Well as right now I thing the best thing we can do for you Hero is right a list of questions you need to ask in order to get a better idea of what the plans for this tanks are.
Borders book store usually has a couple of better books on Saltwater aquariums look here for titles
http://www.reefs.org/library/reading/
Also stop by the DIY forum and read a few articles
Here is my "short" list for you to get answers to
1. Are going to be running a sump, a seperate tank that help "filters" and hides equipment?
2. Do you want a refugium? usually in-line with a sump, it a small tank or divided area that has a rather deep sand bed where "pods" and other creatures can survive with out being eaten. Help provide addditional filtation.
3. How many overflow drains are you planning on? 2000g I would thing 2-3inch would be nice
. Correct me if I'm wrong fellas
4. How much space do you have for additional equipment? And how far away both (vertically and horizontally) with that equipment be from the main display tank?
5. Will you want to run a calcium reactor? ( this helps corals by providing additional calcium to the water.
6. Will you be treating tap water? Or better yet running a Reverse Osmosis with Deionizer (RO/DI)? And will this automatically top-off the tank to replace the water that has evaporated or will it be done manually each day?
7. Are you interested in closed loop systems plumbed in that will provide extra water movement in the tank? Or do smaller, "power head" pumps in (and visible) the main tank seem better?
8. Do you want something like a wave machine on the tank to help circulate water?
Okay I know this seems like a lot to think about but we need to know how much equipment you teacher is wanting you to cover in this project?
Best of luck