I use the petsmart brand that has four places you can hook up hoses. It's the biggest model they carry. It also gets louder as time goes by but you can return it anytime for a new one. I have. :D
The goal is not to mess up. I don't fly electric. I love the smell and sound of a nitro motor. The last one I had was about 2000 dollars. So one mistake would make for a very bad day.
I thought you loved the lights? You had me get them lol. I think they are pretty nice and I haven't had any issues. Mine are on at least 12 hours a day.
DMD and I use two of these are our 210's.
http://www.marineandreef.com/Aqualight_T5_Freshwater_Aquarium_Lighting_Coralife_p/res58120.htm
It comes in a saltwater version as well.
If you look up your electric company online they might have a calculator where you can enter the wattage and the amount of hours the light will be one during the day. Then it will tell you the price. The thing that costs a lot is the pump for my wet/dry and my heater. The heater is always on and...