New Aquarium advice

[msmith619]

I am back into salt water after a several year hiatus. Looking for input and advice.
I bought a used 75 gallon reef-ready aquarium that uses an in-tank overflow to a 25 gallon wet/dry filter underneath. This is my first aquarium with a sump and so here are my questions:
1. Is a wet/dry filter a good choice or, should I turn it into a refugarium?
2. Lighting- I plan to keep some bubbletip anemones and soft corals. I am looking at the following light for $120. Is it adequate? at this price am I buying a problem fixture, should I go with T5's instead? I need something affordable.

Fish , AQUARIUM LIGHT 48" REEF ODYSSEA 260WT POWER
"NEW FOR 2009''
NOW WITH 8-LEDS (4-DUALS)
MOST CURRENT MODEL AVAILABLE
UNITS ALSO HAVE 3 CORDS SO YOU CAN PUT A TIMER ON FOR DAY AND NIGHT REEFS!
Modern sleek design, black as in picture.
Approx Dimensions are: @ 48" long, 8" wide, 2 3/4" tall very sleek and compact. Fits standard pin bulb for easy replacements. We stock those too.
These units have two cooling fans on top for optimal performance, mounting legs, 8-Blue Moon LED lights (4 duals) and 3 power cords for timer use.
Comes with 4 - 65 Watt bulbs - (2) 12,000K daylight and (2) 03 true actinic. We include all bulbs for free!
1-pair of flippable light legs to mount the light directly over your existing aquarium.
Bluemoon LED lights to simulate reef conditions, a must!
Light bulbs covered with acrylic shield.
Reflectors for more refraction
3 on and off switches- 1 for daylights, 1 for actinics, and 1 for moonlights.

3. How important is a protien skimmer? I never had one before and never had problems.
4. I found some very nice looking ceramic rock on another posting here on MAAST- http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat....php?cPath=146 I love the look but am wondering how to get the tank seeded with colorfull coraline algie if I only start with ceramic rock and live sand. I guess I could buy a couple small pieces of colorfull live rock to "seed" the tank.
5. Salt brands. Many years ago I used Instant Ocean. Just before I got out of salt water, about 8 years ago, I tried and liked Red Sea salt. Is one brand better for soft corals and anemones?
6. Test kits. I used to use just a hydrometer and never had problems, with twice monthly water changes, growing anemones and soft corals before. Should I buy a test kit for salinity, calcium levels, etc?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[Gilbert]

I am back into salt water after a several year hiatus. Looking for input and advice.
I bought a used 75 gallon reef-ready aquarium that uses an in-tank overflow to a 25 gallon wet/dry filter underneath. This is my first aquarium with a sump and so here are my questions:
1. Is a wet/dry filter a good choice or, should I turn it into a refugarium?
i have a wet/dry myself, but alot of people here have fuges.
2. Lighting- I plan to keep some bubbletip anemones and soft corals. I am looking at the following light for $120. Is it adequate? at this price am I buying a problem fixture, should I go with T5's instead? I need something affordable.
As far as lighting i haven't heard much about PC's most newbie are getting T5s or MHs and unless you find a good deal here on Maast i dont think you'll find one for that price.

3. How important is a protien skimmer? I never had one before and never had problems.
i would say its very important specailly for a tank that size, but there are people on here that have fuges with on skimmers.
4. I found some very nice looking ceramic rock on another posting here on MAAST- http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat....php?cPath=146 I love the look but am wondering how to get the tank seeded with colorfull coraline algie if I only start with ceramic rock and live sand. I guess I could buy a couple small pieces of colorfull live rock to "seed" the tank.
I would think that the LIVE SAND would be enough to seed the tank but you could also buy some rubble rock.
5. Salt brands. Many years ago I used Instant Ocean. Just before I got out of salt water, about 8 years ago, I tried and liked Red Sea salt. Is one brand better for soft corals and anemones?
i use red sea pro but it really doesnt matter to me most people all have their own favs. lots of people have already asked this question.
6. Test kits. I used to use just a hydrometer and never had problems, with twice monthly water changes, growing anemones and soft corals before. Should I buy a test kit for salinity, calcium levels, etc?
if all your doing is softies i won't have to worry about cal, but scorpino did stablize his cal levels and said that his zoas just started growing like crazy.

Any input is greatly appreciated.
im no pro but hoopefully i helped. maybe someone with a little more knowledge will chim in to help.

[gjuarez]

If you plan on going with anemones I would go with a stronger light. That light should be more trhan enough to keep any softy