125g build end goal: LPS, macros & softies

[HKesinger]

Hey! first post ever on R2R
Origin story: I bought a complete 125g with I think it's a 40g sump. It's pretty bare bones, enough to run FOWLR. Rock was already live and filled with brittle stars & snails. Even some palythoas. The rocks were kept in a brute can, no light just a powerhead and heater for a month. It's been set up since May.
As for equipment, it's pretty bare minimum lol.
jebao-8000 return, hydor heater, 2 powerheads (1 no name, 1 jebao)
I've only got 2 chromis, peppermint shrimp and a purple firefish in there right now.
before I start adding more stock (which I'm still kind of wracking my brain on) I want to add some equipment and upgrade others.
What's good these days but not too devastating on the bank account? It's been a few years and I know this hobby is always evolving.
Looking for recs on: skimmer, UV & wave makers.
Still debating on lights. Heavily leaning on 3 viparspectras though, if anyone has recommendations for lights for no more than $700 to light the whole tank let me know! I'm open to an led/t5 options too.
Here's pic of my tank, with a random fluval light lol.
I'm looking forward to hearing people's recommendations!

 

[HKesinger]

I don’t have much to post ATM but here’s a shot of when I picked up my 125. I think I got a decent deal for around $600
I’ve been planning on upgrading my soft plumbing to PVC. Going to go all out with aesthetically pleasing plumbing with the purple pvc and grey fittings from BRS. If anyone has a better source for colorful pvc let me know!

 

[HKesinger]

Update: I haven’t posted much on my 125 since I haven’t been able to do much to it but I finally added a skimmer to my sump a Wyoming white to the family and this weekend I’ll be adding some chaeto to my fuge. Little things here and there. My focus this month is to work under the tank. I want to add an ATO next then I think I’ll be done with the sump. Everything has been smooth though. Tank has been up for 6 months and I’m 99% free of hair algae that I’ve been just manually removing. Hoping the skimmer will help with prevention, still dialing in the water level. it was a marketplace buy, so it’s already been broken in.

 

[HKesinger]

Quick update while I sit here with my sleeping kiddos.
Still battling a lot of ugliness but I’ve whittled my problem down to GHA and a little bryopsis.
I still manually pull some out and change my filter socks daily. I also run a HOB with just a filter sponge to catch floaters that my emeralds and hermits rip up.
I dosed FluxRx today and plan on a WC in 2 weeks. Keeping an eye on parameters and will be dosing as needed so things don’t bottom out on me.