Pimp my tank

[Thalan]

I have a 180g sitting empty, it'll be awhile before I actually set it up but I'm trying to get some of the planning done now.
So heres what I've got:
180g (6x2x2) acrylic with two 2" bulkheads
Broken Wet/Dry box (I have spare acrylic to fix if necessary)
thats it.
Stock (so far) will be 2 Bluegill, a Sun Cat, and a Pterygoplichthys Pardalis. Will probably add some more natives later as I collect them. Most likely more Sunfish or a smaller Bullhead.
So I have a blank slate here. I'm open to all filter suggestions and since I don't have a stand I can build one to suit whatever. So should I stick with the W/D or go canister? Or both? I'm leaning towards the Fx5 but those are running $200 or more so if theres another option that gives me more bang for my buck I'm all for it.
What's a good lighting set up for a 6' tank? Wont be planting it most likely so I'm really just looking for something easy that will work for the size.
So toss out some ideas, or experience with different filters so I can start budgeting for this.

 

[Thalan]

Heres some pics to show you what I'm working with.
You can see where the front pane is busted here. The pipng is 2" on here as well.

And heres a shot of one of the bulkheads. Theres another one in the other top corner, and you can see theres a big lip around the top to HOB filters are out of the question.

 

[kjfan1]

Awaiting genius thought.

 

[dawnmarie]

Hmmm....
How about building a stand that incorporates a built in sump/refugium ?
Mostly built from plywood except the front panel of the sump/refugium.

 

[xXMUFASAXx]

sounds good to me

 

[Thalan]

Hmmm....
How about building a stand that incorporates a built in sump/refugium ?
Mostly built from plywood except the front panel of the sump/refugium.

So essentially building a second tank into the stand? I hadn't really considered refugiums yet. I assume the plumbing would be nearly identical to a wet dry, just using plants instead of scrubbies?
Thats definitely an option, I would then need two lights though I assume,,,, This bears research.

 

[dawnmarie]

Something to think about .
Refugium, sump, whatever
I have been kicking the idea around for awhile.