Help deciding on a ~50gal system

Some of you may read that I am about to setup a 50 gal frag/reef (20 long MT, 20gal fuge, 20gal sump) tank.

All of us know that this is can be a very expensive hobby, and that's the reason why I have trouble deciding if I should setup another tank.

One reason I want to setup this system is because I can get lights for it cheaper than if I were to get the same WPG for my 125. Second reason is I can sell the corals for store credits or money, so I can save up to upgrade my 125. I did the math and this system will cost me about $300...

20gal long x 2 - $50
20 tub (fuge) - $4
seaclone 150 - $50
195w PC retro - $140
Rio 2100 pump - $40
+other things

I have the sump, fuge, pump, and heater already, so I will really be spending about $220 on this system.

But I don't know how long it would take the corals (mainly fast grow rate soft corals) to grow so I can upgrade.

Plus, there are gonna be more work. So, what would you guys do? Is it worth setting up another tank? Or I will be able to trade enough corals for my light in no time?

Thanks!
GKW

 

Well in my opinion...if you have a good reason to start another tank do it ^^...but if your worried about having to wait...maybe attatch the frag tank to ur 125. That way you have a more gallons so its more balanced and you wont really have a cycle

 

i myself think that would work but if your fraging and sps or any sensitive corals i would over skimming like none other water and lights are you main worries also if its soft corals i would say your going to get credit and alot of work and fraging and MONEY in lights PC are OK but you need more watts in my mind PM me if you need anything else or more questions.

 

Is PC that bad for SPS? It's 195 watts over 20 gallon long (12"x12"x30"), that's about 9.75 WPG w/o LR. I know WPG is not accurate at all, but I would think ~10 WPG would allow me to keep some SPS, right?

I will mainly be doing soft corals and I have heard Montipora Digitata are a fast growing SPS. Is that right? Would also like to have Blue Tipped Acropora also, but everything else will be soft corals. Will the Montipora Digitata and Blue Tipped Acropora able to "thrive" in this setup?

Thanks!