K so lets go down the list now.
List:
sump - how many gallons, and what should be kept in this?? (im gonna do more research on this) AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AFFORD/FIT
powerhead - is this necessary?? and should I get a strong one or an average?? ITS ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE, SO HAVING 2 SMALL-MEDIUM ONES IS BETTER THAN 1 BIG ONE
filter - is this necessary?? NO, IT CAN BE A GOOD PLACE TO PUT CHEMICAL FILTRATION MEDIA IN THOUGH
light - should i go for MH ?? or something regular and upgrade later (i know this depends on what im getting, but im not to sure yet) YOUR CHOICE, MH OR T5, THEY ARE BOTH GOOD, EACH WITH THEIR OWN PROS AND CONS
heater - self-explanatory. VISI-THERM IS WHAT I USE
return pump for sump - k ill have to research on this...is this the whole open-closed thing.?? IF WATER GOES DOWN INTO THE SUMP, HOW IS IT GOING TO GET BACK UP? WITH A PUMP
drilled overflow or overflow box (drilled would be better) - When i order the tank i can get it drilled is that fine? YES, PRE-DRILLED TANKS ARE SOMETIMES CALLED REEF READY TANKS
if drilled bulkheads - got it
Salt - Any reccomendations?? I USE REEF CRYSTALS, THEY ALL DO THE JOB
Master Test Kit - self-explanatory. AMMONIA, PH, KH, NITRITE, NITRATE ARE THE BASICS, THEN CALCIUM IF YOU HAVE A REEF TANK AND PHOSPHATE TESTS ARE ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE ON HAND
Specific gravity meter - Refractometer is where i'll invest. TRY TO GET A GOOD ONE, NOT SOME CHEAPO EBAY ONE OR HOW SKI SAYS IT, A CHINESE SLAVE MADE ONE.
Optional:
Skimmer - have to do more research on this. TAKE YOUR TIME
Wave-maker - isnt this like a powerhead?? NO, THESE TURN THE POWERHEADS ON AND OFF OR CHANGE THE FLOW OF THE POWERHEAD TO HIGH FLOW AND THEN TO LOW FLOW, THIS CREATES WAVE PATTERNS
Light timer - self-explanatory.
Corals - ye getting LPS, SPS, SOFTIES, OR MIXED REEF?
Fish - yup
Live rock - course (are there different types or LR?) YES THERE ARE, FIJI, CARIBBEAN, TONGA, AQUACULTURED. IF YOU ARE IN THE US YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER AQUACULTURED ROCK FROM PLACES LIKE TAMPA BAY SALTWATER OR SEALIFE INC TO GET YOUR ROCK SINCE ITS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND THEY DONT NEED TO FOLLOW BASIC LIVE ROCK LAWS IN THE US. THE CON TO THESE ROCKS IS THAT THEY ARE GENERALLY MORE DENSE THAN FIJI ROCK.
Any other live stock - prob
RO/DI unit - I have a RO unit but I'm thinking on getting a better one which can support 20 gallons of water at once w/o running out. I DONT REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN BY RUNNING OUT....
K thx guys ... time to do my research