What Would You Suggest?

[Anthony!]

I'm getting a 55 gallon tank (somewhere like 220 liters) and I'm curious, what would be the best equipment (filters, etc?) My budget is $360. I was thinking (filter and heater wise) a Whisper 60 filter and a Theo 300W heater. And I have no idea what would be best for lighting. What would you guys recomend? I'm not too sure what will go in the tank, deciding mainly between puffer communuty, or tiger barb community. Thanks for the help!

EDIT: the 360$ includes the tank and stand. But, I might be able to get a stand cheap (Uncle is a carpenter, might be able to get him to make me one cheap!)

 

[plantropimunity]

i would look into the aquaclear filters as an alternative to the whisper.
i have a 55 gallon tank that has a whisper 60 and an aquaclear 300.
while i have had good luck with the whisper filters, and do not think they are a bad choice, when it came time to buy a new filter for my ten gallon tank, (damn mts), i went with the aquaclear over the whisper, and i will tell you why:
1. efficiency the whisper is a good filter until the bio bag begins to clog. then unfiltered water flows over the lip and back into your aquarium. with the AC, it is forced to go through the media. there is no other path.
2. waste removal the whisper is pretty good at the mechanical, but the first time you rinse a sponge from the AC, you will not believe your eyes. seriously. i have rinsed and reused the bio bags and i have never seen that amount of detrius.
3. cost the whisper filter is actually more expensive than the AC initially. the AC media is more expensive, but the only thing i ever replace is the carbon, and ten bucks for a three pack that lasts three months is okay with me. plus you could buy bulk carbon and a mesh media bag and stretch that cost out even further.