New 90 Gal setup

[Enygma_0]

I am in the process of setting up a new 90g reef and wanted some assistance with lighting and other needs. I want to keep a few fish and SPS and LPS corals. I was thinking that VHO would be the way to go, but did not know how many bulbs 4-6 48" bulbs as well as what type should I go with and how many.

Also for sand to get it to 2" bed depth I assume from looking at teh calculators I am going to need about 100 lbs of sand. I wanted to reuse some sand out of a 29g tank, is it worth the hassle to try and clean teh heck out of the sand?

As well setting up a a sump, I was considering converting my 30g tank to a sump. Should that be enough?

One last question, I have an aquaC remora skimmer HOB type and will that be enough for a 90g tank or am I going to need to go bigger?

In order of time wise what would I need to tackle first so I can get my tank up and running and recycled in the 90g...

 

[melosu58]

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f14/stock-list-and-tips-for-maintaining-your-sw-tank-73477.html

Read this for an idea on equipment needs.

 

[dsmlrussell]

If your skimmer is the one that came with the maxijet 1200 pump its only rated to 75 gallons. Aqua c sells an in sump skimmer called the urchin pro that would work nicely.

 

[Innovator]

What are the dimensions of your tank? Is it Reef Ready? I would either go with a T5 or metal halide setup if wanting a variety of sps.

 

[Enygma_0]

The tank is reef ready and I am planning on using my 29g as a DIY sump. I was looking to keep more medium lighting SPS and LPS no high lighting corals such as acro etc.. at this time.

I was wanting to know while the tank cycles I could go ahead and purchase new T5 lighting 4 48" fixture setup with an icecap ballast. Use my Remora and then after about 1 mo, purchase the urchin pro with a mag 5 pump or orsomething of the like at that time. I need to know the order in which I sould purchase things and viably fill up my 90g and get under way. Should I stage things, or let that nice new aquarium sit empty until I have all other pieces?

 

[dsmlrussell]

If you want to use t5 i would go with this 48" Nova Extreme 8x54 watt T5HO w/ 4 Lunar Lights: Premium Aquatics Its pretty cheap for the power. and you could keep a wide variety of corals.

 

[Innovator]

Your heart is in the right place, go with a 48" 4x54w IceCap (reflectors) with a standard ballast. The IceCap ballasts are geared towards "over-driving" your lamps, which you should not need. If you might be wanting more sps in the future, either 6 lamp Tek or a 4x54w Powermodule would work. As for skimmers; In-sump: Octopus (Extreme), Vertex (gen 2), ATI, Tunze, and ASM or AquaC as bottom feeders (require more finageling). Euro-Reef is still a decent brand if you don't mind ordering direct. For HOB skimmer: Deltec, Octopus (sicce pump), or Eshopps I guess. You still need two heaters, roughly two 100w titanium (get a ranco controller for these). You will also need a return pump based on your overflow ratings and powerheads unless you are going to drill for a closed loop.