building a set up for my cousin

[cuttingrass]

my cousin and his dad want me to set up a system in their house, they already have a new 90 gal corner. what would be your dream set up for a 90 gallon. they will eventually want to have corals in this tank. looking for pretty good equipment. skimmers, lighting what watt 2 175s or 2 250s or would you go a different rout and put in t5s, pumps etc. anyway all coments would be helpful. thanks alot

[BubbaWPB]

The better question, is "What is their dream tank?" It is pretty much essential to have an idea what goes in the tank to be able to equip it right. I'm not trying to be a smart alec, but it seriously depends what goes in the tank... There are so many choices.

[cuttingrass]

ok well i talked to him today. his tank doesnt have a canopy so hes going to get one for it. hes going to want to start off with the easy care corals, LPS, mushrooms, things like taht but will eventually want some sps, clams. fish wil include somethin like pair of clowns, naso tang, some kind of blenny and maybe some chromis. anyway just wanting to point him in the right direction on a good skimmer for 90 gal and a good lighting setup. thanks for all your help.

[BubbaWPB]

If he is going to want SPS down the road, it is much cheaper to get the high-powered lights now (as opposed to getting less intense lights, then having to buy a second lighting system later). I'd suggest metal halides.

What sort of skimmer, hang-on-back? sump? in-line?

[cuttingrass]

i was planning on getting MHs, i dont know if i want to couple that with VHOs with actinics to get a nice color or ive heard the 14K MH bulbs give good color but have not seen one personally over a tank yet. for the skimmer im thinking he will want either in sump or inline. like the acua C ev seiries, Nautilus TE, or euro reef. what would you guys suggest for this tank.

[BubbaWPB]

I like to have a combination of lights so that it's not just on and off... you can have a dusk and dawn period with less intense lighting in addition to the "mid-day sun" with the MH's. I've seen the dusk/dawn effect with regular fluorescents, VHO's and even lower wattage MH's.... as long as you have adequate light for the majority of the day (MH for SPS), the lighting choice for the dusk/dawn is up to your personal preference....

[cuttingrass]

what about the skimmer options do you or anyone else have personal skimmer preference, is one a beeter bang for the buck, work beter. i have berline turbo on the 125 and i would never again put on of these on a tank. and have never seen theses other skimmer brands in action.

[BubbaWPB]

I'm seeking the same advice for my new 265 gallon tank right now, "What's the best non-HOB skimmer?"

I found this page http://www.wetwebmedia.com/skimbestof.htm ...and lots more links on protein skimmers at the top. I read until I get confused, rest and come back for more... I need "Protein Skimmers for Dummies" or a good summary of all that info...

[cuttingrass]

haha im right there with you about the getting confused part. ive been reading your thread about your 265, have you found a good dealer where you are buying your light system from, good stuff at a good price.

[BubbaWPB]

Well, I bought the MH's from the LFS, but they are available online directly from Hamilton Technology for a comparable price. I'm still working on the actinics... not sure at this point if I'll go with fluorescensts or maybe some lower watt 20K MH's.... decisions, decisions.