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As long as we're giving completely unsolicited advice, I'd say avoid the corner bow tank as well. If the fish are the least bit territorial, it's a stupid, limiting layout for them, keeping two fish from having their own ends of the tank and narrowing less agressive or schooling fish's options for getting away or just swimming the length of the tank.
Cap'n posts kind of old advice -- with current filtration you don't need to worry about surface area as much-- the taller tank is more attractive and the footprint is the same, and evaporation relative to total volume is less quick. No reason not to go with a 29 gal rather than a 20 long (same footprint) or a 38 or 45 gal rather than a 30 long (same footprint) or a 55 gal rather than a 40 long.
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A corner tank is no good because it's not long.
But -
A tall tank is OK, even though it's not long.
Say that again ?
Your firstparagraph validates Rusty's contention, even though for a different reason.
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I wouldn't buy a setup with all the gear. You want a good filter and a good heater -- cheap ones break and will cause headaches at best, kill your fish at worst. You never get good gear when you buy a package.
Get a used tank. As BGnR pointed out, the bigger the tank, the less maintenance it will need. Soft Scrub works very well to remove hard water deposits.
Get the best filter you can afford. Marineland is good, but I don't care for their Eclipse tanks. I have a 39 gallon Eclipse but I'm not longer using the Eclipse filter. For one thing, the carbon filters were ridiculously expensive. You can make your own, but that's a pain. Also, Eclipse tanks get very noisy as the water level drops. I don't like to just add water to a low tank, but you pretty much have to with an Eclipse unless you want to change water once a week. Finally, I always had no end of problems with water dribbling down the back of the tank.
Personally, I use and recommend Eheim canister filters, both the pro and ecco lines. They're pricey. But it took me a while to work my way up to the Eheim line, and I wish I would've just started there.
I don't know of a good heater. They all suck. Maybe I shoulda bought the Eheim with the heater built in.
You should also think about a gadget to make it easier to change the water. You can use a Python, which hooks up to a faucet and uses the venturi principal to suck water up from your tank. There's an attachment which vacuums the gravel for you as well. Me, I just use pond pump, and also a dedicated garbage can that lets me mix my dechlor into the water before pumping it into the tank.
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Okay, let me chime in again, this time about Canister Filters.
They are wonderful, efficient, and powerful filters BUT it really depends on the type of person you are. If you enjoy spending a lot of time doing maintenance, then canister filters are great. You can pack them with more and different types of filter media, etc.
The biggest concern is that they are a pain in the arse to change. You have to stop them, disconnect, restart etc...
Compare that to pulling out a filter cart or two (weekly), rinsing in a sink and/or replacing it your filter with a new one (monthly).
Canister filter, 10 to 15 minutes plus minimum.
Outside Power Filter (or Eclipse), 1 or 2 minutes tops including the walk to the sink.
As others have said, if you want something fancy and modern looking like the Bow front at a lower cost check out the Eclipse. Nice clean look, good filtration, and they work.
Also most of MacMagnus posts were dead right on Target. That Bio Spira Live Bacteria is great but expensive but it jump starts your tank a few weeks into the future.
If you can't find that try Stess Zyme, Cycle, TLC or other Bacterial supplements to help speed along the Nitrogen Cycle and establish your tank. Water tests are critical the first month or two.
