[SPC Ray]

Okay, I started a previous thread on what I was considering buying to start my first reef tank... Thanks to the helpful advice of this forum, I have completely started over. (not that that's a bad thing) At any rate, I have decided to go acrylic rather than glass, and I'm happy with that decision. I'm getting a 90 G rectangular tank with two overflows, one in either corner. What a way to improve my flow rate! Next, I'm having a sump custom made, which will NOT be wet/dry... per the advice of this forum. I'm having it constructed out of acrylic, with two bulkheads for my overflows, as well as baffles, a polishing sponge, the works. I'm having a refugium installed in my sump, with an overflow back to the main sump area. I think I've settled on a Kent Marine Nautilus TE skimmer, but I'm totally open to ideas... As far as lighting goes, I've decided on a Hamilton Retrokit... 2 175 W MH and two 96 W actinic 03 PC... That brings up another question. How am I going to keep things cool? Should I install fans in my canopy? I really want to avoid a chiller if possible, because the cost of one scares me to death... As was before, feel free to rip me apart, or compliment me on a good decision. Thanks a lot!

[Reefland]

Well I'd like to compliment you on a lot of good decisions! Sounds like you;ve researched, and heeded teh advice for the better.

I would suggest that you consider going with 250w halides versus the 175's. You and your animals will appreciate the additional intensity for the few extra dollars. To keep the heat down, I would install 2 Icecap 4" fans on either end of the canopy; 1 facing in and the other facing out. This will keep plenty of cool air blowing through and as long as the ambient room temperature is reasonable, you should have no problems with heat.

[SPC Ray]

I amended my previous post, the change being the skimmer... Do you think I should spend the bucks on an Aqua-C, or go with a Kent Nautilus with a higher flow rate? The Nautilus is a HECK of a lot cheaper as well... as far as the lighting goes, I really want to go 250, but I'm afraid that if I do, it'll be impossible to keep my temps down... however, I'm all theory, you guys are practice. Can't tell a combat medic how to plug a sucking chest wound when he's already been there, done that, you know? I think I will go with the 250's... only 30 bucks more anyway, and if worst comes to worst, my canopy will be full of fans!

[Reefland]

I don't think you'll have a problem with heat; if 2 fans isn't enough, 4 would definitely be.

I think you should go with the AquaC skimmer over the Kent. With skimmers, it's not about the flow rate, it's about the effeciency of the skimmer. AquaC EV series are awesome skimmers, spend the money and get the good one to start!

[SPC Ray]

That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't completely sure... besides, I'll have the money to do it once I sign my life over to Uncle Sam again. I just didn't want to get a skimmer that didn't have the output appropriate to my aquarium size... Aqua-C it is!