Reality Check For New Tank

[tyrfing]

I'm planning on building a new tank. I'm starting out with LR & LS and will eventually convert it to a reef tank with fish. It's a 125 gallon with stand, hood, etc.
The LFS reccomended the following:
Tank, hood, stand
Thermometer
2 36" 10k actinic lights
Kent Protein Skimmer
3 Power Sweep Heads
A double cannister filter
2 250 watt heaters
8 bags of live sand
Any advice? I'm planning on reducing the LS and ordering mainly from SWF as well as 140 lbs of LR. I'm probably going to go with stationary heads as opposed to the rotators, the one I currently have in my 75 froze up after 2 months.
My concern was the cannister filters. I told them I wanted to go with a sump system, but they didn't reccomend it (but didn't give any good reason). The cannister filters can be nitrate traps from what I've read on some of the posts.
Any suggestions? I want to get this thing started as soon as possible so I can start stocking in late spring/early summer.

 

[josh]

Hi, well with a tank that size I would most definatly go with a sump. Also, if you are going to be running only two lights until you start adding coral I would make one a 10 K daylight lamp instead of two acitinics. You should be able to run the powerheads from the sump, however i wouldn't go with the sweeping kind, I have read where they jam up and don't move anyway. As for the sand, you are going to want a 4 inch DSB. You can use a play sand like, well you probably know and we can't mention anymore and then just add an inch or so of live sand on top to seed the whole deal. When you turn it into a reef you will want 1.5 lbs/gal of LR. As for the skimmer I really haven't had much experience as I have never ran one, but for that size I would. I am sure others can give you some good ones to check out here at saltwaterfish.com.Other than that it looks as though you have your basics covered, just get some test kits as well.
HTH keep asking questions
Josh

 

[josh]

just a footnote, when you do start to add corals, you will have to upgrade the lights. I would go with MH supplemented with VHO - unfortunatly you can't skimp here and it will cost$$$$$$.
just my .02
Josh

 

[wrigley11]

About the lighting, if you can get the lighting when you setup the tank. Otherwise more then likely you will go throw algee blooms when you upgrade the lighting.
If you have a canopy over the tank you can just buy the lighting material and mount everything in the canopy. MH are nice but can cause overheating problems. If you go with MH you will need to also use some type unless the MH are 10K+...
If you need the web address of good lighting supply places drop me an email.

 

[von_rahvin]

i would also go with MH suplemented by VHo. if i had the money that is what i would have done. instead of it now i have just VHo's they work fine but . . .
also i know some places thast have designs for home build MH's find adrian he is the man