new 20 gal reef

[littleyea1]

ok so I got caught up in buying another tank because I'm addicted.. I made this beatuiful stand only wanted a 20 gallon because of space... wanted to know what everyone thought in their own way was the best setup as in products for skimming light and flow... I found 250 wat 14000k metal hylide on the internet for 150 new.. was thinking of buying a skimmer but don't knwo what type... was wondering if i should bother with a sand bed... or if i should just leave it a bare bottom... suggestions suggestions? should i hook up an overflow with a 10 gal refugium underneath... i have all the time in the world and well a prettyd ecent bank role so i can manage with higher price suggestions.. also what should I do to cycle it.. and I want to start off right this time with corraline algea growth so if your a scientist I would like to know what I should be doing right off the bat... thnak you very much everyone if you answer to this...

 

[Bifferwine]

What size tank are you thinking of putting the 250w MH over?

As for a sand bed, do you plan on having burrowing animals (nassarius snails, gobies, cucumbers, etc)? If no, then you don't really need a sandbed (although I think sand looks a lot better than bare bottom). If you do go with a sandbed, stick with a shallow one, like an inch or two.