Greetings from a fellow newbie. You're going to enjoy it.
Research, research, research.
Start with Hardware, live rock and live sand and an RO/DI unit. That will get you started in cost. I got my initial set up on Craig's list for $400. Then I started in on the live rock and replacing all the things I thought sucked, which I am still doing. This is far from an overnight thing. If I have what I want in a year, I will be very happy.
Also, don't just go out and get a 235g aquarium without thinking about how much it will cost to put live rock and sand in it. You need to think about the location in your house that it is going to be. Remember.....it is not easily moved. Originally, I was going to put mine in front of one of my living room windows. Wrong.
Get Aquariums for Dummies (latest printing) and a few other publications. You will want more than one person's opinion on what is good and bad. God knows opinions differ on some things, but you will get a real good idea about what EVERYONE agrees on quickly.
So buy books, ask questions and start a computer log.
Rock on.......and welcome to 3reef.......John _________ 90g HW: 20g L Sump/Fuge, ETSS PS w/Mag9, Ext OF/Rio 2100 RTN, MJ AC 2K3 PH's (2800GPH ttl flow), 300W htr, Gnd Prb, Denitrator, UV, PCs: 2x65, 4x55 Fish: Ylw Tang, LM Blenny, Hmbg, Ylw-tail, Ylw dmsls, Mrn Clown, Coral Beauty, Red Crs Wrsse. Inverts: Snls/HCs, CBS, P-mnt shrimp x2, Sandstar, Condy Anen, Tube Worms. Frags: Frgspwn, Kenya Tree. Corals: GSP, Zoos, Shrooms, Lobo Brain, Turbinaria. Other: 123# LR, 1-2" LS DOB 5/7/08 10g Mtd Pair Fls Perculas, HC/TS, 10# LR, 12lbs LS K-Nano PH AC-30  | 
