How much Live Sand / What Skimmer & What Pump?

[Beausoleiljacob]

Hi Reef Central,
I almost ready to start up my tank. My rock is currently curing and now Im looking at sands, I was thinking the ocean direct brand original grade sand. My tank is a 24x24 60 gallon cube. How many pounds of sand would you recommend? Nevertheless, I'm also not sure what skimmer to buy, I think I like the Aqua Maxx Brand the best, but what is your opinion? My skimmer area of my Refugium 100 Sump (eshoppes) is 8x11.5. Thirdly, what return pump should I buy for my tank? I want 10x + Correct? What is the best option? Fourthly, I have NO idea what I want for lighting. I don't know if I want to save up to get a radion XR30 Pro or something or just get a cheaper light for now to save some money like the (Ocean Revive or MR120 LED) Both less than 150. Lastly, for circulation pumps, I was looking at the vortechs. Should I get an MP10 or an MP40? I want a Mixed reef tank! Thanks! :wavehand:

 

[thegrun]

For your tank it will take about 28 pounds for every inch of sand you want. I like a 2" sand bed so you would need 56 pounds if that what you want. I like Carib Sea Special Reef Grade sand, it is heavy enough so that it does not get blown around too much.
When I had a 50 cube (24" x 24" x20") I used an Eheim 1260 Return Pump (635 GPH) 65 watts, a great reliable pump. You most likely would only need around 300 gph through the sump with the rest of your flow via powerheads unless you have a very large sump.
For what it is worth I'm running an AquaMaxx CO-2 on my 120 gallon tank now, best skimmer I have ever owned.
I used a Aqua Illuminations Hydra 52 over my 50 cube, if you don't plan on keeping high demand corals like SPS and clams a regular Hydra would be fine, but for SPS the Hydra 52 is a better light.
Two MP-10's would be great for powerheads, I think the MP-40's would have too much flow and since they can only be reduced to 30% of flow you would have very little variation in flow available with the MP-40's, making MP-10's a better choice.

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

For your tank it will take about 28 pounds for every inch of sand you want. I like a 2" sand bed so you would need 56 pounds if that what you want. I like Carib Sea Special Reef Grade sand, it is heavy enough so that it does not get blown around too much.
When I had a 50 cube (24" x 24" x20") I used an Eheim 1260 Return Pump (635 GPH) 65 watts, a great reliable pump. You most likely would only need around 300 gph through the sump with the rest of your flow via powerheads unless you have a very large sump.
For what it is worth I'm running an AquaMaxx CO-2 on my 120 gallon tank now, best skimmer I have ever owned.
I used a Aqua Illuminations Hydra 52 over my 50 cube, if you don't plan on keeping high demand corals like SPS and clams a regular Hydra would be fine, but for SPS the Hydra 52 is a better light.
Two MP-10's would be great for powerheads, I think the MP-40's would have too much flow and since they can only be reduced to 30% of flow you would have very little variation in flow available with the MP-40's, making MP-10's a better choice.

Thank you that was exactly everything I was looking for! Anyways, for an ATO what would you recommend I was looking at the Hydor ATO but not sure what pump.