New Tank...Need Advice??? FOWLR or REEF???

[lilzeus99]

I am starting my first ever salt water tank build. I have had my heart set on doing live rock and corals...and fish to match the set up, but the more homework I do, I'm thinking a fish only tank with live rock.
I just seem to be reading that all the aggressive fish need large tanks, and mine is only going to be a 45 gallon tall tank. Should I stick with the reef idea, or what?
What fish suggestions can you give me to look at for that small of a tank?
Thanks a million...
shane

 

[spiderwoman]

How long is your tank? That dictates much of what type of fish you can have there.
FOWLR vs Reef... what kind of lights are you planning? What is your budget for the tank? What type of filtration you have?
All of that comes into the equation.

 

[lilzeus99]

My tank is 36" long.
I have an emporer 400 filter, and am planning on buying a skimmer before I add the water....
Lights:
I'm shooting for a fixture like this:
Dimensions: (2X) 36" X 4" X 1.5" (there are two reflectors)
One 96 Watt Dual Actinic (half 420nm Actinic/ half 460nm Actinic) and one 96 Watt Dual Daylight (half 10K/ half 6700K) lamp
Remote electronic ballast
Patented end-cap locking system
Parabolic aluminum reflectors
thanks for the advice
shane