Startup Cost!

One of the biggest hurdles in any aquarium (salt or fresh) is the startup cost. You have to buy the tank, stand, filter, substrate (gravel, sand, rock), decorations, pumps, on and on and on, before you can buy animal #1! Luckily, I was able to get the bulk of the expensive stuff used for 20-25% the cost of new. "Lower startup cost allowing progress towards another state" The chemical engineering nerd in me is screaming "CATALYST"... but I digress.

So in my previously mentioned used setup, I got: Tank, Stand, Sand, Filter, Pump, Powerheads, Lights, and Algae Scraper.

I've since placed orders for the remainder of what I need.

For the substrate, in addition to sand, to provide homes for all the fish-waste-loving bacteria, I need porous rock. You can go with live rock, which is already colonized with bacteria and good algae, or you can start with dead rock (cheaper). I've decided to meet in the middle. I ordered 15 lbs of live rock and 50 lbs of dead rock, all from http://www.marcorocks.com/. His stuff has a stellar reputation, and I look forward to seeing it in person! It's due to arrive mid-week.

I ordered the rest of what I need from http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/. I couldn't believe it, but everything I looked for, they had cheaper than anyone else on the internet, including Amazon. Plus free shipping over $49 and no sales tax, it was a deal! From them I bought:

Water test kit (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, and pH)
Refractometer (Salinity gauge)
Night/Day Timer Power Strip
Heater
Thermometer
Water pump & 1/2" tubing for water changes
Coral Pro Salt (175 gallons)
"Miracle Mud" to put in the refugium (hang on back filter) . Adds good bacteria
Blue background for the tank
Stainless steel handle nets (dealing with saltwater now- VERY corrosive)

Next step is to put in the sand, rocks, and saltwater, start up the pumps and let it start growing bacteria!