sika

Hello all. I have recently dismantled my cold water marine tank and am thinking of setting up an African cichlid tank Tank specs 5ft x 600 x 600. Has a overflow[durso]/sump setup. I have heaps of coral rock (which is now drying in the sun) and coral sand. Few Q's. 1. Do people use sump setups for tropical fw? 2. Obviously the skimmer is useless so what is a good mechanical filter media (to use in the sump). 3. My light fitting is an Aqua Medic 4x54 T5. What tubes should I fit in it? Will start with those basic questions first and see how I get on.