Choosing a tank 35 gal or more

[betiuminside]

Hello,
I am in the process to buy a tank again. I used to have a 100 gal tank. Which it was sold when I had to move out.
Like everything else I have a budget and I know bigger is always better. But for me, bigger represents $$$. ( bigger lighting, bigger filtration, etc.)
So I was thinking to get something around 35 gal tank. But here's my dilemma...
I would like something that has LED. I would like something that would have like a RR back part of the tank.
If I get a Nano Cube or Bio Cube, there's no space for a good HOB skimmer, correct?
If I get a Red Sea, there is space and as far as I know, it comes with a skimmer, but is it a good skimmer? And the main problem is that they are expensive! and they don't have LED.
I just finished reading a post about a finnex tank! and that tank looked awesome until I started to read that his lights (t5) blew off, then his skimmer was not performing and he had to buy another one... Cbianco Threat.
Is there another type of tank brand that has...
LED is a must 3w if possible?
Has the RR portion and Refugium like the Finnex? Something I can skim the surface with out an overflow box.
Space for the Protein skimmer ( the best I can afford); or a brand that actually has or comes with a good skimmer?
Space to put some media like carbon, etc?

A lot of questions! I am sorry... but maybe there's something out there that would cover what I would like...

[FireWater]

I think it was my Finnex thread that turned you off that tank. The over all design of that tank was great. I just had to replace everything that ran on the darn thing.

Ecoxotic had a nice all in one cube that Louis had at his shop for a while. I am not sure if they are building it anymore though. Also try Cadlights - just stay away from their cabinets. Teeb has experience on that.

Does it have to be an all in one?

My experience with all in ones has been spending more money to replace the cheap stuff they add in vs spending the money up front for quality parts that I pick out.

[betiuminside]

John,

Thank you for your quick response! I will look into the brands you recommended me! And because of your experience and doing research and reading threats after threats I am thinking I will be buying everything separately!
If you were me? What type of tank would you buy that will have that RR idea or more like back part of the tank, skimming surface, space for refugium, skimmer space, etc?
If I buy X/y/z tank... how easy or complicated would be to do this my self? or have someone do it for me? Has it been done? ( I really don't know how to call the RR black part of the tank where all this can be accommodated... the right technical word for it.)

[alton]

I am trying to figure out cheap and LED in the same post? Cheap 40 gallon breeder $40, buy black plexi-glass and section off the back part for filter, fuge, skimmer compartment? Another $40 for that, build your own stand $80 or buy one at LFS for $130. Louis at Elegant reef is carrying the Sol Nanos which do not require a controller x 2. So I had you around $250 up until the part we brought the LEDs into the picture which bumped up our price to around $950. The only other choice is to stay small like a 16" x 16" cube and 1 Sol Nano

Here is a link to my 40 where you can see how I sectioned off only a 4" x 8" section for filtration

http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?...40-Gallon-Nano

[FireWater]

Alton is pretty close to being realistic.

If I had to set one up today I would I would do a 24" x 24" tank put a full length overflow and drill tank on bottom. I would run an external sump with an elevated fuge. I would do it this way so that I can double my water volume as well as have a larger display. This will also allow you to run what ever parts you want and they will be hidden in the cabinet. Again, this is just my opinion.