Setup & Recommendations Please...

[Poolrad]

Ok just got the "ok" from the wife to setup a new reef tank (will replace my 46g bow-front)..

So I want to setup a 75-100g tank and would appreciate any feedback on tank brands, and what you would do for your initial setup (sump, refugium, uv, canister, wet/dry). I plan to get a tank with drill work already complete..

I hope to keep the tank & stand to around $750 and then work on the rest of the needed components over the next couple months. Overall I would like to stay under $1500 if possible (for hardware). Rocks, fish, etc.. will come later..

Any recommendations on what you would do if you could start fresh?

 

[thefishguy]

I am also in the process of setting up a 75 gal. I have bought and made all of my equipment. I am waiting on my sand and live rock.
So far I have spent about 750. 400 for tank (75 gal.), stand (pine wood), lights (normal output), hood (pine wood). 100 (used) for the protein skimmer (berlin classic protein skimmer w/rio 2500) which is 165 brand new. 50 for the overflow rated at 600 gph (tank isn't reef ready). 100 for mag 7 rated at 700 return pump and materials for a diy wet/dry filter. 46 for 4 200 watt tronic heaters brand new ( two for main tank, one for saltwater mixing tub and one for a quarintine). and finnally 48 for two maxijet 1200. I am using a 25 gallon tank for a sump which I already had.
All of the used items were purchased on ebay and every thing besides the tank,hood...... was purchased form premium aquatics.com