Ordered up some parts.

I placed an order with Marine Depot and Drs. Foster and Smith for some equipment. (I found better prices and availability on each site depending on item.)

- AquaMedic Turboflotor 1000 Multi Protein Skimmer
- Mag-Drive Supreme 12 Pump
- Foam Pre-Filter for Pump
- Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Filter
- Replacement Cartridges for Filter
- CPR CS102 Overflow

... and some various plumbing parts I can't get at the hardware store.

I still can't get in touch with anyone at Aquactinics about the lights. This is puting some serious doubts in my mind about buying their product if they can't even answer the phone or return a call withing 48 hours.

Sump

The filtration I have isn't right for my application in my opinion. It's too small for a skimmer to fit in and I want to have a deep sand bed (DSB) with some macro algae (probably a Caulerpa.)

Upon pricing new sumps, I was amazed at the cost so I was looking into building one. Melevsreef.com seemed to cover the topic most thoroughly.

I made some phone calls and found that acrylic was going to cost me about $270 for a 4'x8' sheet. Then I'd need tools and materials. The sump is starting to be a bigger undertaking than I anticipated.

On a routine trip to PetSmart, I decided to see if they have any smaller aquariums I could retrofit. I was overjoyed to see a 30 gallon tank that was narrow enough to fit. I am now the proud owner of a glass, 30 gallon (30"l x 12"w x 18"h) Aquarium made by All-Glass. It's sold under their Top Fin brand with a hood and NO light fixture. I figured that light would be good for the algae I plan to grow. I've got some aquarium silicone adhesive and I'll get some pieces of glass cut to size by my local glass shop. They'll smooth and polish the sides for me too.

Lighting

Thanks to the Grim Reefer on reefcentral.com. His info and help on the T5 Q&A thread have been invaluable. I've decided on a fixture from Aquactrinics. Still torn between the 'Solar Flare' or the Tx5. I've tried calling the company all day to talk about their products but all I get is voice mail. Hmm...

Wow lighting is expensive!

I started researching lighting and I realize now it is a subject full of debate. I won't argue the pro's and con's here but I decided T5 lighting would be best. I'm posting questions to reefcentral.com and still deciding which make/model to get.

Let's Do It!

After much reading and research, I finally decided to convert my 72 Gallon bow front to a mini-reef. I've been keeping freshwater off and on for about 15 years and a little saltwater. If it's one thing I've learned it's that only bad things happen quickly for the aquarist.

Taking an inventory of my current equipment, I have:
- Tank
- Stand
- 48", 2x40w normal output (NO) fluorescent fixture
- Fluval 204 canister filter
- Fluval 404 canister filter
- Mag-Drive 5 pump
- Wet-Dry Filter

The only things I'm really going to use are the tank and stand. I'll hang onto the filters for setting up a quarantine later. There's no way the NO lights can support a reef. The Mag 5 is currently the return pump for the wet-dry. I might end up using it for a closed loop system.

Time to go shopping.