@CuzzA is "spot-on" with his recommendations and is not "father lecturing" you. He like, many others (hundreds) here on R2R have gone through similar circumstances as you are currently. And have made the same mistakes trying to cut corners or go inexpensive with gear trying to achieve results that quality gear has proven to produce. Trust me I bought
Amazon stuff and Ebay stuff trying to save money and trying to have an "insta reef", and over time I've ended up biting the bullet and buying good gear. Yes it's expensive but it's cheaper than buying stuff that you'll eventually replace in the near future. Well truth is you can't rush or fool nature. If anything
@CuzzA is trying to save you from wasting money.
Cold hard facts, if you're on a budget (as mentioned with baby on the way) start off with simple corals & fish. Sure they're not going to be show tank magazine phenoms but you'll still enjoy the satisfaction of keeping them alive. Patience is is one part of this hobby and if you rush things or think you have a better way - you're going to get bit. "If you buy a farm, you're NOT an instant farmer"
The other side of this coin (which may not be obvious yet now that this is in your blood) take your time & research each and every fish, coral, piece of gear and make an educated decision as to what you want/need next. We ALL go through this phase and we want a beautiful, successful reef but you can't buy an "insta-reef" (many have tried) It's nature, there's no guide or owners manual how to "build the perfect reef tank". The variables are in the millions and each of us has to wade are way through the info to make it work in our tanks.
I'll give you my own personal "bonehead" start. - I bought a 60gal long tank & stand from Petco years ago. I bought sand, live rock, salt etc. But I went w/dual Current USA LEDs (because they were cheap). I also went w/2 canister filters, an Ebay hang on the back skimmer and then ordered coral & fish online. Tank looked good initially (so I thought) but corals died shortly afterwards, buy more same result. Started testing, shooting blindly buying bigger pumps, powerheads etc and still the nightmare continued. Finally after spending nearly 5 times what I planned on and researching, I bought a sump, a skimmer to fit and quality LEDs. I literally flushed $4k down the drain because I thought I could do it "on the cheap". This is what all of us here are trying to help you avoid. Take your time, research, ask questions, then ask more questions.
Good luck (Btw - it's a boy...lol)
