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Spent a lot of time doing the same sort of pondering, so I have a few suggestions/comments. Sorry if many of them are commonsensical.
The kits often get you in trouble for 2 reasons I can think of: 1) because they tend to include a filter which the store wants to sell, but which isn't the best for your tank and 2) because they often limit the degree to which you can change your tank around (e.g. they give you a full hood when two glass lids and a light would be far more versatile if you wanted to changing lighting, change to a planted or reef tank).
That said, $130 for a tank, hood, filter etc. (stand?) is not a bad deal! I paid $90 for my 55 tank and metal stand (cruddy), and that was considered by many a good deal.
****The short answer about buying tanks is that there is no secret best place to buy them.**** They and stands are about the only things in the hobby that you can't get much cheaper online or at specialty stores. They're expensive to ship to stores, and would be expensive (and fragile)to ship to you. So, when considering tanks, just look for the best deal at your local establishments and get it. Nobody, not even Ebay (usually local pick-ups only on tanks that large; I had a bad experience...),
www.bigalsonline.com, and
www.drsfostersmith.com can save you on that one.
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IME, it's best to get a simple tank and stand and then build up the components yourself:
-If you're considering a 55, you're pretty serious. Do yourself a favor and buy a good filter. Fluval canisters are a good bet (lowest price on a Fluval 304 at
www.bigalsonline.com: $65; Fluval 404: $85) as are the Penguin/Emperor line of Marineland bio-wheel filters (Penguin 330 at bigals for $24; Emperor for $40). If you know bio-wheels, you'll know that they're an excellent way to increase your biological filtration.
-Then get a 48" strip light and two 24" glass tops (you need two because of the plastic bar in the middle of the tank's upper rim).
-Get a good quality 200W heater such as a Tronic or an Ebo-Jager. Don't be sucked in by cheaper models, as they can misregulate temperature and burn your fish, even with a heater guard.
Well, those are my many cents. Sorry if you knew most of it already. I wouldn't go with the package deal, and I'd look for individual parts if I were in your shoes. Hope this helps.
Jon
