Just my opinion...
Stay away from chain stores... Cheap plastic junk and well intentioned, but underpaid inexperienced staff for the most part.
The most important piece of equipment you will ever have is knowledge. Read as much as you can, ask any questions you have no matter how trivial, and get as many opinions from reliable sources as you can. Establish a relationship with a LFS that you trust, (the people with the NICEST tanks and most experience), and keep them honest by looking around at prices. Even if you live some distance away, this will be worth it.
You won't need a "filter" if you use Live Rock... do some research on skimmers for your size of tank, Prizm, Remora, Seaclone, Tunze, etc... and pick one that meets your demands and works into your budget... *HINT* I spent the same amount of money on my first 3 skimmers as I did finally on my last one...
Unless your frog used to sunbathe in a 10,000 K metal halide light
I would suggest looking at new lighting... without the proper spectrum and intensity lighting, all the rest becomes a moot point.
Remember to keep asking - we all want everyone to be successful, good luck and make sure to post some pics of your new project!
