Planning New Set-Up would Love some opinions

Hey there, so I am currently in the planning stage of my first ever salt water reef tank, and I would love some opinions on the equipment that I have chose and everything. Just to let you know I have planned everything out with my budget in mind, so I cant go crazy and buy some outrageously expensive things. I know there are certain things I should not skimp out on, such as lighting and a skimmer. I have done research for the last week, looking at reviews, videos and all that, and I have had many freshwater tanks in the past.

So my plan is to have a 45-55 gallon tank with the dimensions similar to 48x18x12. So I am wanting a longer/shallower tank than usual.
Plan to use my old 10 gallon tank as a sump to place underneath my tank. In the sump it will contain, a section for bio=balls, carbon. Also I will put my skimmer here.

Here is a list of the equipment that I was looking to get. If you have any other suggestions about other brands or models that I should look at for around the same price please let me know.

IN SUMP:
Protein Skimmer: Coralife Super Protein Skimmer 65 - $115
Danner Mag Drive 350 Water Pump (return pump form sump) $70
Jager 200 watt heater - $30
Bio balls and carbon pad -$30-$40

IN TANK
Hydor Koralia evolution powerhead 750 GPH - $40
CPR C- Siphon Aquarium Overflow 300 GPH - $110
Fiji Live rock
H2Ocean Pro Plus Salt

Lights:
This is where I dont want to skimp out on pricing, I know proper lighting is essential for a good coral reef. I was looking into metal halide, but the heat factor threw me off, and I dont want to buy a chiller. So I got looking into LED lights. Came across this one, reasonably priced as well.

Marine Land Reef Bright LED - $300

Extra:
RO/DI 7 Stage Purifier - $120

All together I am looking at spending around 1000-1200 on my set up.
After doing research I think I have covered everything I need, that is why i am here to try and get advice from some experts. Thank you very much.

 

dont use bio balls, we use refugiums now..

for lighting, not sure about those fixtures.. if your looking for leds..i would look at maybe orphex, evolution, or AR.. i have seen all these fixtures in person and are super super bright..

i would also shy away from that skimmer too...i would suggest a reef octopus, bubble magnus, aqua c

 

also ive heard alot of people say that they dont like their 55 gallons.. supposedly they are really hard to aquascape since theyre so skinny and long...

i would maybe suggest a 40 breeder, i just upgraded to one and love it, its a really nice cube size, with plenty of room for a nice aquascape...and the 40 breeder is only gonna require one led fixture instead of two for a 48" tank..

 

but everything else you have listed looks good...things are gonna change as you go, your gonna come across stuff and change your mind a little, but that looks like a good outline..

 

Ya I have heard the same about these longer tanks. I did have my heart set on having a long and shallow tank kid of like this one:
YouTube - The Shallow Reef Tank (part 9)

But as a beginner I should start out with something a bit easier.
And thank you for you opinion on the Bio - balls and the skimmer, I just hope I have enough room for a refugium. I was actually looking into Reef Octopus 4" Pinwheel Skimmer, saw some great reviews on it.

 

thats a great skimmer... i like 40 breeders over 55s, but i like cube tanks... also i sent u a pm about an led fixture being sold on my local forum if your interested about it..

 

Welcome to 3reef,

I would either try to buy a better skimmer, than a Coralife, right off the get go, or save the money and get a decent skimmer after the tank has been running.

 

if your going for a reef then you should get a skimmer double the size of your tank. so if you want a 55 gallon tank get at least a 110 gph skimmer.

as for what you said about metal halide. thats not all true about heat issue. I run mh I have 2 250 watts w pc lighting and led. I also have glass lids and my tank never gets above 78.7 degrees. No chiller either. I like mh better than led.

 

Welcome to 3reef, good list with the suggested changes will do you well. I agree with Saints on the LED also.

 

Thank you for the input, I just have my heart set on LED lights, but I do know halides are the way to go.
And ya I decided to go for something like the Reef Octopus 4" pinwheel Skimmer.
But I can hold off on the skimmer right? I really dont need it until my tank has done cycling, and I put in livestock. And for my cycling, what do I need? Some live rock and just run the tank through the sump and refugium?