Alright, so we're set on 2x175W MHs and 2x39W T5 Actinics. Just a matter of finding them, which I'll continue to work on. Watching ebay and craigslist, and will make a BRK run soon to check on their T5 retros that Ziggy mentioned.
Also, gonna drill it. Why not, right? Sounds like fun. Now I'll just need to work out an overflow box, but I think I know a source that can help me there. He knows who he is.
So lighting and filtration are taken care of once I finish the last minute details of actually finding the lighting and designing the sump.
Stand - I think I'm going to take Ziggy up on his offer for assistance and tools, as I have none capable of this type of job. Hopefully he's not slapping himself on his head right now thinking "I knew I shouldn't have offered". I'll allow him to backout if he so chooses with no hard feelings - I'll still buy his frags either way
Ok, so next questions
I'm figuring drilling out 1" holes, so based on that what size return pump should I consider. I assume it'll be pushing to around 50-60" of head height (roughly 40" high stand). What size do I need? I also intend to drill extra holes for a closed loop with SCWD to make an attempt at not having PHs in the tank. I'll use locline on the outputs to split the flow on either side so I can point it where I want. Recommended pump size for that? Will need to be a pump capable of not being submerged. I'm copying very closely to Sparky's setup on his 29g.
Skimmer? Assuming 20g of water in the sump and 46g tank (minus rock room), what skimmer recommendations do you have? Ray had made a recommendation to me a long time ago, but I don't recall which one it was. I want to accomodate an in-sump design to keep everything down below.
I'll most likely be going with 90lbs LR from F&S and 60lbs live sand. Can't beat their shipping rates.