Where to begin?

[Poetic]

Hello all, I need tons of help. I've been out of fish keeping for like 10-11 years, I recently got the itch and I would really like to get a new tank set up. It's been so long, and I was a kid at the time I have no idea where to begin these days.

What I know for sure so far is that I want a 29g tank. Couple items I know 100% that I'll buy so far include...

Visi-Therm 100w Stealth Heater
API Freshwater Master Test Kit

Basically I'm looking for a list of equipment to buy, like what you would recommend to someone if you were a store owner and someone came in and had no idea what to buy.

Someone told me to get a AquaClear Powerfilter 50 for the tank which seems fine, but I may need something different. I have a bar/counter top area between my Kitchen/Dining room. It doesn't get used, so that's where I planned on putting the tank. I want the tank to look nice from both sides. I'm not sure a hang on back filter will work for this, or will probably look tacky.

I'm not 100% sure on what I want to stock in the tank, but I'll give it a go if it will help with suggestions. We always had big fish back then, I'm looking to set up more of a community tank w/ lots of little active fish. After looking around the various sites these last few days, I'm kinda thinking about maybe doing...

A pair of German Blue Rams
5 of some kind of Cory
5-8 of some small school fish (suggestions?)
Room for more?

The Rams seem kinda scary, I'm reading they're hard to keep alive. But I love the way they look.

I plan to plant the tank, but light. Was thinking of buying one of those kits on the online stores that give you 5-6 type of plants at 1-3x each. That a good idea?

Ok, hope this is enough info! I'd like suggestions on everything I'll need to get started. I plan to do the fishless cycle I've been reading about. I have a budget of about $250 for the tank and equipment. That's not counting the fish. I could probably swing a little more though if need be.

I look forward to your responses. Thanks in advance.

 

[missileman]

You may consider buying a Marineland tank, the Eclipse model. The filter is inside the hood and they do make a 29 gallon.
PS: my Marineland 75 gallon tank came with the Stealth heater, I don't know if they are the manufacturer or not.

 

[Poetic]

How pricey is something like that?

 

[missileman]

You would have to shop around.
Here is one on Ebay, I am not suggesting you buy this one but you can see from the picture that it was $199 at Petco for a 25 gal. Just to give a ballpark figure.
Marineland Eclipse 2 All-In-One Fish Tank Aquarium 25g! - eBay (item 120376021251 end time Apr-10-09 05:24:15 PDT)

 

[mgamer20o0]

personally really dont like the eclipse systems. i would go with a canister filter depending on the set up. are you able to put things bellow the tank? with a canister you can get a inline heater so all you will have going into the tank is 2 tubes. do you want low light plants or med light plants? i have a 29 gallon with a 55w ahsupply light over it you could do something like that or look into some t5 lighting. as for the plants you can order a package online or look for one on the forums.

 

[Poetic]

I think I'll start with low light plants, I could always upgrade the lighting/plants at a later date if I decided, right?

The canister thing sounds nice, but the tank is going to be on a counter top. I won't be able to place anything under it, I could probably do something off to the side if I hide well enough.