Hello,
I am finally going to buy the parts I need to get my 80g cube tank running. I inherited my brothers 120g tank with live rock and 3 Blue Damsels. I am going to migrate some of the rock and the nearly unkillable damsels to the 80g rimless cube. Then try to give away the 120 and remaining rock or throw a bedsheet around it and take a sledge hammer to it...

Info:

• 80 gallon rimless glass cube tank 24L X 24W X 30H (inches)
• Currently on a custom cabinet in a corner it is on wood not carpet so it is stable.
• 15 or 20 gallon (i didn't measure and I forgot... ) sump inside the cabinet.
• Fish: Currently 3 Blue Yellow tailed Damsels about 7 years old, seem unkillable
• Plans: Six Line Wrasse, Royal Gramma for sure ( wife likes the Royal Gramma ), some type of tang to help with the vegetation?

So here come my questions and please understand I am quite new to aquariums, I know some things and I do a lot of research when I know what and how to research it but please do not assume I know the basics because I do not.

1) what kind of lighting should I get if I intend to keep live rock? I'm not sure if I will do corals or not... This seems to be a good fit:IceCap 250/400

2) When I am looking for a pump, how many GPM do I need for this type of tank? Any suggestions for a quieter pump? the tank is in the TV room...

3) I would like to put a protein skimmer in, it looks like I am supposed to put it in the sump tank but I haven't a clue how or what to buy for that.

4) Filtration. The left side of the sump looks like I should use the balls with the filter medium in it or something... again not sure here.

5) I would like to use a tank heater that I don't need to mess with a lot. It definitely needs to be adjusted since I live in Minnesota, the temp changes a lot between the seasons.

6) I have no idea how to setup the water flow with the glass wall overflow and the 2 bulkheads. This site seemed to have some good advice: DIY Plumbing

This should at least get the conversation started. I'll post pictures and video as I work on it. Thank you. I look forward to your helpful advice.

Pics below from my gallery:
The 80g new tank:


glass wall overflow


holes for bulkheads underneath


the sump



the bulkheads
1.75" and 1.25" (measured inside diameter with calipers)


last and certainly least, the inherited 120g tank...nasty... embarrassed to even post these but I wanted you to (hopefully) see the live rock in there.

Do you have a basement? 120 could make a great sump with lots of extra space for pumps ect. and more water vol. Or a room behind the tank? You are very limited on space 24 x 24? Fish live-rock only? The setup will change drasticly if you want corals in the future, lighting and filtration so it is best to decide now instead of paying later.

I do have a basement, but I'm limited on space, which is why I am migrating it to a smaller tank with some upgraded devices to decrease maintenance. I do plan on only doing fish and live rock.
Thanks for the reply!