Gifted a non-drilled 100 - cheapo setup ideas?

[Blorton]

I've got a used 100 coming that I'm looking to setup as a cheapie experiment. Since this tank is not drilled and I'm not quite ready to try drilling my own, I was thinking of setting this up as cheaply as possible for grins.

So I'm thinking an external skimmer with the intake inside a diy overflow box with a smattering of powerheads on a (gasp) dsb. Lighting would be from overdriving cheapie shop lights.

I'm open to suggestions on the inhabitants. I could go reef only or perhaps very light fish load.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dan

[Geoff]

the cheapest thing to do is build yourself a HOB skimmer. you will not need an overflow. the skimmers pump will hang in the tank and supply water to the skimmer. the discharge will then drain back into the tank.

you can save even more money by not using a DSB. you can save even more money by using concrete, oyster shells, and sand to build your own LR.

theoretically i can suggest things that will get you a full blow reef tank for less than $500. you may not like the look, but i can suggest alternatives.

G~