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Get a Euro-Reef skimmer, 2-3 tunze streams, 3x400 w halides(250's will work OK, but 400's would be best). You may or may not need a chiller. 75 gallon sump/fuge, and custom build your stand to get it up to about 3.5-4 ft. A mag 12 will be a good pump probably. Also I would like to reccomend you just get a 180, as they have better dimensions. I know most people would prefer to lose the 4 inches in height for 6 more inches in width, plus you get 30 more gallons of water with roughly the same dimensions.

I am going to get a 150 gallon (72x18x28).

I would suggest a 180 gallon....better dimensions IMO (72x24x24)

Get a Euro-Reef skimmer, 2-3 tunze streams, 3x400 w halides(250's will work OK, but 400's would be best). You may or may not need a chiller. 75 gallon sump/fuge, and custom build your stand to get it up to about 3.5-4 ft. A mag 12 will be a good pump probably.

Euro-reef skimmers are good, but you can get the same skimmer for cheaper just by getting an ASM skimmer. There are other skimmers out there that work well also....I love my lifereef skimmer. I would skip the tunze streams, and have the back of the tank drilled and use a closed loop system for the majority of your circulation. Closed loop will be cheaper than the streams, and it is easy to hide and customize. I would also go with 250 watt halides if you want to have it ready to go for corals later down the road. 400 watters IMO are overkill if you are not going to have an SPS dominated tank. They also use more electricity, produce more heat, and are more expensive. Even with the 250 watt MH you will most likely need a chiller unless you have A/C in your house and are willing to use it to keep the temps down. In the winter my 180 stays right at 82. In the summer (with no house A/C) I have to run my chiller or the tank will climb to 89.

I must agree with DRO, as the 180 has a much better footprint for fish, and/or corals. Be sure to get one pre-drilled with built in overflows. Though these are not nessicary, you will be glad you got them in the end.

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