[goldenmean]

So a friend of mine gave me this tank(see pic below). She has several freshwater tanks but has always been inimidated by saltwater. So loves my little nano so she decided to give me this tank

First off I know the difficulties of aquascaping a tank with 48" x 12" x 20" dimensions. I have decided to accept this challenge.

Second the bioballs in the sump are gone as is the under gravel filter. The bioballs actually make great cat toys. They love em!

I have had the tank for about a month now and Have been thinking of all the equipment i will need.

RO/DI system is first.
With the nano I did not mind going to the LFS once a month to get RO/DI water but I do not want to lug water for this tank. From doing research i have decided to call the Filter Guys and let them hook me up with the system that best fits my needs. I do want to have a drinking system for the RO water and I have heard that the Filter guys are the best. $200-250

Skimmer
My LFS suggested a CPR-SR2 which of course they sell. I found that skimmer about $50 cheaper online but in researching this model It seems that as far as skimmers go they are not that efficient - just adequate.
Doing some more research on RS and other sites it seems that the Aqua C remora is quite popular so I looked into the Acua C Urchin. I was also looking into the Octopus NW 150. Then I measured the inside of my sump and realized I had serious size limitations and I can forget about the Urchin and the Octopus.
I thought about buying a new sump but if I was going to do that I would just go to my LFS and buy a different tank with a built in sump for not much more than just a new sump would cost. Then I discovered the Tunze DOC Protein Skimmer 9005 which has a small footprint, is of good quality and effieciency. So with the in-sump attachment it will run me $300.

Lights
I was thinking about: Current USA PowerCompact Orbit Fixtures but decided that I wanted to be able to keep clams and sps so I was looking into T5s. The Current USA Nova Extreme Fixtures were interesting but they only have one reflector instead of individual reflectors for each bulb. I did find some other T5 fixtures with the individual reflectors but by then I had pretty much just go right out and get MH. The Current USA Outer Orbit is too big. 15 inches wide to only 12 inches of my tank. Currently I am leaning to the 48in Current USA SunPod 2x150W 14K HQI-MH w/ 18 Lunar Lights. Or should I go with the 2 x 250 W version? The SunPod only has theHQI-MH and the lunar lights. There are no Actinic lights. I know I do not have to have actinic lights but I am concerned with how my reef will look with out them. Let me know what you think.
Sunpod 2 x 150W - $500
Sunpod 2 x 250W- $619

Pumps
Return and in tank needed. I haven't done much research yet.
Would love your suggestions.
With everything else I need to buy for this tank I cannot presently afford a tunze system.
That will have to be a future upgrade.

Stand
I haven't done much research in this area either.
The tank is going into the dining room which opens into the living room. I have considered buying a console that matches the coffee table, media center, and end table in the living room. The sump could go on the lower shelf. The draw back to this is that the lower shelf area is completely open I will probably go with a regular tank stand.

Living Rock
MY LFS has Fiji premium for $5.99/lbs if I buy over 40 lbs.
I know I could probably get it cheaper online but they I cannot hand pick it myself.
I am considering macrorocks.com. This rock is not LIVE but then I would buy less live rock from the LFS to seed the macro rock. 25# fiji and 25# tonga shelf rock would run me $155 plus shipping Then I would buy about 20# LR. I realize I would have to give this more time but I am patient.
Still I will probably buy from my LFS(s) so I can hand pick my LR 50-60lbs = $300-350.

I have also been considering The reef rack that I found on ReeferMadness.com which is a shelving system for your LR. This may be helpful in dealing with my tank size limitations in aquascaping. I could not find anything else on the web about this product. Anyone know anything about it? It doesnt cost much so I may give it a try.

I still have more planning to do.
Please let me know what you think
I would appreciate any and all advice.
Thanks for reading all this

I do know one thing. This hobby is not cheap!