ah well the ideal rate of water flow is to turn over that water at least 10 times per hour. There are a couple options available to you.
Circulate with powerheads although this does not allow you to add mechancial filtration during cleaning (not really needed although I do it)
Circulate with powerheads and your canster which would allow you to add mechanical filtration when needed, or carbon when needed.
Build a sump which is the best option. Most of us use this and it houese all your equipment such as your skimmer, heater, and return pump.
I wouldnt use bio balls let your live rock do the work.
As for the skimmer Im not a expert as I made the mistake and bought a seaclone and it works ok but if I had the option to do it again I would have put out the dollars and bought something better.
Dont forget to cycle your tank as well before adding any fish. Just add the live rock and wait till your ammonia, nitrates and nitrites spike and then go down before adding anything to the tank. Even then I would add snails before fish.
I would definitly recomend going for sand over crushed coral. It allows for the disposal of Nitrites. As for play sand I dont know that I would recomend it as I dont believe it performs the same function as Carbsea sand.
I Believe most of the information above is correct and Im sure if its not other people on this board will correct it as well as add to it.
Josh
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