55 G reef-in-progress!

I'm starting a 55g drilled reef tank.
I started with a 55g all-glass drilled tank w/ overflow that i bought at my LFS. The stand is just some cheapo with double cabinets that i got from walmart. I cut a triangular hole in the top of it(solid top) for the drain and return lines.

My filtration consists of a approx. 10g wet/dry by sealife systems and a protein skimmer rated for 75g by the same company. The return pump is a magdrive 700gph. The heating is a viaaqua 300w titanium rod heater in the sump. The return nozzles from the sump are really pretty powerful and there are 2 of them so they create decent water flow...i'm debating whether or not to get a powerhead and put it on the oposite side of the tank.
Just today i bought the lighting fixture. My plan was for a 4-bulb TEK with actinics but upon visiting my LFS they had a Sunpod HQI MH fixture with moonlights for 400 bucks because it was on a dry display tank and they had lost the box! It has two 150w 14000k MH lamps and 3 sets of 6 LED moonlights(9 blue 9 white). I researched this system and saw that the msrp was really around 650 bucks so i just went ahead and got it after making sure it worked and nothing was missing. Its on the tank now and beautiful beyond what i was hoping! Heres a pic:


I'm loving the lights so far they are super bright and i love the shimmer. The pics don't really do them justice!
The next step is i need to start cycling. I think that ill cycle with The LS thats already in there and ill buy some LR. After the cycle is complete and i have the necessary specs ill start with some easy fish maybe a tomato clown and some simple corals like zoas and an anenome. My hopes are high for my tank and any advice would be great!

 

it will just cycle all over again when you add live rock, might as well add it now and get it over at once.

 

you got a nice overflow

 

whats up with the blue part in the filter?

also make sure you rinse those bioballs in saltwater every 2 weeks to prevent large nitrate spikes

 

I have a 55 gallon long reef tank that i set-up about 3 months ago. Not to offend you or anything, but in my honest opinion, I believe it to be the worst dimensions for an aquarium. It is far too skinny which doesnt allow for many options with aquascaping. However, I have gotten around these areas and am soo happy with my aquascaping. It is just really difficult to do.

On another note, your have amazing specs on your tank and filtration. You shall create a brilliant environment for your fishees. Keep the pics coming.
GREAT!@

 

Lighting is AWESOME! love it

 

I too have a 55 gal. reef and the dimension do suck, but it's workable. Nice lighting. Looking good.

 

The blue part of the filter was just some filter floss i put in there to quiet the pump but has since been removed because it was starting to get sucked up. And yea i do wish it was a little deeper :S but i think i'll manage.
So Stoudt:i think i'm going to remove the bioballs anway after the LR. Thanks everyone!

 

might i suggest removing the glass lid you have on there. It is crucial that there is gas exchange available and with that top on, it prevents all gas exchange. Other than that, its looking amazing. Keep up the good work.

 

K+ to gas exchange. Very essential part. Do not need to necessairly remove the lid but increases oxygen concentrations within the tank.