you have to break it down for me alittle better. alot of what your saying doesnt make sense to me. i need a detailed breakdown. remember i am just getting started. its all new to me.

do all protein skimmers come with pumps. which one is a good one to get?

sumps are not a necesity at all....but more so a choice and a style of filtration that works well especially in a reef environment...........other than choice ...one of the biggest benifiets of a sump is you simply don't see any of the stuff.....it's all hidden undernieth in the cabinet..........

there are very good canister filters that are hidden as well....there are very good HOB {hang on back } style filters as well - -

with good water movement your live rock will be great biological filtration - - in which case a couple good HOB filters will be great for mechanical filtration...........does you skimmer hang on the tank? if so thats fine too....

personally I think you need more live rock in there unless your doing a FOWLR tank {fish only with live rock} as oposed to a reef {in a reef you'll want 1-2 pounds of rock per gallon} as the filtration requirements in a reef system are much more critacal.........

As far as UV sterilzers go....I don't have one and have read that they can do more damage than good on a new tank.....but when the tank is mature and the light is sized correctly they are incredable....I would push for the chiller if you need one ....before spending the cash on a uv light....just my opinion......

Welcome back to the hobby my friend!!!!!!, Snowboss

PS....i just reread your post and i wanted to add......"expensive" doesn't mean good in any way shape or form ....there a really costly pieces of crap out there and pretty cheap bullet proof systems as well . . . . I am NOT saying your aquael filter will be crap at all im just stateing the fact that lots of money doesn't always mean good stuff...you know? - - shop around there are good deals and good equipment out there .....and if your happy with your present brand and it does what you want it too....well then its a good deal ...lol

boss thnks for the time and advise appreciate it. your right on the expensive part . expensive doesnt always mean better . but i lv to research and i lv the brand aquael they are poland brand name and i trust them the down side is in kuwait their products are expensive . another brand name i lv and previously owned on my grave tank RIP was the aquac remora skimmer. like i said some time brand names are guaranteed and last plus quality and have spare parts... like fluval for example.

so as for sump vs filter .it wont be novice of me just to plug in a mechanical filter.filter it is . and yes i have the skimmer hanging in the back and the filter tucked in the cabinet . i am a neat person :)

finaly no it wont be a fowlr tank it will hopefully be home to corals and reefs and fish and shrimps and snails and i have to have a lion fish as well there has to be a king there to keep things in natures way .keep the fish in line. hopefully not eat anything ..i read there bad for the corals but in a shop i go to it swims peacfully so will say ...any way looooong way to go before that ever happens but its nice to dream ...thanks boss

Wow alot of money just to get a sump under the tank. A small company out of California Call TRU-VUE Makes Over flow boxes that are fail proof, work on glass or acrillic and does not need to be primed when the power goes out. check them out . a lot less hassel and money. They also make awsome refugium sump filters. Its what I use in my systems. Over flow boxes are a dream for saltwater tanks think about it before you go crazy.

The Seaman