Marine Setup Step 3 - Buy Your System Components
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Basic Gear for a Starter Marine System Edward Kadunc
[edit] Bringing Home the Hardware
By Robert M. Fenner from The Conscientious Marine Aquarist
By this point, you will have figured out the aquarium and equipment you need and where you want to spend your money to set up the sort of display you want for the life you intend to husband.
Don’t even think of buying a live organism at this time. (This is not a goldfish bowl, and you will not be setting up and adding livestock in the same day or even the same weekend.)
Refer to: Setup Checklist
[edit] Tip
Most aquarium stores will give substantial discounts on “starter setups.” Some have very good preselected packages of equipment, but if you want to create a custom starter system, don’t be afraid to ask for preferential pricing. New customers are vital to these stores, and they should be willing to work with your equipment lists. (If their starter package fails to include a protein skimmer, for example, insist that an appropriate model be included at an appropriate starter price.)