Starting a new tank

[Toxik]

After 3 years of having a 29 gallon salt water tank, I've finally decided to get something bigger. I bought a 90 gallon and also bought 2 seio 2600's with a controller.
I have $1800 CAD to work with right now and the things I still need to buy are lights, skimmer, water pump, sump and of course the things I haven't thought of yet. I just need a little help in choosing some of these items to stay within the current amount of funds. If it's not possible, then I need to prioritize the items.
I'm leaning towards 2 250 watt metal halides with fluorescents, and the skimmer I'm leaning towards is a Euro-Reef RS135. A nice quiet water pump would be nice.

Thanks

 

[PrivateJoker64]

I'd look into T5 lighting. You can keep anything under them that you can under halides, and they are much cheaper to run and much cooler as well. ( I have acros under a Tek fixture that are doing great.) I like your choice of skimmers. The Japanese Iwaki pumps are nice. I'd use the 29 for the sump, get some diamond hole saws on eBay to drill it with.

 

[omni2226]

Dont skimp on the skimmer and lights. The rest can be "middle" of the road stuff.
Such as a quite one or mag drive pump doing the job instead of buying eheim etc etc.
I would go with the T-5 lights too unless you really want the glitter/shimmer effect.
For the sump, dont forget to plan a lid of some kind! I didnt and had to rig one up after.
Put all plumbing together dry and in place then test it with some fresh water before gluing/painting.
Most of all have fun! Thats the thrill for me, putting stuff together and seeing it all come out like you want.

 

[Toxik]

I really like the look of metal halides. I have a 175 watt mh on my current tank and like the shimmer effect and have had good experience with that type of setup.
What's the purpose of having a lid on the sump, is it to keep evaporation to a minimum?
How about amount of water movement through the water pump. I see that they are rated by gph. On a 90 gallon tank, how much is recommended? I plan on having a mostly sps dominant tank and I understand I need lots of flow in the tank but how about through the skimmer?

 

[Toxik]

I bought a lighting hood, skimmer and pump yesterday. Got an awesome deal. The light is an Aquaperfekt Photon Plus, made in germany. It has 2 250 MH with 4 T5's. Very nice looking light. The skimmer is the Euro Reef Rs 135 and I forgot what the Pump is. The LFS didn't have the skimmer and pump in stock and he had to bring it in. I'm pretty stoked about the deal. Next project is to make a stand for the tank.

 

[markzfishn1]

Omni,
I'm curious. Why do you need a lid on your sump?

 

[sixspeed]

Did you purchase your light fixture online or at your LFS? if you bought it online where'd you get it?

 

[omni2226]

Lid on the sump isnt really a "lid" as in enclosing the entire sump.
I should have been more specific.
Where the drains and skimmer are has a lot of bubbles, bubbles popping means salt/creep/splash.
A lid/top over this section keeps the water in the sump instead of a damp mist all over the place.
Depends on how deep the sump is compared to the water level I guess. Mine is 12 inches deep with the water level at 8 inches.

 

[Toxik]

I bought the light fixture from the lfs.