New setup/new to the hobby

[Tooboot]

I have a few lenses on the way, not enough for all but will test them with a few. I thought that if I didn't have any lenses I the light would be spread out, and the lenses would focus the light better.
And as of yesterday I got some Red Sea coral pro salt mix (along with a Hanna calcium checker and red sea marine test kit)
Thanks for the advice, keep it coming as I welcome different views

[Tooboot]

Also forgot to mention that with the LEDs I'll be hooking up some auto dimming feature for 4 channels of lights, this should help controll intensity of the lights (along with the aquascaping that provides some shady areas). I will be looking for a par meter before putting coral in to get a sense of the various levels, and it will help me adjust the lighting controller for various intensities based on time of the day) I wasn't sure what I was going to keep at first but am now leaning to a mixed tank (to many options can't decide), although I will be starting with some beginner coral. First fish I am considering are clown, wrasse, pinata cardinal

[babnika]

[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]having only one drain.you may want to get a strainer for your down pipe or at least some sort of cover for your overflow box. one urchin , snail or fish could impede your flow to the point you'll have your sump water on the floor & your pump run dry. if you're not ok with the noise & can't drill a second hole you may be able to get away with a 2 inch tee a reducer on one end down to 1 inch on the inflow side of your drain pipe & run a smaller hose just under one inch with a gate valve on the end where it comes out into the sump to regulate the flow to be just a tad bit less then your pumps return

[Tooboot]

Thanks, looking for a way to add a screen or some sort of filter. Not overly worried about it clogging, it's a 2" pipe so would need to be a big snail (urchin I can understand). As for overflow, it's a simple design and I bought hardware that meets the need; my return pump has an auto shut off when it goes dry, also the room in the return is fairly limited so should not cause a leak or too much of a leak, Imperiale word here being should.

I like the setup you proposed, thanks for the pics makes things clear. I am thinking for my first saltwater tank I'll live with the bit of noise (all other gear is dead silent), but depending on my success and from what I've been reading I can expect to add more tanks in the future and will give more attention to the overflow and plumbing.

I bought the tank used and the hole was already drilled and bulkhead installed (for 80$ on kijiji with custom stand I couldn't complain for a starter tank)