[jiminy_crime]

Returning to saltwater tanks after a 2 year hiatus and need some advice on equipment.

My first and last saltwater tank I had was a 55 gal. glass tank for beginners. Had a 100 gal. protein skimmer (forgot brand), 50lbs. of Fiji LR, and had a canister filter (again forget what brand). Lighting was 4 lamp VHO (Icecap) that I built into a homeade hood. This ran successful for 2 years before my life took some unexpected turns and had to go away for awhile.

I tell you all my past info so you will know kind of what I had and to let you know that this is not what I want to do with the next tand I start up. I would like the next tank to have a better form of filtration, possibly a wet-dry filter (sump setup) and to have a much more asthetically pleasing tank. Don't really care to get into doing much building on this one like I did in the past. So here are my questions:

-What is a nice pre-drilled acrylic tank (brand) and what is a rough estimate on the cost? Do not wish to do a tank that is over 55 gal. Might even look at a 46g bow front or something along those lines.

-What is an ideal lighting setup for LR/hardy soft coral tank? I would like this to be something that would be reef ready lighting when I choose to progress back to the more light-sensitive corals, I will be ready to roll.

-Protein skimmer (brand)? Cost of one? Heater(Ebo-Jager 250watt underwater is in the closet)? Water pumps (brand)?

-Sump? This is unfamiliar territory for me so if this is something you all feel is beyond me for just coming back then what other suggestions do you have? Is this necessary for something around the 40 to 60g range? Is there better filtration now?

Just any advice anyone can give me that will get me going back in the direction I am looking to move would be most appreciated. Been away awhile so any refreshers on stuff I might be forgetting is welcome too.