What values R right for chemistry???

I've been reading and trying to comprehend the additional readings for a marine tank, but i need to know if i am covering all the bases.
i know that i need 0 for ammonia, nitrite, & nitrate

i know i should maintain salinity(=specific gravity???) but i don't know to what level.

i know i should maintain pH, and i'm gathering that it should be 8.2 or 8.3, but this also depends on species i guess.

i know i should maintain a calcium level but i don't know to what level.

and i see readings for alkalinity. this puzzles me because isn't alkalinity what you would call the acidic side of the pH scale with the opposite being Basic ??

i saw a couple of other readings given, copper and something else i think. any way, some direction on this would help. i already looked at the advanced aquarist.com and WOW, very technical. guess i need a chart or something that tells me what i need to be worried about, what the readings are for normal, and how to correct them.

and don't worry, when i assimilate all this info i gather on  3reef, i will make some posts that other newbies will laud.
again thanks for the info.

 

oh yeah, one more thing, what gadgets (electronic) do you recommend for checking some of the above readings??? i know some of them need to be titrated the old fashoned way, but if ther is an inexpensive device, like Nautilus' refractometer, i'd like to know about it.
thanks

 

BO4M-
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm
This link posted up by Boomer will give you all your answers.
Salinity 1.023 to 1.025
Cal 420 to 450
Alk 7 to 11 DKH
pH 8.2 to 8.4

Please read the link above for details.

 

That is the perfect link and all that i asked for. book marked it is. Thanks Nautilus and Boomer!!