Starting over

[MarinePig]

Ok, I want to change things and do things the right way (if I can afford it). I'll give you what I got and please suggest the best changes to make.

I have:
72 gallon bow front tank with a live sand/crush coral mixture
200 watt heater
Proquatic Cannister 2400 Filter
Gamma UV Sterilizer (25 watt)
Prizm Deluxe Protein Skimmer
45ish lbs of live rock
Standard lighting

My plan:
1. I know I need more live rock, the plan is to slowly transition from a fish tank to a reef tank. Add rock gradually. Would it be best to buy already live rock? Or buy dry rock sold in stores and "grow" my own?
2. I know I need to add premium lighting. Either VHO or MH. What is the best on that works the best for the price. I have been told that MH is best that simulates natural lighting. The down fall, heat!!!. Would I have to have a refrigium (sp?) to cool the water?
3. The more I read the more I (and the wife) think we goofed on no going the sump route. We have the tank on a cabinet that we could put one in. I assume the sump area doesn't need any type of lighting, this is a closed in cabinet.
4. Already going to buy a RO/DI.
5. Guess I need to switch from the mixed bed to all sand?

Can someone give me a good list of what to put in the sump? I know the heater, will the protien skimmer that I have work there or should I go with different one? I'm sure I'll have more questions but this should be a wonderful start. Thanks in advance to the help.

[scubadude]

Welcome to RL

1. I know I need more live rock, the plan is to slowly transition from a fish tank to a reef tank. Add rock gradually. Would it be best to buy already live rock? Or buy dry rock sold in stores and "grow" my own?

You are probably better of getting already live rock. the problem with base rock is it will leach out die off, and doesnt have much if any life on it to start processing nutrients. Alot of this will have to do with how stable your tank is right now...if you have low Nitrates (under 10) then I would say you could get away with slow addition of Base rock...but if you are more elevated on your nitrate readings I would probably go with live rock.

2. I know I need to add premium lighting. Either VHO or MH. What is the best on that works the best for the price. I have been told that MH is best that simulates natural lighting. The down fall, heat!!!. Would I have to have a refrigium (sp?) to cool the water?

Ok first lets correct your spelling refrigium should be chiller ....its all good though bro And yes you will need a chiller more than likely if you get MH and your temps elevate over 84-85, However there are people that run fans instead of chillers and they have MH's. I think if you go with 150-175 watt MH's you would more than likely be able to avoid the chillers as long as your canopy is very well ventilated w/fans as well as your sump

3. The more I read the more I (and the wife) think we goofed on no going the sump route. We have the tank on a cabinet that we could put one in. I assume the sump area doesn't need any type of lighting, this is a closed in cabinet.

So does your tank have Overflows built into it (im guessing not)? If you want to upgrade your tank and you dont have overflows then you will have to either drill your tank and add overflows (dont drill tempered glass) OR you can add an external overflow box wich will avoid drilling your tank. Most ppl consider the external overlow box not as reliable as drilled holes. A sump is definately a valuable asset for your upgrade

4. Already going to buy a RO/DI.

Great move, if you can get a TDS meter as well with the package then by all means get one....this will tell you how bad your tap water is and how good your RO/DI water is coming out of the filters....which in turn will tell you when its time to replace your filters.

5. Guess I need to switch from the mixed bed to all sand?

Sand beds can be alot of work but can be very enjoyable....This really is a decision that you must decide if you want it in your system. Do you want corals that are naturally found in a SB? Do you want SB dwelling inverts in your system? There is alot of theories on SB's and you should weigh out the pros and cons and base it on what you want in your tank.

Can someone give me a good list of what to put in the sump? I know the heater, will the protien skimmer that I have work there or should I go with different one? I'm sure I'll have more questions but this should be a wonderful start. Thanks in advance to the help.

It will be much easier to just go with a in-sump skimmer, as far as plumbing goes. Just make sure you have enough room for your skimmer in your sump. You can put a refugium in your sump as well and this would be the main reason why you would need lighting in your sump area. Heater is another addition to sump, as well as a compartment for carbon if need be. The important thing you will find is that more than likely your sump will need to be custom made to fit your needs. If you are quite handy you might even consider building your own