As CnT, it's better not to start on a marine tank and do things half-heartedly. This is not a system for you to try-try on, cos living things can and WILL die, if you don't know what you're doing.

I can't remember whether I posted my beginner's articles in here, but if I didn't, PM me and I'll pass you the links.

My only difference in opinion with CnT is in the choice of lighting. MHs are very nice lights but expensive, very hot, very expensive to maintain (high TNB bills) and generally not very efficient. They however can penetrate to the deepest of any lighting. But if you do not plan to have anything taller than a 2' tank, I'd suggest you take a look at HO-T5 lighting (high output T5) systems. They're cheaper, come with lots of colour combinations, are much less hot, and VERY efficient on electricity.

Corals are living organisms just like you and me, and that's why they can die !! But of cos, not looking after them well just makes them die a lot faster. Under ideal conditions in the sea, corals do NOT die, and just get bigger and/or mulitply into many colonies. This is what we try to achieve in our tanks too.

Just remember to do lots of research first before you buy anything (especially livestock). I know it's hard to resist jumping in ( I was like that 24 years ago when I started in marine too!), but try your best to resist until you know what you want, and what you need to do.

Cheers and good luck