Keeping sand clean using skimmer

[Titleist]

So I had a couple more questions to finish my new setup. Aesthetically I like sand. I'd like sifters eventually. I want a mixed tank with some acro up top eventually down the road. Tank is 24" deep.

3 questions:

1. Is this deep enough to have good flow up top for acros yet medium to low for LPS down below, maybe a clam down the road?

2. I'm thinking a mix of reefflakes and mini for the sifters, 24" deep enough to keep 2" of sand in place or is it too shallow to support acro up top and lps down below

3. Has anyone tried hooking up their siphon cleaner near their skimmer input to help pull the waste into the skimmer? I was thinking of ramping up the skimmer during the sand cleaning session to help get rid of the det rather than water changes all the time. The ultimate goal is ULM with no water changes so I figured this would do what I'm looking for.

Reasonable?

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

I siphon into a filter sock. I’m running ATI Essentials so no water changes are needed, but cleaning is.

 

[Titleist]

I siphon into a filter sock. I’m running ATI Essentials so no water changes are needed, but cleaning is.

There's another method. That sounds even better as it should catch it all and not pull extra water of of the sump in wet foam. Thanks for that idea.