Getting back in. Any tips on setup?

[wakeboarder2342]

Been out of the hobby for quite a few years and I think I want to get back in. I have a nice spot in a cabinet in my office that I want to use. I'm thinking the following setup so far but could use recommendations as quite a bit has changed and new stuff has come out in the past 6-8 years since I had a tank.

budget for equipment is around 5k.


tank 110 gallon 48x18x30 is what fits in the space the best. Any recommendations on a brand? I was looking at fishtanksdirect but that's more because I don't know where to look!

Lighting I was thinking the Hydra52 LED? I was thinking I probably need two of them for a 48" tank?

I have basically a 2x2x2 cabinet underneath that I can use for a sump/equipment. need a sump recommendation as well as return pump and skimmer.

was thinking the apex controller?


Any other equipment recommendations? I will be keeping a mixed reef probably mostly soft corals but would possibly get back into clams/sps

I have a lot of experience but as I said its been a few years.

Any help is appreciated to save me some hours of researching the newest stuff!

[jda]

Basic Berlin, real live from from Pacific, 2-3" of sand, good skimmer, Laguna/Fluval return pump and T5s would be my choice.

I don't see a need for any controller, but Apex is good if you want one.

Other than some nice test kids like Hannah Ultra Low Phosphate and ICP testing, there is nothing new to the hobby since you got out that are complete game changers or necessary whatsoever... a lot of reboots of the same old things that are different, but not always better.

Any reputable company should be able to handle that tank... nothing tough there. Just find a company that you are comfortable with and will drill/overflow it the way that you want.

[HippieSmell]

If you want plug and play, Red Sea Reefers look nice to me.