Building 72 gal bowfront ... want to make a reef tank

[hudel]

Building 72 gal bowfront ... want to make a reef tank however I have read lots of conflicting info so I don't know whether to shot or go blind. In particular some say a canister is great and other say no stinking canister... I was think a can + a skimmer (hang on back) and no sump.
I have a just built a great stand out of heavy duty hardwoods, with a naple and walnut canopy (no lights yet). I had invested in a Rena xP4 canister...and 50 pounds of live sand and salt. Think I'll get two 150 watt heaters...:question:

 

[freshreef]

go with 2lbs of live rock to 1 gallion of water in the tank also go with a good skimmer you dont need a canister filter as you will have a skimmer

 

[Bifferwine]

Can I choose none of the above? I say protein skimmer + live rock.

 

[yote]

Forget the canister and invest in plenty of live rock and good skimmer.That coupled with enough flow is all your really need.

 

[daugherty]

skimmer and lots of rock

 

[daugherty]

a GOOD SKIMMMER

 

[ndepratt]

drill it + great skimmer

 

[hudel]

[FONT=&quot]I got the Coralife Super 125 working within 15 minutes out the box (after assembling all the parts, another 15 minutes).[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
The foam adjustment knob is easy to adjust. I have a new 72 gal bow front. The Coralife Super 125 has the same pump as the Super 220 so it’s got lots of power. I have setup as HOB and it’s about $100 less than the ASM G2 and seems very well built...certainly much better than the SeaClone. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Also I am using a Rena xP4 to "polish" the water. I also circulates the water because it’s a real (quiet) work horse. And it also setup easy as advertised, seems to be a really great device.[/FONT]

 

[cthegame]

lots of live rock and a good skimmer.

 

[d2mini]

I don't know if anyone has said it yet, but live rock and a good skimmer... no canister. :mrgreen:

 

[WarmSoda]

Good Skimmer and a lot of Live Rock (Hehe...)

Also, if your hard pressed for money, return the canister (or sell it) and get yourself a sump/fuge, you will not regret it. The extra water volume will do a good deal for the tank, and I feel it would be a waste of room in that wonderful looking stand if you didn't.