I'm Back (27gal build)

[StirCrazy]

Ok, so things I am pondering right now are

1) stand design.
I am thinking for this one of taking an idea from my entertainment center, so the stand to hold the tank and sump, with a tower on each side to house top off weater, electronics, equipment, top off water ect..
then over the tank and inbetween the towers would be the lighting.

so something like this but with more doors
http://www.thebrick.com/Application/...2D7746DE483D3E

2) Lighting
I want MH, there was a post on some on the boar but it was for two and I don't realy need two for this tank so I am not sure about them.

I am thinking a DE 250 pendant or maybe a bare reflector, and two T5 Actinics. I just ordered two sets of water proof stand offs and endcaps for thoes and I have a WH7 ballast or two in the garage.. so that part is easy. Anyone have a single 250 watt DE setup for sale at a good price?

3) skimmers
Just took care of this one.... its a surprise

4) flow
this is a big one for me as I have learned through experance that flow is perhaps more important that lighting. in my 90 I had about 133X turnover flow rate, in this tank I want to be between 80 to 100X turnover, but I am only going to supply about 20X with the sump return pump.

So in this area a small tank is actualy harder as you have to find the nice flow with out striping the skin off your coral. Also I have to find something that won't take over the tank due to its size.

5) substrate
no sand, to many problems involved in it. I am beterrn a few options right now, bare bottom, marble, or slate.

6) and finaly.. the overflow system on the tank.
I am thinking external overflow with a herbie setup. I want this quiet, and I don't want a box inside the tank takeing up what little room there is.

So I am going to notch the back of the tank and silicone a overflow box to the back of the tank that is drilled for 3/4" bulkheads.

Steve