I'm planning a new reef tank, i need your help.

[Midway]

I'm planning to set up my first reef tank, so I've understood I need some things in order:

1.- Tank and base (I'm thinking a 100 gal. tank)
2.- Sand (Cancun sand /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif)
3.- RO/DI Water and enough aquarium salt mix to get a 1.027 density.
4.- 150# to 200# of Live Rock.
5.- Holes drilled on the tank OR pipes and a pump to drain water to a protein skimmer (Q1.- What's best?)
6.- A Protein Skimmer in direct line of the plumbing from the holes/pipe-and-pump (Q2.- Do I need a pump on the skimmer? before or after? may I let the water flow to the skimmer just by simple gravity force?)
7.- A sump (rubbermaid or any other "brand") to put 2 or 3 heaters at a rate of 3w/gal. (all of them of course)
8.- A return pump to get the sump "clean" water returned to the tank. (Am I right?)

And how do I clean the tank??? I've seen my boss cleaning the sand on his tank by creating a sand storm into the tank (of course his tank is fish-only tank with a single lionfish)
He has a mud-filter Do I have to put one too??

Sorry for the long post...
I'll be waiting your replys...

Thanks hearthly....
Master Midway

[tendar]

Lets see

1. 100 gall tank sounds good.
2. Sand the cancun sand I am guess will be right off the beach or some thing. I dont know how good of a idea that is if that is what your looking at since you dont know what you might be getting in it. If it is bag then never mind it should be fine.
3. A RO/DI is a good choice. YOur salinity should be 1.025-1.026 though
4. Lbs of live rock really depends on the type of rock you get since some is lighter than others and what your looking for in aquascaping. I usally start with 1 lb per gallon then go from there.
5.A drilled the tank with 1 or 2 overflows is the best way to go.
6.Most protien skimmers just in the sump with thier own pumps to feed them. The water that drians from the tank usally just goes straight into the sump.
7. About anything that can hold water will work for a sump. It really comes down to how elaberate of a sump you want. 2 heaters is good.
8.Yes you will need a return pump from the sump. The size will depend on what the overflow you use are rated for.

As towards the cleaning of the tank will kind of depend on how the it is setup. If you go with a deep sand bed then your clean up crew will take care of most it. Just have good flow through out the tank and every thing should end up in your skimmer or sump and just clean them up. If you go with a shallow sand bed then you can clean it sum but still a good clean up crew should take care of most of that.
Mud filters are a option but not used a lot most.

[Midway]

Tendar: You say "cleaning crew"... What's that??

[tendar]

Clean up crew is snails, crabs and star fish that help keep the tank clean of dertris and algea build up.

[oakley]

i would suggest any one starting a new reef tank to visit garf.org they have alot of info and products to start you off right. I have ordered much and have recieved everything alive and healthy. and garf is a research foundation, money recieved goes to helping the wild reefs. they grow their own critters(they are born in captivity therfore will do better in a tank than a wild specimen)I know this sounds like an advertisment but i think they could help

[tendar]

Reeftopia is also a good place for getting snails and such.