1st salt water tank

Check in your local community and see if there is a aquarium society that meets up every week. My area has one and they do private auctions and door prizes.

There are soo many skimmers out there and do your research on them before you buy like type it in on youtube or google and see if its easy to maintain and no flaws.
You can follow the rule I use, The "plus one" rule. If you find a skimmer for a 60 gallon, go for the one thats rated one step higher than that. It will guarantee you that you wont under/over skim.

be careful drilling. check with the manufacturer to see if its tempered. usually its just the bottom but always check to be on the safe side.

If you want to save alot of money, buy your Rock dry. There isn't a set rule for how much you need but I agree with the 1 pound per gallon. I only have 20 pounds in my 36 gallon but I got 40 pounds of live sand. After you put them in the tank, grab a small chunk of live rock and set it in front of the current and it will help seed your rock.
I wish you good luck and send sum pics as you build it from the ground up

 

So to big of a skimmer is bad? I was thinkin bout goin with a 30 gal sump that should be big enough

 

A big skimmer will pull a lot out of the water (which is what you want it to do). However, too clean water will make it difficult for some corals that actually like nutrient-rich water to grow effectively (mostly softies).

As an example, I'm running a Bubble King 300 on my system. It's rated for up to 1200 gallons and I've got only 350 gallons of display. As a result I have nutrient-poor water, which is great for my SPS. However, I have some Green Star Polyps that in all my other tanks have gone nuts and in this system are barely growing.

Additionally, skimming will reduce some trace elements. Over-skimming does it faster.

I've had my best results with a big skimmer, but you have to add trace elements and target feed regularly.

 

So far everyone has given you good advice, as I feel you will always get here, kudos to 3reefers. Welcome to the hobby btw. I agree with the guys saying pass on the used skimmer for that price new aren't much more. I'd just read reviews of what people said, everyone has their own favorite and there are tons out there. I personally have a sc150, there is a thread on here I think they make a smaller skimmer too everyone has good things to say about them(still no water in my tank yet so not sure yet haha).
As far as rock 1 lb/gal is pretty safe. Buy the dry rock and seed it with a piece of live rock sooo much cheaper. Plus watching things grown in your tank is what it's all about. Just remember dry rock is usually a little lighter so a lb per gallon may be a lot of rock. Buy argonite sand, IMHO live sand isn't necessary put a piece of live rock in, cycle your tank, and soon your sand will be alive.
I think if you have room for a 30 gallon sump go for it bigger water volume the better. Build your own I built mine and if I can do it trust me can too. If you would like I can post some pics for an idea if you like or there is some under my 125 build. Good luck on the build any questions keep em coming everyone one here loves the hobby and helping others get into it!

 

Well tank fall though so I'm looking for a tank again and I'm looking reef ready but me and my wife are goin to do a 25 gal tall on a table we have just so we get the hang of things thanks for all the great info