DT with c2c overflow, plumbed into a 20"*20"*16" sump with 3 compartments. Seller is including an aqueon return pump.
Prior to finding this I was debating going with an AIO evo 13.5gal. Is it possible for me to run the same type of media within this sump ie purigen, phosguard, matrix? I am going to be using one of the compartments as a refugium holding sand and macro algae. What protein skimmer would be beneficial? I don't think there will be much room in there obviously at the beginning I won't have much of a bioload but eventually it will be needed over weekly water changes. I would also love to run kalkwasser in an ato so any help there would be great as well.
Thanks!!!

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[mousehatter]

Hi there!
I am jumping back in the hobby after a couple year hiatus. I am DETERMINED to make more of an effort to start up right this time around.
I would love some suggestions/ advice on lighting and needed equipment/media to run on a 20"*20"*20" DT with c2c overflow, plumbed into a 20"*20"*16" sump with 3 compartments. Seller is including an aqueon return pump.
Prior to finding this I was debating going with an AIO evo 13.5gal. Is it possible for me to run the same type of media within this sump ie purigen, phosguard, matrix? I am going to be using one of the compartments as a refugium holding sand and macro algae. What protein skimmer would be beneficial? I don't think there will be much room in there obviously at the beginning I won't have much of a bioload but eventually it will be needed over weekly water changes. I would also love to run kalkwasser in an ato so any help there would be great as well.
Thanks!!!

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Was thinking a hydro slim skim in case in tank was the better option.

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[mousehatter]

Picking it up Saturday!
What do I need running in the sump right away media-wise? I won't be running lights so I can research more on which I'll purchase.

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[tonyreef]

One thing that will make the renewed adventure smooth is a nice RODI system! Its a nice setup it give it zero TDS!

 

[RobZilla04]

Obviously you'll need a return pump for the sump. Based on the pic that is going to take up the majority of the space in it. Would be wise to put your heater(s) in the sump. I say plural because it is a good idea to have two incase one fails. Beyond that, everything is optional. The extra water volume, especially in a 45g system, will be nice to have.

Sump options are:

More rock for natural filtration
Skimmer
Mechanical filtration (sock or media tray)
Bio balls / Media block