[SerLunchbox]

Well, after MUCH reading and information gathering i have decided to take the plunge into the wonderful word of marine tanks.

So here is the plan that i have so far. Currently i have 3 filteration systems on my 50 gallon (an ehiem 2213, an emperor 270 and a marineland Magnum HOT 250 w/ biowheel attatchment).

My light is a PC coralife lunarlight w/ 1-96W 10,000K, 1-96W actinic and 2-2/3 blue LED moonlights. My heater is a Won Brother Pro Heat II titanium heater.

So no matter how much reading i have done there are a few pieces that seem to be a needed thing. They would be a protein skimmer, Hydrometer and then the salts and other un stuff.

So, these parts will be gotten slowly as the cash comes in (saving for a wedding kinda hinders it all)

I guess some things i have questions about (because of confusion on my behalf) would be would i need a UV sterilizer? Also, would i need a calcium reactor and what exactly is its purpose?

My plan is to start the marine switch over within the next month or so. I plan on letting everything cure and mature (LR, dead sand/crushed coral) for about 2-3 months. Only adding in a cleanup crew/shrimp after 6 weeks or so (or once my numbers have stablized).

I plan on starting out with dead sand and cycling that for a few weeks and then adding in about 75-80 lbs of live rock (unsure of what type as of yet). The possibilityof using an RO unit is somewhat appealing to me, but i do not want to get rid of the hardness in my water (plus i do NOT like to add water additives like those required if i did use RO water).

I am still on the fence between my skimmer choices. I don't have the room to setup a SUMP so it will have to be a HOB skimmer. Also, swiching my media around in my filters will be another concern for me. If it was possible to make one of my filters a DIY refugium then that would be awesome (was thinking about doing that for the emperor. Take off the bio wheel and go from there.)

I do not want to rush into ANYTHING and will be starting with easy corals and adjusting what i can possibly grow with the light that i currently have. I have read much in this forum so far and just find the information to be excellent, a real wealth of knowledge. Although it all hits me really fast and hard at times (or so it seems.)

Thank you all in advance for any assistance, advice or help that you can provide me with.