hey there, hope i could help up abit. i've been in this hobby for maybe a year plus minus. at first i started with nothing. i converted arowana tank to marine tank, i took the long run. burned money. cause in my mind was fresh water equipments sure marine can use. i faced many problems. first batch of fish died overnight. corals melting etc etc. but once your things is stable down, you cannot resist temptation. as i myself have been poisoned badly. i'm thinking of upgrading my 4ft tank to a 6ft tank with sump and those evil equipments. having LPS, SPS, rare fishes in your tank to admire. in a long run canister wont last. you'll need to do weekly canister washing, its really damn hardcore. just an advice. dont be stingy on equipments. i've learnt my lesson. haha, now considering to upgrade to 6ft!