New tank for cichlids

Question
I wanted to ask you a question regarding the best setup tank for cichlids?  I all ready have a 40g community tank and I have learned from my mistakes regarding cycling and fish.  But, what I would like to create is a new cichlid tank and take the time to do everything properly.  Can you recommend what is the best tank setup?
Size?
What type of filters? Underground?
Any specific types of tanks?  Accrylic or glass?
Protien skimmers? (which i dont know what they are used for)
Anything that I can simply look on ordering online and build a nice tank versus buying a large tank from a fish store and find that the equipment provided is sub-par.  Price is a factor but I would rather purchase better parts slowly than cheaper pieces all at once.  

I found that I enjoy the looks of the fish, with cichlids, than regular community fish and I just want to do it right.  I appreciate your time.

Answer
Eric,
I would need to know what type of cichlids you want to keep as there are different requirements for different types.
but a quick answer would be, skip the skimmer as its a salt water item does not work in fresh water anyway.
Get a glass tank, acrylic is lighter if you are going to a giant tank, but for the most part glass will be fine and cheaper as well.
NO undergravel filters, you should run at least two, either a hang on box filter and a floor cannister or a HOT magnum and a box filter etc.
I don;t recomend building your own tank unless you have done this sort of thing before, I would get something in the 55-90 gal range depending on what you want to put in it.
You could also do dwarf cichlids as well and would not need a giant tank to do it.
Let me know what you are thinking of keeping and we can go from there.