[palmbeach2210]

This is what I would do with my $300:

JBJ 24gal Nano Deluxe $179.95
15lbs Live Rock @3.99/lb $59.85
Red Sea Success Reef Base Substrate 11lbs $24.99
Seachem Reef Salt - 50 gallon mix Bag $19.99

Cleanup Crew after cycling: $35/$40?
5 x Mexican Turbo Snails
10 x Blue Leg Hermit Crab
10 x Mexican Red Leg Hermits
1 x Cleaner Shrimp

After this wait till your Mums gives you some extra cash in October and buy some fish and coral!

By October you will be all studied up on marine tanks and your tank will be all setup, cycled, and ready for a nice reef!

I would recommend buying this stuff locally to avoid shipping fees since your on a budget. But you get the idea, $300 can be done very easily if you know what to buy and what will get you to your goal in the long run. I can't tell you how much money I spent (WASTED!) on junk equipment and freshwater tech in the beginning because I just didn't investigate enough and had no clue I was buying the wrong thing.

I wish you the best!