29g Oceanic Biocube vs. 20g Glass

I currently own a 20 gallon glass aquarium that I used to use as a FW aquarium. The question is should I just purchase the 29g Oceanic BioCube or just keep what i have now and purchase all of the equipment? I have found T-5 lighting for $79.99 and I am not sure what kind of filtration to use still. I do not plan on having a bare bottom tank. All suggestions are welcome!!!

Should I use a Power/ Bio-Wheel filter or a Decent Canister Filter?

How many lbs of LR should I need?

Protein Skimmer?

I am on a 600 dollar budget right now. I can always add things to the aquarium in the future. I want the necessities right now.

I know to take it slow i am going to let cycle for ATLEAST 4 weeks.

Please help...

 

If you get the biocube, don't get thier skimmer, CPR makes one that drops in the back compariable to the Red Seas version. Well worth the extra money!

 

This is your first time doing SW??

 

Yes, I was introduced by HORTON16

 

i have also been thinking about it for about 2 years if it was worth the money

 

There is also a 50g at my LFS. that i might be interested in. I prefer to stay away from the cubes

 

oh yes buy the 50!!!

 

if you do a cube, get a JBJ much simpler design and to put it simplisticly, it just works...

I looked at all the different nano's before I went with the JBJ and I haven't been disappointed or regretted it at all

Also something to considerin within your budget is just checking craigslist for used setup's in your area, I was looking today and there is a guy locally here selling a 150g setup with vho's and 100lbs rock and a fuge, total running system with corals for 600 bucks and usually these people are open to negotiate somewhat

 

I found one on craigs list that is 55gallons and $425 for everything. But they do not offer transportation of the product and i cannot transport it myself.