newb overwhelmed on setting up

[billm90]

I am slowly setting up my 100 gallon for a reef tank.

The tank is a standard 100 gallon, with a 1" or 1.5" drilled bulk head in each upper corner. so a total of 2.
I have 2 250w MH 10K bulbs.
and a 29 gallon sump.

I needs advise or leads on what/where to get for the following. I want to do this right the first time.

Skimmer
Actinic lighting (do these need to be HO or VHO? or garage lights work?)
rotating power heads
Pumps to return and skim
ro/di

Do I need more bulk heads? should Ihave the bottom drilled?
It already has 4 holes in the middle of the tank. Odd place for an overflow IMO unless it was baby sharks only.

Obviously looking to stay reasonable on price, but from reading, I see where it is important to not go cheap, which is why I am taking my time on getting the parts.

Is there any major items I am missing before I can fill with water and start cycling some rock?

Any advise on how to set up power heads, or plumbing with a tank like this? I have read plenty of stuff. maybe someone has been more sucessful with a tank of this size.

 

[demonsp]

These may help.GL..


http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/startinganaquarium/tp/topmistakes.htm

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/archive/index.php/f-65.html

http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/blank/bldsbdiscussion.htm

http://www.amazon.com/New-Marine-Aq...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205050392&sr=1-1

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature/view

 

[bertoni]

For a skimmer, I'd probably look at a Euro-Reef or ATI. Euro-Reef seems to have distributor problems now. The skimmer will come with a pump.

For the sump, I'd target around 150-200 gph flow. The pump will depend on how far below the tank the sump is.

Lighting is very dependant on the animals that you wish to keep. T5 and metal halide are the common choices these days, especially for light-demanding animals.

There are a lot of vendors selling RO/DI equipment. I would look for a 75 gpd membrane and work from there.

 

[adam1980]

Be carefull if you decide to have the bottom drilled on a 100 gal tank. Chances are the the glass on the bottom is tempered glass. (breaks easy) Good luck.