new 90 gal reef setup have questions

[ihavtats29]

ok i finaly decided to sell the red bellies and start the planning of converting my 90 gal fw to a reef setup this tank is a all glass 48" tank and is not drilled. i have not decided wether im going to use a sump or a hob fuge and skimmer im going to be building a canopy for the tank where i plan on fitting 2) 175 watt mh and either 2 or 4 65 watt pc's or some vho's for antic lights they will be controled with mechanical timers and i will be making my own moon lights. not sure if ill be using a sand bed or just using live rock, i am planning on using 100 lbs of base rock and seeding it with some of the rock and sand from my 10 gal nano after setup and cycle ill add the rest of the rock from the 10 gal ing the tank. this will be a low budget process using anything i currently own or given from friends any advise , thoughts and comments will be apreciated

 

[demonsp]

First decide on type of stock you want. The more specific the better. Then type of lighting is easier to choice.
A reef tank will look great with just the basics.
Water source.Not tap.
Water flow.A few powerheads and a HOB media filter and skimmer.
Amount or LR and LS.

A sump is for equipment placment and a HOB fuge for pod and water control. I would get a full refugium.They are an easy and inexpensive do it yourself project and isnt needed for a few months atleast.

 

[ihavtats29]

im planning on a mixed reef sps , lps, and soft

 

[BLKTANG]

There is no such thing as "Low Budget" when it comes to setting up a 90g reef.Unless you have real generous friends.Be prepaired to do lotsa research,& spend lotsa money.I have $1000's in my reef.

 

[ihavtats29]

and forgot i allready have a ro/di i live in a apartment so room is slim , i also have a 48" current usa 4)65 watt pc with lunar off of my old 55 gal reef, ive been looking at the CPR Bak-Pak Dual Pak Protein Skimmer , im also leary about plumbing to a sump since i do live upstairs , my tank is on a load bearing wall . i just dont want a leak to form and flood the people below me i also carry 100,000 in renters ins

 

[ihavtats29]

i know its gonna cost $ like i said i have quite a bit of equipment allready from tanks ive kept in the past , im avery handy person i can make and design just about anything i need to for a fraction of the price that you have to pay purchace plus markup , my father works for lucite who manufactures acrylic i can get that at cost. i had spent around $2000 on the 55 gal i had and i droped around 500 into the 10 gal i know what im getting in to