please help me plan a new tank

[sureone]

<span style="font-size: 12px;">I am planning a new tank. It is going to be a 36 gallon bow front corner tank. It will be a reef tank with live rock, mostly soft corals and a few fish. I want to do this right so I am taking my time planning it.</span>
<span style="font-size: 12px;">The main decisions I have to make are on lighting and filtration.</span>

<span style="font-size: 12px;">I would like to start with the filtration.</span>

<span style="font-size: 12px;">Of course there are 3 choices. The hang on power filter, a sump or a home made wet dry system like the bio-cube.</span>

<span style="font-size: 12px;">The power filter is the cheapest and I think it would do the job. I am currently running a Rena on my 30 gallon and it is doing a great job. The big drawback is the tank won’t fit in the corner.</span>

<span style="font-size: 12px;">I could section off the back comer of the tank and set up a wet dry system like the one on the bio-cube and I think it would work very well. My concern with this method is where would I put a protein skimmer?</span>

<span style="font-size: 12px;">A sump may be the best way but the question is can the tank be drilled? How do I know? And do I need this efficiency for the tank I am planning? </span>

<span style="font-size: 12px;">your thoughts and advice would be appreciated.</span>

 

[johnr2604]

I would check with the manufacturer and see if its tempered glass and where they used it if it has any. I would also set up a sump if possible. There are so many advantages to a sump although its not the cheapest route to go.

 

[liverock27]

Making your own all in one would be fun, but you would lose alot of your space in the display tank. Like John said I would go with the sump although it is not the cheapest and plumbing can be a pain in the butt. The sump will allow you to have more water and to hide all your equipment.
I am not sure about the best way to light a bow front corner tank. Are you going to have a canopy?