New build, need hardware advice!

well the way I'd like my scape to be is about 50lbs all on one side, that way There's plenty of room to swim. I'd like to be able to put some decent sized fish in there. enough sand for a 2" spread on the bottom. I'll draw up something.

 

REAL LIFE SUPER SKIMMER EXPERIENCE:

I have a 65 on a 19g system that has been producing Black Death type skimmate for LITERALLY 9 years.

I put a 65 on a 55g system I built for a friend with LPS and softies that is pretty heavily stocked, it's been up for close to 5 years same story.

I also put a 125 on a 40b SPS tank for my uncle and it works great for 3 years now

Last but not least, I run a 125 on my clownfish breeding system, does a great job as well

 

EDIT: sorry I forgot that you are using a sump. So my HOB experience doesn't matter

 

My corallife worked better as a hob than in sump. But that's cause my sump didn't have baffles to keep a constant water level.
But if u can afford the reef octopus than that's a better option to go with.

 

well. I don't have to do a sump. and after talking with a friend of mine, drilling a used tank doesn't seem like the best idea in the world. So I now need a HOB skimmer

 

Don't set up a 90 gal without a sump.
Don't listen to your friend about not drilling a used tank.

Go with a gl@ss-holes overflow kit.
Go with a SC Aquariums SCA-302 skimmer.
(go to ebay to buy new and save $)

OR
Lose interest in 6 months and sell everything when you can't keep the algae out of your salt water tank because you're running it like a fresh water tank and are tired of throwing money on the fire to try and put out the flames.

 

I would look to add about 2400 GPH more flow (35x tank volume) for what you are looking to house. Ideally, the more powerheads the better (random flow), but you may be able to get away with one more power-head and then a solid return line (or two) for flow.

 

Drill baby drill! It will look so much sleeker and add so much value to your tank. No heater, skimmer, HOB fuge etc. taking away from the display.

 

I hadn't thought about a return pump ideas?

 

after you buy a 1500 GPH Gl@ss-Holes complete overflow kit and two 3/4" return kits, figure\guess how many feet of headloss you'll have and buy a pump you can afford rated between 500-1000gph after the headloss you've figured.