New Tank

[jedimaster]

I am going to try my hand at a 25 gallon with a 5 gallon sump(to hold berlin HO turbo, heater and pump and possibly an emperor 400 and 280. I will have them tomorow, My question is. It sounds like alot to be housed in a 5 gallon sump but it should fit.
Will I need the emporer's? I will have the 25 with about 2-3 inches of Live sand(from m 90 that I have taken down, I still have it runnning in a 20 gallon with a maroon.
I have only one very small piece of LR(I had to sell it off with my 90 gallon tank.
I will be using a single 175watt MH sunburst bulb for lighting.
I want this to go reef but not for several months or longer and after I add about 30 pounds of LR.
Does anyone else run an emporer in there reef tank?

 

[finland]

With very little LR, I would run at least the 400. I don't use Emperors on my reef, only the FW tanks,but several people do and are happy with them. After you get more lr , then you can remove the Emperors if you want. Make sure to keep the filter pads clean. Also, if you are concerned with filtration, dsb of 4-6 inches are recommended here a lot. You probably are well aware of it, but with setting up a new tank, why not go a few inches more. Just a thought.