Quote Originally Posted by quackquack
After doing alot of research and deciding on FW/SW, I decided to build a reef tank progressively slow, starting off with a fish with live rock. I have a 105 gal reef tank that was built in a home. A few questions I have.
Great questions, below is my experince/suggestions:

1. I am assuming I would prefer a more coarse grade for a DSB or a fine bed with less thickness. (LFS recommendation is reef grade)
You will get LOTS of varying opinions on DSBs! I have used sugar sized (0.2 - 1.2mm) and hated it! Takes forever to wash out the dust, and it gets scattered with any decent flow in your tank. I am currently using a 6" DSB of "Special Grade Reef Sand" (1 - 1.7mm) and am much happier with this size. Whatever size you use, I recommend at least a 4" DSB.

2. Several LFS recommended to start off with limestone as a baserock (cut costs). Can you share your experience?
DON'T USE LIMESTONE! It is far more dense than LR and will not help your tank. In fact, some report that it actualy depresses PH levels.

3. Also if limestone is not a good base, I'm in Houston, so are their any good places to get porous rock (for SW) out here?
You can pick up "Dead Rock" (dried calacarious rock) at some LFS, or order it on line - do a Gogle search for "Reef Bones". You usualy find this for $1-$2/lb. Don't use too much "Dead" rock! Remember, you are adding needed bacteria with LR and the dead rock needs to come back to life over time. I would keep base rock down to 25% or less of your total rock.

4. Since I'm going to take about 6-8 months with soft corals, do I have to start off with MH's?
You lights will be one of your largest investments. If you start with PCs, VHO, or T5s you will need Actinics and Daylights - probably trashing the Daylights when you add MHs. This could be significant "wasted" cost? You could get the number of flourescents you need later for actinics with your future MHs, and run 1/2 of them as daylights for now, replacing the daylight bulbs with more actinics when you add the MHs. Overall, you will be better off planning your final light configuration now, if you can afford it now.

5. I don't have alot of cabinet space (about 24x48x16) in my cabinet next to my sump (Oceanic Trickle Filter 75 /approx. 20gal tank). So are there skimmers that can fit the restrictions that I have?
There are lots of smaller skimers that should fir this space. I don't have much experience except wih the Berlin/Turbo, and I think there are better/cheaper choices.

Good luck!!!

Oh, and WELCOME TO MAAST!!