Purchasing an Aquarium Kit

I have decided to buy a 55 gal kit, I am currently looking at 2 different kits. The first is a marineland led kit available at petsmart, the second is an Aqueon Deluxe kit. The Aqueon costs less, but I wasn't sure if the LED lights were better. I plan to start the tank with a 2-4" sand bed with rock and fish only for now (I know corals require special lighting).

Both kits say they are good for marine aquariums, but I also wasn't sure if the filters were sufficient or if I will need to buy something additional.

Thank you in advance for your advice and opinions.

 

Marine land ones are perfect if your buying a tank new, but I'd suggest searching craigslist for a overflow setup. They are pretty cheap.

 

+1 look on Craigslist for a used drilled setup.

 

Can you pleae tell me the advantage of the drilled? I understand they are better looking, but what is the difference in function?

 

They are more reliable , you don't have to worry about losing siphon or overflowing your dt.

 

A drilled tank will require a sump. You can put most of your mechanical equipment in the sump, heater, skimmer, refugium, skimmer and pumps for any reactors and what not, filter socks if you want, auto top off an so on, thus, not in the display tank.
Which makes it easier to access and to do maintenance and more visually appealing. Like someone recently said, the dern reefing hobby is geared towards having a sump, which is understandable...

 

Im on the same boat trying to decide. So far ive seen a few on craigslist. Let us know which one you get.

 

Most of what I've seen on Craigslist is larger than I am looking for. I am in an apartment and don't want too go too large not only because of space, but weight. Do I need a pump to go with the one on the tank? I wasn't sure I would need a heater, the temp in my apartment is pretty consistent. In my previous tank I only had the one that hangs on the back, but it was a smaller tank.