new / used tank. need suggestions

[SCASHM01]

Hello all!  So here's the deal.  After sitting on a 150 GAL glass tank for a while now, I am finally getting around to setting it up.  It came with a fluval 403 that I really think I'm going to retire.  It was operational when I got it, but think new will be better.  So there's my first quandary.  Do you guys think 2 to 3 AC110s will suffice?  Or is canister the only way to go?  It being glass, I don't think sump is an option.  And I've never delt with one.  But do know a lot of people prefer them. 

Next, I was planning on using PFS for a sand bottom and natural rock formations for caves, etc.  I have a whole bunch of coral rock that I'm thinking about using, but again, you guys are the experts, so that is my next question.  Yay or nay on coral rock? 

To answer one of the most important questions, my goal is to do Fronts and others that will complement them.

I appreciate your opinions and look forward to posting some progress pics!  My 3 year old is excited for fishies too!

[kodyboy]

I would think 2 ac110s and a small powerhead for water movement (a hydor koralia or something similiar that has more volume rather than a direct line) and good water changes should work well. Canisters and sumps are great but hobs can work well too. I would start with juveniles rather than adults.
I like pfs and natural rock for decor myself and with a dark background it will look great.
As far as tank mates go lelupi look good with fronts as long as they cant be easily eaten.

[Malawifish]

I prefer sump systems, high turn over rate, easily cleaned, hides all of the mecanicals of the tank heater and it can double as a safe zone for stressed fish. As far as the crushed coral, there are other ways to buff your water to get the added ph balance, you can use sechem salts for ph buffering or use holy rock to help. It all depends on how you want your tank to look.

[Regalblue]

When I did fronts in my 135 I used two Hydro V pro sponges & one AC110,   PFS with aragonite mixed in & various rocks laid about to break up sight lines.

[SCASHM01]

I like the Idea of those pro v sponges.  And I think I'm looking at getting an API XP4 xp xl.  What do you guys think ?

[kodyboy]

I like poret foam jetlifter sponge filters better but hyrdo sponge filters are good too.  I have has filstar xp canisters...good filters. Swisstropical sells the poret foam filters.
I agree that a good sump is the best way to go if you are comfortable with one.

[mightieskeeper]

I love my sump and would never go back to any other filtration for a large tank.  It is easy to change for future modifications.

[SCASHM01]

I like poret foam jetlifter sponge filters better but hyrdo sponge filters are good too.  I have has filstar xp canisters...good filters. Swisstropical sells the poret foam filters.
I agree that a good sump is the best way to go if you are comfortable with one.

I guess my big thing is cost versus knowledge of sumps, which I am not

[kodyboy]

You could do a sump for under $200, naybe less if you have some equipment already.  The big consideration for a sump with a non-drilled glass tank is a good overflow box.  I like lifereef overflows but they are pricey.  I can help you get a sump together if you are interested.  A well designed sump really is the best filtration IMO.
I get the impression that would rather not do a sump and keep the costs down. 
I would get two emporer 400s ($95), a pair of hydor sponge pro 5s ($20) and a fusion 700 air pump to run them ($18).  Put some fine bubble airstones in the sponge filters and you would have good filtration for your 150 at around $140 from kensfish.com.

[SCASHM01]

You could do a sump for under $200, naybe less if you have some equipment already.  The big consideration for a sump with a non-drilled glass tank is a good overflow box.  I like lifereef overflows but they are pricey.  I can help you get a sump together if you are interested.  A well designed sump really is the best filtration IMO.
I get the impression that would rather not do a sump and keep the costs down. 
I would get two emporer 400s ($95), a pair of hydor sponge pro 5s ($20) and a fusion 700 air pump to run them ($18).  Put some fine bubble airstones in the sponge filters and you would have good filtration for your 150 at around $140 from kensfish.com.

I guess my response was a little muddy.  Sorry.  I am mainly concerned about never having / dealing with a sump set up.  I have been trying to really fill my brain with how to vids and what-not.  I guess my main issue is wanting the best possible option for this set-up, but that in itself is a difficult task! 

As far as cost, I am already looking at $160 (ish) for that API Filstar, plus sponges, plus......so I'm looking at a couple hundos for it anyways. 

ARG!  My main problem is I am in a technical field for my career.   Which means I immerse myself in the technical crap for weeks before I make decisions!  I guess there can be worse things, right?   

[kodyboy]

If you want the best filter a sump really does work better.  It adds water volume to the set-up, provides a lot more space for biological/chemical media and takes the heaters and most other things out of the display. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJtE6JlD7Xg
this is a pretty good video on how to set up a cheap one.  People use all sorts of things for biological filtration, plastic scrubies, lava rock, bio-balls, foam (I like poret foam), etc.  Put some floss on top of biological media that you can easily change as needed and it and it works fine.  You can glue in glass baffles and use a filter sock as your pre-filter instead of floss if you like.
You want the biggest sump possible in case the power goes out and the water drains back into it.  This is important to avoid overflowing the sump.
A good overflow and a good pump plus some tubing/PVC and you are set for a sump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuATL4bBgFs
here is another sump video
http://www.kensfish.com/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-filters/eshopps-overflow-box-pf-800.html
this looks like a decent overflow
http://www.kensfish.com/aquarium-supplies/water-pumps/tamm-rio-plus-3100-pump-power-head.html
I use these rio pumps all the time and have had good luck with them.  I also have used mags, eheims and quiet ones and all have worked well. 
A sump is basically an overflow that goes to a water container (often an aquarium, but it could be a plastic container) goes over biological and or chemical media and is returned by a pump. 
For a large display tank or a bunch of aquariums plumbed together sumps work great. 
Keep in mind that most of my tanks and I think most of the tanks others on this forum have are filtered by sponge filters which work perfectly fine too, but are rather unsightly in a display tank if not hidden well.

[SCASHM01]

If you want the best filter a sump really does work better.  It adds water volume to the set-up, provides a lot more space for biological/chemical media and takes the heaters and most other things out of the display. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJtE6JlD7Xg
this is a pretty good video on how to set up a cheap one.  People use all sorts of things for biological filtration, plastic scrubies, lava rock, bio-balls, foam (I like poret foam), etc.  Put some floss on top of biological media that you can easily change as needed and it and it works fine.  You can glue in glass baffles and use a filter sock as your pre-filter instead of floss if you like.
You want the biggest sump possible in case the power goes out and the water drains back into it.  This is important to avoid overflowing the sump.
A good overflow and a good pump plus some tubing/PVC and you are set for a sump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuATL4bBgFs
here is another sump video
http://www.kensfish.com/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-filters/eshopps-overflow-box-pf-800.html
this looks like a decent overflow
http://www.kensfish.com/aquarium-supplies/water-pumps/tamm-rio-plus-3100-pump-power-head.html
I use these rio pumps all the time and have had good luck with them.  I also have used mags, eheims and quiet ones and all have worked well. 
A sump is basically an overflow that goes to a water container (often an aquarium, but it could be a plastic container) goes over biological and or chemical media and is returned by a pump. 
For a large display tank or a bunch of aquariums plumbed together sumps work great. 
Keep in mind that most of my tanks and I think most of the tanks others on this forum have are filtered by sponge filters which work perfectly fine too, but are rather unsightly in a display tank if not hidden well.

Thanks for the info!  I will get to reading!

[kodyboy]

no problem.  I am more than happy to help.