Just starting and could use some advice

As I stated I'm somewhat new to this hobby.I live in Las Vegas. I have a 100 gallon tank 28"Lx28"Wx30"H O.D., and the stand it sits on is 28"H. I want to have a soft coral tank with a clam an anemone and a few fish. Anyways to my problem with the refugium. The protein skimmer I want is the Reef Octopus Needle Wheel Skimmer - 6 in. - up to 150 gallons the problem is the base is 12" and all the fish tanks i find to convert into a refugium are 12" wide. The space I have under the tank for the refugium is 27"Lx27"Wx24"H. My ideal dimmensions for a tank would be 24"Lx14"Wx16"H. But i cant seem to find one and the ones at Petco do not messure what they say. So my questions are: Does anyone know where i can find a tank that size for a DIY conversion, or where can I purchase glass or acrylic for a decent price? A store in town wants 130.00 for a 1/4 4'x8' sheet of acrylic. that just seems high to me. Also what size pump should I use to pump the water back to the tank? And can I use a 24" t-8 fixture and just buy a bulb for the chaeto or should I go to Lowes and pick up a 6700 bulb and a fixture? Also what is a good overflow box to use that gets the job done but is not too expensive? I plan on having the skimmer on the right the pump in the middle and chaeto on the left with a tee off the overflow feeding the skimmer and chaeto chambers. and last but not least what kind of filter media should I use inbetween the chambers? Sorry its so long and any help is greatly appreciated thank you for your time.

 

Lot of questions in there.
Is your tank drilled? If you don't have water in it yet consider having an overflow box installed.
Check the local forum for a list of DIY suppliers including acrylic and glass.
GFO and carbon for media in the middle
Regular bulb will be fine for refugium.
What type of light fixture do you have? Anemones like light

 

reply

no my tanks not drilled, and thank you for the answers, as far as the lighting goes im looking into that right now actually getting ready to make a post on the reef lighting forum but im looking at Finnex 24" LED/T5 Combo Aluminum Light Fixture 4 x T5 + 9 x LED - AquaCave.com hoping it will be enough...thanks again