here is the basic design that is most common there will be changes and even as i look at the drawing i know what i want to change.
hardest and scariest parts will be cutting the glass for overflow... yes i could just cut a chunk out but that would be too easy. if i break the glass well that will make it easier ill just get it pre cut and replace. all in all this build is to see how far i can go with as much do it yourself as i can. i may even build my own skimmer. im also going to keep track of all costs so i know how much it costs me in the end. and how much it should cost a new person to start in the hobby, with a basic tank and a small amount of research.
im also not thinking of doing a sand bed but instead a rock bed. i want to smash live and dry rock and lay the rubble on the bottom of the tank. i have seen bare bottom and various sand bottom but not a live rock bottom. maybe make it a complete zoa or green star polyp bottom after growth. still undecided. time will tell.