CatoeSc
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Are aqueon aquariums good and recommended?
Right now I'm looking at this tank because it includes a lot. Not exactly 30g tho.
http://m.petsmart.com/mt/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3623645&lmdn=Fish+Aquariums+%26amp%3Bamp%3Bamp%3B+Bowls&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo
I just set this this tank kit up as a saltwater and I really like the size. You are really getting a lot for your money with this kit, especially when you consider the T5 lighting. It's not top of the line, but it's pretty good to start with.
I would recommend you not use sand if you're a beginner. Find a good plant-friendly substrate that gets you the color, but allows you to vacuum it. Sand is tricky for a FW tank.
This may sound like a dumb question, but it is an error some newbies make (including me). When you do water changes, are you using a gravel vac or scooping out water? You should use a gravel vac/siphon to pull out all the uneaten food and poop.