MANY Feeding/Skimmer/NEWBIE questions before going to LFS today !!!! :)

Hi AGAIN! After all the feedback I got yesterday, I am going to my LFS today and want to be fully equipped with my list of things to buy for the tank to keep everyone healthy and happy!
I found THIS skimmer on ebay: (is this OK for my 30 gallon even though it says 40 gallons to 120gallons? I only see skimmers for UP TO 20 gallons OR 40 and above...

Is this a skimmer I just plug in and go?
AquaC Remora Pro Protein Skimmer With Rio 1400 Pump
Pump Included: Rio 1400
AquaC Remora Pro w/ Rio 1400 Kit Features:

• Model # : Remora Pro Hang-On
• Tank Size (Gallons): 40–120
• Included Pump: Rio 1400 (flowrate of 420 gph)
• Skimmer Height: 21.5"
• Minimum Tank Height: 12.75"
• Minimum Overhead Clearance for Proper Function: 6.75"
• Depth: 3.25"
• Width: 7.5"

I currently DONT have the right set up for my tank and am trying to do the right thing.. I have a 30 gallon tank with THIS powerhead:

http://www.petco.com/product/109837/PETCO-Power-Head.aspx?CoreCat=LookAhead 40-60 gallons

My lights are: Deep Blue SolarMax HO T5 STRIP

1 Carbon filter (cheap came with the "kit" and i want to junk it and just use the protein skimmer)
Will JUST the protein skimmer power head and heater work for my current inhabitants? Below:
1 Xenias set
1 Green star polyp
1 mushroom coral
1 brain coral
1 red sponge

(what do I buy to feed these and how often?)

1 sailfin ( i know shes going to be too big for my tank but shes SO BEAUTIFUL (how long before I have to give her away!)
1 coral beauty, aka dwarf angel fish
2 engineer gobys (who hide in the rocks all day, how boring are they )

(what do I buy to feed these and how often?)

1 sand sifting star fish (I read something saying I should get rid of these?)
1 blue starfish
1 urchin (I should get rid of this too?) EVEN THOUGH I LOVE IT!!!! (is there something i can give it so it stays alive in my new tank?
1 red and white crab
whole snail clean up crew
and TWO tube worms
And finally

(what do I buy to feed these and how often?)

Is one 5 gallon water change weekly OK? I am worried about my salt water levels! I always top off with distilled ( I pour it directly in the tank from the gallon jug, is this ok?)
Should I clean the Alge that builds up on the glass daily? and How do I get it off my sponge!

How many fish is CAPACITY for this tank and how many corals is CAPACITY for this tank and how many BOTTOM dwelling animals is CAPACITY for this tank!


How do I kill the one APISTIA I have on my LR?



Last and final question (I cant promise I wont have more later lol)

What should I be dosing my tank with daily? How much?
someone told me:
Alk/Ca/Mg supplements ( i cant trust me LFS for any of these answers because he will sell me things I DONT NEED (as usual)



THANK YOU and please be as specific as possible about your answers because I am COMPLETELY new to this and am learning only through your answers!!! If I wouldnt have found this website.. I would have a graveyard instead of a TANK! lol
THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!!
;D

 

Hope this helps out.

 

I am not sure what type of 30 gallon you have so I will take some guesses here:

1) There are several very good skimmers for your size tank:
CPR SR3, RIO Nano, Aeroforce

2) I would recommend a Koralia Nano, these are very good powerheads for tanks of this size.

3) Your filtration requirements depend on the maturity of your tank and the live rocks ability to keep up with the bioload. You will need to be very careful with going slowly. Nano tanks tip the threshold very quickly from good to very bad. You may want to have some type of HOB filter in case parameters start going bad you can add some carbon.

4) Some of your choices are very hardy, I would learn as much as you can before you buy, avoid anything fragile for at least 1 year.

5) I feed my fish once per day and in small amounts. I mix my food (frozen meaty, flake and pellets) Again refer to #3.

6) You should not have to supplement your CUC food, there should be plenty (depends again on tank maturity).

7) Weekly water changes are great ideas but if you are doing them that often 10% should be plenty (3 gallons).

8) The best method of putting your RO/DI water in the tank is with a ATO. That way you are not introducing a large volume of fresh water in a small area (could potentially cause stress).

9) Highly recommend Aiptasia X, easy to use, comes with a needle and works very, very well.

10) Do not DOSE, if you are using quality salt and doing 10% weekly water changes you should not need to do it. You are asking for more trouble.

Good luck!