Few questions for my new tank

[inanity]

Recently acquired a second hand 3x2x2.5 tank at a great value bundle and have a couple of questions that I hope the seniors here will help me with

my sand and rocks came with the tank, and it seemed pretty dirty when I looked through it, so i washed it with tap water. would this mean that there will be tremendous die-offs and my cycling period would be extended? i know the recommended time frame should be 3-4 weeks right?

also, after reading through the posts here, i threw in a market prawn and it started decomposing. is the main aim to let the prawn decompose to virtually nothing? or do i have to take it out at some point?

do i need to run the lights? the previous owner was using 2x mh + 2x t5 and this lighting set was given to me.

how about the chiller? i've a thermometer in the tank already (those small digital ones) and it states the temp can go up to 32 deg in the day.

what about the pump for the chiller? i was given a 1400l/hr pump. is that sufficient for the chiller?

what kind of wavemakers should i be looking for a tank of this size? im currently looking at FOWLR for the first 1-2 months, then LPS, then SPS when i feel ready enough

a FR also came with this set, so.. should i be running anything in the fr during the cycling period? the FR has a skimz logo on it, but can't really find any product that looks like it on the website.. so i'm not too sure what kinda pump to run with it either.

CR was also given but i don't intend to run it as i think its too much hassle. problem is, ive no idea how to use/test it before i sell it. it has a deltec logo on it. any seniors have any advice?

and for lighting period. id be using the given light set so its 2x mh and 2x t5. do i need to run the lights 24 hrs? mh probably not, but the t5?

where can i go to buy cheaper mh and t5 bulbs? kind of on a tight budget so id like to save if possible.

a skimmer was also given. brand aquanaut. never heard of this brand before, and when i googled it, the results were bad. could barely find any info on it. any bros have any cheap recommendations for skimmers? would intend to get a new one maybe 2-3 months later after the tank is stocked up.

and, anyone has any opinions on pod condos? saw it on thereeftank forum and was thinking its an interesting concept so i build a few with my small leftover rocks.

would appreciate if the seniors here can help me with my questions and also give advices! many thanks! :D

[moscowites]

hi bro. based on my newbie experience, lights shouldn't be turned on for 24hrs. you have to determine the time frame of your lighting according to the different corals which you are gonna get. too much intensity or period of lighting may in fact be detrimental to your corals.

as for your temperature of 32 deg.. it is WAY too high. try to have your temperature at below 28 deg if possible. while i've read that cycling the tank with a higher temperature is in fact better, you wouldn't want to risk it at 32 deg.

that is all that i can advise. i believe the more senior bros here will be able to help better.

[inanity]

hi bro. based on my newbie experience, lights shouldn't be turned on for 24hrs. you have to determine the time frame of your lighting according to the different corals which you are gonna get. too much intensity or period of lighting may in fact be detrimental to your corals.

as for your temperature of 32 deg.. it is WAY too high. try to have your temperature at below 28 deg if possible. while i've read that cycling the tank with a higher temperature is in fact better, you wouldn't want to risk it at 32 deg.

that is all that i can advise. i believe the more senior bros here will be able to help better.

hm. wouldn't be having any corals any time soon, so i guess lighting is just for aesthetic purposes first. i was thinking of turning on the mh lights for probably 8 hours a day and then t5(blue) for the rest.

as for temp, i've a chiller connected and ready to use anytime, just that i didn't turn it on, cus since its the livestocks that need a cooler temp, and there's nothing in it for the cycling now, it would just be a waste of electricity turning it on.

[inanity]

any other senior reefer to help?