Hi Laura (and Clinton/Rory)... and others!
I am still a "newby" (Nearly 3 years later) ;-) in the Marine aquarium hobby, and I still ask a LOT of questions....
So, I would firstly like to say good show that you found this site, and wanting to learn a LOT by reading, before you really make a start....
I was not so lucky when I started - I did not know of any sites like these....
OK - where to start - I agree with the suggestions by Clinton/Rory....
I know of a shop in Cape Town CBD that sells a Marine/Fresh water aquarium book that would assist you as well (Bargain Books in Waterkant Street mall)....
Here's a very short summary of the most likely steps you would be taking (and the equipment I would suggest you get along the way - BUT, try and figure out WHAT you want to do in the hobby, and how much you can afford - as there are a few ways of doing this.... I'll explain)...
Step 1:
- You would MOST likely start off with a FOWLR tank (Fish Only With Live Rock)
= meaning, that you would have a tank, where there is not a HUGE requirement for the best lighting, and the strongest lighting, filtration is definitely necessary, BUT the type of filtration required is not as stringent as for example a SPS (short polyped stony coral) aquarium....
= you could get away with i.e. NO (Normal Output) T8 ("normal" type of flourescent) globes - the most common you might see at the Local Fish Shops (LFS) for a Fish Only system
= you could get away with either a small skimmer, or perhaps even an external canister filter, or perhaps even an "in-tank" filtration system (not the best though - BUT you could get away with it with a FOWLR tank)
= what you would need for such a system, is:
* glass or acrylic tank
* lights (any type)
* filter (any type, as long as some filtration occurs)
* salt-water (either from the Two Oceans Aquarium, or salt mixed with RO (Reverse Osmosis filtered) water
* some substrate (sand)
* at least a third worth of live rock (e.g. if you have a 100 litre tank, you should have +-30kgs of live-rock) is the internationally stated standard for decent filtration - as live rock is very expensive some times, you can do with less, but try to get as much as possible - assists in filtration
* with a FOWLR system, you can get away without a sump, BUT, in the end it is always better to have a sump for filtration
* power-heads/pumps IN the tank for water movement (the more the better - most sea fish and corals prefer much faster water flow that fresh water tropical fish)
Now, that would be for a start only.... below is the requirements if you want to start keeping ANY types of corals (soft-corals, and some LPS (long polyped stony corals)).....
- As much lighting of the highest intensity you can afford - options are: T5 HO flourescents, and Metal Halides (either single ended or double ended)
- the biggest protein skimmer you can afford (to export DOC's - Dissolved Organic Compounds) before it's broken down into e.g. ammonia, nitrates/nitrites, phosphates, etc, etc, etc)
- the MOST water-flow you can afford
- a sump (a MUST)
- a DSB (stands for: Deep Sand Bed - usually between 10 and 18 centimeters deep - nice to have - assists with denitrification)
- calcium reactor (nice-to-have - can use kalkwasser (calcium hydroxide mixed with vinegar and/or water), and other powder form calcium additives instead of a calcium reactor
- phosphate reactor (nice-to-have - especially if you are having problems with macro algae plant material in the tank)
- test kits: nitrate/nitrite/ammonia/calcium/pH/magnesium/etc/etc/etc
- heater (same for corals as for FOWLR system)
- perhaps a fan/chiller
The same applies for soft-corals (most) as for LPS corals as for SPS corals - BUT, SPS corals require the MOST between the above - the BEST water quality (NO ammonia, NO nitrites, NO nitrates, high calcium, high magnesium, high alkalinity, high pH, NO or very little Phosphates, the highest possible water-flow, the highest possible amount of light in wattage - and quite a bit of experience...
So, GOOD LUCK with the hobby!
Hope that the above helps... It is not meant to be a complete guide, but at least a summary of what to expect...
Jacques