New 150gal build. Equipment advice?

Indeed, I have definitely been trying to spec this system to handle a large load and allow room for equipment added later. I have an RO/DI and an auto-topoff solution. I don't plan on adding a phos reactor or a kalk reactor right off the bat, but I'm planning on having extra hose barbs on my drain line to allow for these devices if/when I add them later.

I've been reading up on those vortech pumps that reefnjunkie suggested. I'm really quite interested in them now. Thank you for your suggestion reefnjunkie! They're a bit spendy but my lfs offered me a good deal on the mp20. I'm going to see what they can do for 2 of the mp40w pumps with battery backup. I would feel better knowing I had some time to solve a power issue if any ever arise(knock on wood).

 

I just got dun finishing a 120 tank today at my bosses house. I dont think u will need a mag 18 if its only purpose is a return pump. Id think a mag 12 would be just fine. A vortech mp20 is to weak for a 5 foot long tank, i put a mp40 on the 120 i finished today along with 2 non controllable tunzes. Heres a pic of the aquascape, crappy cause from camera phone but better than nothing. I also use a atb 840 cone skimmer on it, i believe u can get one for 665.00 now. Awesome set and forget skimmer, very consistent...set and for get.

 

nice aquascaping, that'll look really good when it's covered in corals. I wasn't gonna do an mp20, I was thinking of doing two of the mp40w if I can afford it. I'm going to make that decision last I think, once I know what I've spent on everything else and I can let my pocket book make the decision on whether or not to try the vortechs.

I was planning on making my return go over the top edge of the tank with 1" PVC, then T off and drop down into the tank with locline(I decided locline would look better than PVC, even if the PVC was painted black). I'm thinking of returning to the tank in about 4 or 6 different places. I think I'm going to go with the mag 18 so I can be sure to get enough flow out of each of these nozzles so I can give certain areas spot-flow with the locline. If it turns out to be too much flow I'll T off the return and let some of it flow right back into the sump.