Like everything it depends on budget, the Juwel brand fish tanks with the matching cabinets have been one of the top picks for decades, i remember back in the 90`s lusting after then then and they seem much the same now but they are not cheap, plus you have all the cost of the rest of the stuff.
As for fish, avoid ones that tend to fight alot or get very large.
Best bet is to get some books, there are some really fantastic books out there that get you up to speed in no time and explain it all.