48x15x17 Planning?

Ok, some of you may have seen my other threads about a JBJ 28g nanocube but out of a stroke of luck my parents may let me set up our old 60g planted tank as a SW reef (the tank actually is only 53g). The catch for them allowing me to set this tank up instead or the JBJ is that I can only get the rock, sand, and sump set up for christmas (I already have the tank, stand, and light...). About the light, Its a 4x65w (260w) CF which I am going to use but only temporarily till my birthday in July, where I will ask for a MH or LED fixture. Also, I plan on having only LPS and softies because this will be my first SW tank. I can get a protein skimmer by july but I don't think i will even have my tank cycled till march and will be VERY lightly stocked til july.

Questions:
A:What would you guys stock it with?? I like mandarins and CBB, are they reef-safe?
B: Is the lighting alright till my birthday?
C:What bulb arrangement should I use? (ie. 2 actinic, 2 10k)
D: what size aquarium should i use for the sump? )I do want a refugium in the future)
E: I only have 10inches of width in the stand, but if i cut this piece of wood going across the stand I would have 12in. It doesnt look like the piece of wood does that much for support so idk. I can put a picture of what I am talking about tommorow but is there any wierd dimensioned tanks that could fit under there?? (srry for the long post and long last question )

 

IMO, if there is something that is questionably for support, leave it. The amount of water in these tanks is unbelievably heavy. If you want a mandarin you will need a refugium and a lot of live rock. Even with these things, it is advisable to let the tank mature for about a year with no other pod eating creatures before getting one to let the populations really grow. Copperband butterflies are borderline reef safe, really depending on the specimen. Unfortunately, a 53 gallon tank is probably too small for a copperband. Butterflies need a good amount of swimming space. You could look into a pygmy angel for a centerpiece fish-there are a lot of good options. 2 actinic and 2 10k would probably be fine for leathers/polyps until your birthday. I kept them under the same light for about a year in my 90. I would look into t5's for your tank. They are cheaper and the bulbs last longer, and also, MH's might be too strong for that tank size, or just plain unnecessary. You can keep just about anything under a good t5 fixture. For the sump, go as big as possible to maximize water volume for stability.

Good luck.

 

bump

 

MH when you can. The bulbs last 9mo to 1 year. Plus you CAN not beat the shimmer look. Go slow on fish choice, once they go in, it's hard to get them out.

 

haha trust me I know. I ripped apart my 92g corner African cichlid tank to catch one fish, I was so mad. I have to re-scape in tomorrow.

 

T5 fixture would work, plus you dont have to worry with heat that MH gives off.

 

I will probaly go for the t5, just because of price and they dont get hot like you said

 

hahaha. i told u so.

 

You got some good answers already. I would personally go with T% lighting and the biggest sump i could fit.
Not sure about the stand.

 

Okay, Ill take a pic of the stand tommorow, and im planning on a 30g sump.