I got a 55g, a nice stand and hood, and some of the basic equipment for around $800 bucks.
If I had it to do again, I could have probably saved a few hundred by getting the tank and stand seperately, and getting exactly what I needed to start a tank. But I jumped in head first.....
I would suggest at least getting a 55g tank. That is considered the smallest size tank for beginners. The bigger the tank, the easier. Reason being, the more the water, the less the drastic changes.
If I had to do it again, (where have I heard that before?), I would have gotten a 100 or 125g tank. The overall cost is not that much more, and you can do so much more with a 125 than a 55g. Anyway, just my opinion......
Welcome to the board and the hobby.