Gruve Wants To Know - Reef Setup Odds and Ends

[gruve]

Hi all, I've been researching saltwater aquariums for about 2 weeks straight now in hopes of getting launched in this awesome hobbie. I'm going to post a few of these "Gruve Wants To Know" posts in hopes of getting good info on the various systems involved in keeping a nice reef setup.
I've got a pretty big technical and science background so I do want to do this right in that I'll be able to experiment with different varieties of verts/inverts, corals, clams, anemones, etc. I don't necessarily need to be able to host ALL species, but keeping a good range would be ideal.
So On To...
--Gruve Wants To Know -- Reef Setup Odds and Ends --
This might be a real no brainer for you experts out there, but its the little details that nobody writes about and everyone assumes you already know that make it hard for us beginners to get going.
So I've written a couple of posts already about Lighting and Filtration. I mentioned there that I was interested in doing a 75 to 90 gallon setup. The earlier posts seem to be the two big factors in doing a good reef setup, but there are a few other things that sort of linger unanswered:
Air systems - I said in my filtration post that I was pretty interested in doing a sump filtration. I know the water movement is going to aerate the water, but adding things like stones, air pumps etc are a big question mark. I'd love for someone to be able to just get down what goes into an air system for a reef setup. Also, what are some of the products or brands to look for for the best value/quality?
Powerheads, water pumps, water flow - water circulation and currents in the tank are a big deal I know, but what exactly goes into it? I know water gets pumped around creating currents, but how many pumps are used? how many gallons per hour is the recommended flow? What are all the parts of the system, and of course what are good products/brands to look for to get the best value/quality?
The Aquarium - Glass or acrylic? where to get one for the best price? This was the first thing that popped into my head when first reading up on getting a tank before I was totally BOMBARDED with tons of info on everything else that goes into this hobby. I think by this point I want a Glass tank, I heard acrylic scratches easily and turns yellow. I've heard of people building glass aquariums pretty easily - anyone done or recommend doing this? Whats a reasonable price for a 75-90 gal tank?
The sump - I think I asked this in my last post, but seriously.. what do people use for the sump tank? and if you use a sump, do you still get that nice relaxing aquarium "trickle" sound.
What else is there? Light, Filtration, aeration, water circulation, actual tank..?
man I'd really love some feedback from you guys
---- Keep an Eye Out for other "Gruve Wants To Know" posts as I try to get the info I need to get a nice setup going and get the most for my money.... Lord knows all us beginners are asking ourselves the same things

 

[birdy]

1. Air systems- in a saltwater aquarium the water is oxygenated by a couple things, the first big one is a protein skimmer, they use air mixed with water to produce the bubbles and foam, in my new tank I am actually going to run the airline to my skimmer outside to pull the good outside air into the tank (this will help with pH level also). Powerheads also help by keeping movement in the water, usually one has at least one powerhead rippling the surface exposing the water to O2, Also a sump system is very efficent at oxygenating your tank, by moving the water through the sump exposing it to the air. Air pumps and stones are not needed or wanted in a saltwater aquarium.
2. It is recommended to turn your tank water over 25X an hour, this is accomplished through the sump and circulation, I prefer a closed loop system to power heads (one pump taking water out of tank and putting it directly back in through multiple outputs). If you are going to use powerheads look for ones with wide flow like the SEIO pumps or TUNZE (if you have $$).
You also want random chaotic flow, not straight line flow, so you need to direct the flow into the rocks or have timers or wavemakers for powerheads, I will be using a closed loop with a oceansmotions unit on my new tank.
3. Sump- I prefer for a normal reef aquarium as large of a sump as you can, and you also want a refugium (basically a natural filter using live rock and macro algea to remove nitrates and phosphates from the system) to be a part or connected to the sump. In general a sump is an area for the skimmer and heaters, some people include the refugium right into the sump. Lots of DIY stuff out there on sumps.
and don't worry your tank will make plenty of water noises (probably more than you want).