First Marine Aquarium question

I always like 40 breeders. There an easy size to light, nice depth, nice highth. Id stay simple for a first tank, i wouldnt run a sump right away.

 

The bigger the tank the more the startup, maintaining, stocking etc. Its easier to have a mid range tank, with a low maintenance, that way you can focus more money on corals and leas on equipment

 

Some of the most sound advice given to me early on was to figure out what you wanted in the end and work backwards from there. If your goal is a clown/anemone tank then the 40g is a good suggestion. Clowns are some of least demanding of space and you will achieve a nice full looking tank pretty quick.

I like the 40's for nems since they are a bit higher than a lot of the more trendy rimless options out there. You will need powerheads for water movement if you are avoiding the sump and nems and powerheads are arch-enemies for sure. That height will allow you a better chance of avoiding the all too painful nem-in-a-blender phenomenon people experience.

Another advantage is along the lines of what glaspie spoke of. With a 40 you can still get top quality equipment and have money left over to stock it nicely. Best of both worlds. Go too big and you will spend it all on equipment and have a beautiful empty setup. That's just a tease
Good luck!

 

Coral haven has several used tanks with all the equipment needed. Sump, pumps, lights. I'd go that route. Then all you need is rock, sand, salt, and at very least filtered water for fish only

 

There are nice full used setups for sale at coral haven but don't overlook the buy sell trade section on girs. Lots of great priced setups on here.
A 40b or a 60 cube would be good first choices. Lots of those for sale right now.

 

I really really like sumps. Keeps the tank looking clean, and it is much easier to work on.

Just DONT get a 55, worst SW tank possible.

I like a 75 myself. Many lights are 4 ft, not many are 3 ft.

 

Lots of good sugestons
A 40 is good the 75 allows you to expand having more options.
I like a sump idea, not hanging things on the back.
The idea of planning ahead is great, if you know what you want at the end you can plan what you need to get there.
Those are some of the best points I see or would say.

Yes Coral Haven does have a few used complete setups for sale right now.

 

Just a heads up if you were going the 40B route, PetCo is currently running their $1 per gallon sale.