[skeletor121]

I am new to the reefing community. How new you ask. So new that I haven't had a saltwater setup yet. I have experience with freshwater and want to start in on salt.
I have decided on getting a 150 gallon tank to use as a reef/fish tank because I got a sweet deal on one. Now I need to start outfitting it with equipment.
I'm not 100% sure what it is coming with since I'm not picking it up until Sunday. I know it has a hang on overflow, a wet/dry (I think, maybe just a sump), some type of canister filter, and a NO flourescent. It was previously used as a FW setup.
Since I'm not 100% sure on what I am getting I figured I would start with what I definitely know I need: Lights. I have heard that 5-7 W per gallon of water will be sufficient. Is this correct? I have also been hearing that PC's are not very good for a large tank. Why is that? I had origninally thought of a PC/MH mix for the tank. Do you think that would work as long as I get between 750 and 1050 W????? Please help. I plan on a DIY canopy and figured I should first figure out what lights I want to put in it.
I also want to know if using the canister filter is wise. I haven't seen many people using them and would like some info about them. I know not to use carbon in them. Since there isn't any carbon in them, what do you put in for the media? Thanks.