Hi All long time reader on the forums and decided to join just the other day. I have been keeping freshwater fish for over 10 years now and have decided to take the plunge and go Marine. The plan is to start very slowly with a FOWLR system and eventually move into corals. The reason being is that I ain't a millionaire unfortunately....

The forums have inspired me into taking the plunge into marine, the tank I am going to be getting is a 6FT x 30" x 30" I might only go 24" high to possibly save on lighting needs.
System Objectives: Start slowly and to keep fish and eventually corals in optimal health.
System Type: FOWLR to begin with and slowly create mixed reef.
Display System:
Strike up Date: Not for a little while yet, just started building the stand.
Display Tank: 6FT x 30" x 30" (possibly only 24" high haven't decided yet) weir on side closest the wall.
Display Lighting: More than likely 3x 250watt metal halides with 14K bulbs, 2x twin tube T5's and some sort of moonlight. Still to decide.
Stand: Custom built bar conversion. Currently consisting of 100mmx100mm hardwood beams and 90mmx42mm supports.
Hood: Custom built, haven’t decided on look 100%.
Sump: space I have for a sump is approximately 970mm x 480mm wide plenty of height available. Will talk to Dennison at Marie Anne’s in regards to design.
Refugium: From my reading it is recommended to have a Refugium built into the sump, so will look into this.
Refugium Lighting: Some type of T5 I guess.
Support systems:
System Water: I will try and use Natural salt water as much as possible but I think for water changes I may lean towards a high quality salt mix with RO water.
Display Water circulation: Not decided Yet. But will make sure I get enough water circulation to keep the water movement natural and healthy.
Return Pump: Been thinking about an Eheim Compact 5000 for main return.
Skimmer: I think I have decided on the Octopus Hurricane 2500 2X
Evaporation Top Up: Plan on setting up auto top-up controlled through RO unit with float valve.
Chemical Support:
Calcium Addition: Manual dose to begin with
Alkilinity Addition: Manual dose to begin with
Other Chemical Maintenance: Manual dose to begin with
Current Water Chemistry: If applicable
Nitrates:will add when ready
Phosphates:will add when ready
Alkalinity:will add when ready
Calcium:will add when ready
Salinity / Specific Gravity:will add when ready
Magnesuim:will add when ready
Images:
Current Malawi African setup I have, this tank has been up and running for just over 3 years now. It is a 4ft x 24" x 28" high tank and is filtered by a Fluval FX5 (main filtration) and another aquapro filter (used for PH control)

Here are 2 pics of the stand so far, definitely is overkill but better to be safe than sorry.


This is hopefully what it will end up looking like...



Thanks for looking, and will try and update as I make progress on my project. I will be working on this project slowly but will get there eventually.
Peter.