new tank

Hello all,
As I wait to see what the outcome becomes of the NFL football salary cap agreement and whether or not it will help my Minnesota Vikings($24million under the cap, I may add) I decided to buy a 155gallon bow tank for alittle over $500.00, and sell my 75 gal reef tank.
Now I have a few questions to ask, hopefully someone either has this tank or has researched this better than me.
1)Is it better to have a 155gal bow tank with the predrilled holes and overflow valves etc. to set up a sump pump below or to save some money, just set up an outside skimmer and cannister underneath with a refugium?
2)How much lighting would be required for my 155gal.? I have basically hardy corals whether it be sps or lps and a few octocorals and mushrooms and stars and zoos. Only one Acro, so as far as very strong light is considered, it isn't crucial. Can I get away with just 3(175) watt mh or should I jump up to 250's- also could I forgo the power compacts taht go with them and just have mh's and save money?
thanks

 

1) in my opinion, if you have the opportunity to have your tank drilled...do it. in the long run the tank will look cleaner and you can store all of your equipment in the sump. with a tank that size (as with any tank) the added water volume using a sump will allow for a more stable environment. just make sure your holes are the proper size in comparison to what pump you will be using for the return.
2)also i would definately go mh, you won't be disappointed. i don't know the dimensions of the tank so i can't give an opinion of watt wattage to use. i would skip the pc's but if you do want some type of actinic supplementation or a dawn/dusk effect, shoot for t-5's. the light output of t-5's using individual reflectors (one per bulb) will be more beneficial to the corals, and if you went this route i could see just using the 175's. there are a few nice fixtures out there that incorporate mh's and t-5's (aquamedic, sunlight supply, giesemann). hth.

 

Thanks Jonathan!! I was looking at the Coralife light hood. I like the Sunlight Supply one also. Hamilton is very expensive as well as Geissmann.