First marine tank, please advise on setup

[nexumia]

hello, I'm a complete newbie, and this is my first post after navigating this site for days now. (I'ts awesome). I Just bought my 175 gallon oceanic bowfront. Finished building my 41" stand. About to start the canopy. Here comes the next questions:

Substrate: I've heard of Southdown, but living in california pretty much eliminates this option. I might have to settle for the more expensive live sand from the LFS.

Live Rock: Maybe 175-200 lbs. Is there a better looking rock than fiji?

Sump: I'm planning on using an old 40 gallon tank!

Skimmer: A Euroreef rated up to 200 gallons. Don't know which one specifically. Please advise.

Lighting: Big Debate. I know that I would eventually want to keep SPS after a long while. I prefer softies, wife likes SPS. I'm thinking of getting a lighting system that I can easily upgrade down the road and not have to ditch. Can I get away with some VHO's and or T-5's then add MH after I gan experience. The Tank is 28" deep. I'm planning on using up about 4" for sand.

Canopy: I was thinking of building a foot high canopy. Is this high enough. Are there ramifications I have to consider before I start cutting wood.

Refugium: Haven't thought about it yet.

CORALS: Simple to keep, hardy, Please reccommend.

FISH: Wife wants the tank to be fish dominated. I want it reef. Is there a good compromise?

PUMPS: I don't know if I should go with submersible or external, please advise.

CHILLER: I don't think i need one at this point, our house has AC and during the summer we maintain the house at 77 degrees.

Wavemaker: Please advise of a good one.

Cleanup crew: Please advise of good package.

I know I'm missing things. I like to buy quality products so that I don't regret, however I am on a budget. PS. the budget varies depending on how good a mood wife is in.

PLEASE, PLEASE advise me and guide me in the right direction. I've kept freshwater fish all my life but this is my first foray into marine. Any advice is MUCH, MUCH appreciated. Thank you for your time and patience.

[stolen_pass]

Where do you live In SoCal?

Two things to recommend.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=50
and
http://www.exoticfish.com

2 of the best local resources. :D

[nexumia]

NOR CAL, but I make semi frequent trips down south.

[stolen_pass]

My bad I thought it said SoCal. :D

Substrate: Any Sanitized Playsand would work. I forget what type of sand Southdown is but its used because it helps keep the Ph in check.

Live Rock: Check out http://www.tampabaysaltwater.com/

Sump: Sounds good to me I have a 20 Gallon Tank on my 60.

Skimmer: EuroReef seems to be everyone's favorite skimmer so thats a good choice. I have a turboflotor and it works great for me.

Lighting: Buy it once. I picked up Power compacts which is fine for what I'm doing but after seeing some of the higher light corals and whatnot I think I shoulda saved a little longer. You'll waste less money if you get what you will need Now rather than upgrade later.

Canopy: Don't know.

Refugium: Don't have one but there are tons of resources on here on setting on up.

Cleanup Crew: www.etropicals.com. They have prebuilt packages and you can build your own. w/Free shipping over $60.

Again. READ there are tons of great resources on this site.
Some places I've been going for parts

www.bigalsonline.com
www.etropicals.com
www.marinedepot.com
http://www.hellolights.com/

[NeuroLarry]

In terms of substrate if yo can't use Southdown you can order pure aragonite sand which is very nice stuff albeit more expensive www.purearagonite.com. I would not use live sand other than to seed your substrate. Get a cup from a couple of local reefers. Or buy a few pounds from a couple of sources to increase biodiversity. No reason to buy all LS.

In terms of LR there are a number of choices depending on what you want. Marshall Island LR is fairly light and open with lots of interesting shapes. A good source is www.premiumaquatics.com. You don't need to stick with one type and could add some Kaelini LR which is essentially really nice Fiji rock. Dr Mac is a good bet but shipping might be a tad expensive going coast to coast. TBS www.TBS.com is aquacultered rock, fairly dense but has lots of life although probably not as interesting in terms of shape.

If you are thinking of doing SPS go with MH and VHO actiinics now or at least dwign your canopy to easily add MH in the future as yo will probably want them.

You can have interesting fish in a reef tank but the choices are more limited than if you did FO or FOWLR. My recommendation would be to get a second tank for the wife!

[Colecanth]

Substrate: I would not purchase live sand from your lfs. Argonite is available for about 25.00 for a 50lb bag and is the same as Southdown.

Live Rock: Maybe 175-200 lbs. Is there a better looking rock than fiji? ~ Yes many types are available, check these so Cal sites for different types and cost.

http://www.reefermadness.us/RM-LiveRock.htm

http://www.exoticfish.com/

Sump: I'm planning on using an old 40 gallon tank! ~ Should work well

Skimmer: A Euroreef rated up to 200 gallons. ES8-3+ or CS8-3+
Read up on them here: http://www.euro-reef.com

Lighting: Just go MH now and save yourself the trouble.

Canopy: Check the DIY sections of this site, but your plans for a 12" canopy sound correct.

Refugium: Haven't thought about it yet.

CORALS: Lots of info here, start reading...

I'd venture to say that your best source for information will be your local club. I would contact them and attend one of their meetings. Other than that most of the answers you seek are here already, looks like it's time for some research :D

[nexumia]

thanks, guys, I just bought my skimmer yesterday. Euroreef cs82.