aquarium question

Question
QUESTION: Hi, you answered a question for me the other day and this is sort of a follow up question.  I am starting a 26 gallon saltwater reef tank.  I have no live stock at this time. I want to have it properly set up first, however I would eventually like to have a few small fish, some soft coral (xenia), and an anemone. So far I have purchased 26g bow front tank and a 24" T5 HO 6 x 24 lunar reef Light with 3- actinic bulbs and 3- 10k sunlight bulbs. Also I got 2 Koralia 1 pump powerheads 400g.  I was told I also need a protein skimmer and a filter to complete my set up.  I heard that to save money I could purchase the Red Sea Deluxe protein skimmer and fill the removable media basket with live rock or filtering media and use this as my filter as well.  Would this work for my tank so I can avoid buying both the skimmer and the filter?  Is there anything else I need?  Originally it was recommended to me to go with the Eheim 2213 canister filter and the CPR Bakpak 2R skimmer  but if I can save money and just buy the red sea prism deluxe skimmer and also use it as a filter wouldn't that be a better wat to go?

Thanks
Dannielle

ANSWER: Hi Dannielle

For this tank, I would go bare bottom, i.e. no sand or other substrate.  Eventually the glass bottom will get covered in a nice purple coralline algae.

Your lighting is very good and I commend you for getting this as it gives you nearly 150 watts of top quality light.  With regards to bulb placement, I would blue then white then blue then white and follow this pattern as it will give you an even spread of light.  

I would place the two Koralia on opposite ends of the tank with one facing horizontally across the tank and the other facing the front.  This will give you good flow.

You do not need a filter, just live rock,  I would go for about 30 lbs to 50 lbs.  Instead of the Red Sea Protein skimmer, I would go for a DELTEC MCE 300 Protein Skimmer.  I use one of these and it is extremely reliable and is one of the best small skimmers on the market.

For your fish list, I would go for the following

2x True percula clown fish (buy two tiny juveniles)
1x bicolour blenny
1x Firefish

Also, remember that you should not but an anemone until your tank has been setup for at least six months.

Hope this helps.  Please get back to me if you have any more questions

Cheers

Michael

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the great advice!  Would you be able to suggest a couple alternative HOB skimmers?  I don't really want to skimp on my tank but the Deltec may be out of my price range.

Thanks
Dannielle

Answer
Hi Danielle

No problem.

See the following:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~protein_skimmers_aquac_nano

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~category~Deltec_External_Protein_Skimmer_

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~action~view~idProduct~CR1111~idCategory~F

These are the three best that I can think of.  However, I would definitely recommend the DELTEC.   

Cheers

Michael