[vettech101]

hello, first let me introduce myself. My name is mike, and I have found this sight very informative. I want to get into salt water, I have many years experience in fresh water tanks, however I know saltwater or reef tanks are totally diffrent animals.
I have read, and read, read, and "studied" and researched, but I still have some questions

I feel that I have a grasp on what I need to start, and maintain just need some advise on somethings, so with that out of the way.

my tank that I have aquired is an odd, 47"x 12.5"x13.5" it was from an old fish store, it is drilled in the back . I have a wet/dry filter with bio-balls a friend has given me, he wasnt using it any more. also 48" coralife lighting system with 110 vho and 50/50.

question : what is with all the material iam reading about removing the bio-balls from the wet/dry, I was under the impression the balls work kinda like live rock , was I thinking wrong thinking that they help produce "good" bacteria?

question: the lighting I have, will that be good enough to keep zoo's and some corals, poly's, anemonies?

I wanted these questions rested in my head before I start to set things up , I appreciate those who took the time to read this and those of you that will respond