congrats for taking the plunge (no pun intended…lol). Personally, I don’t like wet-dry trickle filters for reefs tanks unless you are VERY dedicated about doing your chores. As has already been mentioned, I advocate a sump on just about every reef tank. A refugium either built-in to your sump or separate would be fantastic IMO. I’m adding some links below about setting up a simple refugium.

If you go with a sump, I’d use sump-based filtration including a protein skimmer and a substrate reactor in which you can run carbon and phosphate absorbing media. Don’t skimp on your skimming! Get a quality skimmer.

With a sump, I’d want a return pump that is turning your system volume over at least 10x per hour. Make sure your return pump is matched to the pump that drives your protein skimmer.

In my 30 gallon, I also run a closed loop system for additional flow (it turns water over 40x per hour, which is great for corals that like high flow IMO). A closed loop system is easy to build using a MAG pump, and some PVC. It’s even better if you put a device such as a Oceans Motions wavemaker or even just an affordable SCWID (a non-electric wavemaker). Anyway, you can read up on closed loop systems, but it is something I would consider for your reef.

As has been mantioned above, live rock is essential IMO. Get good quality live rock (read: light with lots of surface area) and aim for forty+ pounds of it. Some folks like to also run a fludized bed filter to increase biological filtration capacity on a small tank–just thought I’d mention it.

This is exciting! Good luck, and come back if you have more questions.

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2 PCS Circulation Pump Wave Maker 1300 GPH for Aquarium Salt/Fresh Water Reef $24.44

Aqueon Coralife 05151 Power Center Dual Day Night Timer $27.95 Coralife Power Center Day/Nite & Wave Timer Dual...

Tap Water Filter $42.89 API Tap Water Filter The API Tap Water Filter is a super-strength water conditioner. The conditioner helps remove chlorine and neutralizes chloramines instantly. This filter is also great to detoxify heavy metals in tap water. The filter requires only one drop per U.S. gallon. Use when setting up a new aquarium or adding water. Features: . Safe for all aquatic life . Works instantly to detoxify he...

5-Stage Aquarium RO/DI Reefmaster System with 100 GPD Membrane and In-Line DI Filter $199.00 Paying for distilled water can get expensive, not to mention the hassle of transporting it or running out. If you own a Reef aquarium or use ultra pure water for any other reason, this system will save you time and money by allowing you to make distilled quality water when you need it! The Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane removes 95-97% of water contaminates, providing high quality water and doing mo...

Aquarium Widescreen DVD - Coral Reef, Saltwater and Freshwater Fish Tank Virtual Experience $14.95 Studio: Music Video Dist Release Date: 04/22/2008...

The New Video Aquarium $5.10 Studio: Music Video Dist Release Date: 11/30/2004...

The New Video Aquarium [VHS] $12.53 We've taken our popular "3 Hour Christmas Yule Log Fireplace" and updated it to the DVD format. Now you can play it with holiday music or if you prefer no music, just with fire sounds! Two fireplaces to choose from on this DVD. And both are looped to pl...

Reef Aquariums - Lighting and Invertibrates A comprehensive program dealing with lighting for the biosystem and care of invertibrates in a reef aquarium...

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Brightest MR11 12V 10 SMD LED Bulb Wide Angle This is our brightest MR 11 bulb. It has 10 high-powered led bulbs, which produce about a 3 watt Luxeon bulb. The light pattern is perfect for illuminating displays or even just adding accent lighting yet it is still bright enough to be used anywhere. LED bulbs are compatible with all types of magnetic transformers but not all electronic transformers. Many electronic transformers require a minimum...

Liquid Water Level Horizontal Float Switch for Aquarium $5.00 A float switch is a device used to sense the level of liquid within a tank. The switch may actuate a pump, an indicator, an alarm, or other device; Use them with hydroponics, saltwater tank, freshwater tank, gardening, aquariums for power head control, pet bowls, fish tanks, filtration, heating, pumps, ponds, basement alarms, boats, air condition drain pans, pressure washers, carpet cleaning mach,...