Which Route to Go?

[Waffen06]

So Ive been torn the past couple weeks. Ive been in reef keeping for about 10 years, Ive had from a 5.5 up to a 125 gallon tank. Last tank was a 75 gallon plus sump that I sold when I thought we were moving. 2 years later still here and want another tank. Wife has agreed but it needs to be smaller, under 40 gallons and no sump, must be an aio. Problem is here in central ohio there is little saltwater popularity. Closest saltwater store is a good hour an half one way and theres even less options for used. So I need help deciding what to get. Plans for the tank include soft corals, zoas, mushrooms and LPS. Planning on a pistol shrimp/goby pair and 1-2 other fish. Kicker is I want to keep it completely under $500. Heres what Im looking at:
1: Fluval 13.5 ($150) can get one for a decent price, factory lighting should work for what I'm doing. Only concern is it being too small and will want something a little bigger.
2: Biocube 16 LED ($231) cost a bit more then the fluval but get a little more space. Timer already built in.
3: Used Biocube 32 led ($400) completely set up, been running 2 years with sand, rock, some corals, clown, banghi cardinal, pistol shrimp/goby. Comes with rodi system, skimmer, wavemaker, Guy is firm wont budge on price.
4: New 32g LED biocube ($310)
5: Other please explain

Now please remember I want everything to stay under $500 including sand, rock, initial stock.

 

[BurgerFish]

I lost many corals in Fluval 13.5 with stock lighting and canopy (high temp issue). To success you must to remove canopy and replace the light for something better.

 

[Waffen06]

I lost many corals in Fluval 13.5 with stock lighting and canopy (high temp issue). To success you must to remove canopy and replace the light for something better.

Appreciate the insight, I must add with 3 kids and a cat the tank Must have a lid of some sort

 

[Dbichler]

Depends on equipment with used biocube or go with the new. Personally I would go 40 breeder noopsyche or mars aqua and jebao wavemakers amd waterchanges

 

[MattDaReefer]

Sound to me like the best option would be the used 32 biocube. sound like it has everything you need to get started. Good luck with the new set up

 

[Waffen06]

Sound to me like the best option would be the used 32 biocube. sound like it has everything you need to get started. Good luck with the new set up

Thanks it was my first option but so many said it was over priced, I offered less but he turned it down.