equipment

[trilinearmipmap]

Well fishguyxd to answer your question here is my understanding of the consensus for best equipment in each category. This is not based on my own experience, it is based on my reading/researching in preparation for my own tank, so it is not written in stone or anything but it's a start, I'm sure many will disagree.

Aquariums:

Oceanic -- used to be the Mercedes of fishtanks, quality perhaps slipping
All-Glass -- not as sturdy or high quality as Oceanic but O.K. quality
Inter-American -- see Reef Central threads (do a search)

Sumps:

DIY for cheap from an old fishtank or spend a lot of money on an acrylic sump, your choice

Skimmers:

In-Sump: Euroreef -- reputed to be the best
AquaC -- reputed to be good also

Hang-On: AquaC Remora -- consensus best hang-on

Heaters:

EboJagr: unreliable but better than the rest
VisiTherm: another popular option
Won Titanium: more reliability problems reported

Return Pumps:

External: Velocity T3/T4 series: very quiet, reliable
AmpMaster: consensus pick for high-flow

Internal: Mag Series Pumps: most often recommended pump

Test Kits: Salifert is often recommended

pH monitor: Pinpoint pH monitor is the consensus pick

powerheads: MaxiJets
or Tunze Stream if you have the cash
by the time you pay for 3 Maxijets and a wavemaker
you might as well buy a Tunze Stream IMHO
Rio Seio is a cheaper version of stream, reliability unknown

Calcium Reactor: DJ88's DIY calcium reactor on RC gets the best reviews of the ones I have read about, otherwise it beats me as far as different brands of Calcium Reactors

Lighting: most people seem to put together a retrofit or DIY from various parts, very subjective issue, decide for yourself, most people would point you toward investing right away in good (?MH) lighting rather than getting cheap lighting at first then upgrading later

Anyway that is a start for some advice on some of the more recommended products but don't take my word for it ask around.