What would be the best tank for me to start out on?

Do you have money or are looking to do this on a budget? There will be ongoing costs as well. I would start out fresh first IMO.
40-75 gallon tank would be nice, craigslist is best place to find deals on used tanks. We can help you with picking out a good deal, filters, and fish stocking.

If you are going to dive in and keep saltwater, do yourself, and your fish/inverts a favor, and read read and then read some more. There is a lot to it, but if you have the patience, the money, and the time, then you could start with a saltwater tank.

Bare minimum to start with, I would say go for bigger... Look at the 30 gallons plus tanks, unless you get a 24 gallon nano cube or something.

start with a complete test kit (SW master kit, calcium and phosphate test), 30 lbs of live rock, lots of flow from powerheads or hang on the back filters, and let the tank fully cycle naturally (go read the sticky thread). While it is cycling, you could research what you want to keep in the tank, and have the environment set up for their care.

I had a very similar situation to you. I used to do the freshwater thing (as a kid growing up)but just about 6 weeks ago got an itch to do the SW thing, thanks to the persuasion of the guy at the local fish store. I made a minor mistake and went a little small with the 8 gal. biocube. Absolutely a great system but just not enough water and less room for error. Now I have a fire shrimp (very cool with personality) red banded goby and damsel. Everything about SW seems better to me and I have never looked back. BB is right in everything he says - make sure youre cycled, and buy a good water test kit. Go for it with the saltwater tank, and keep using the forums they have been a great help to me!

I did most of my research just by searching on the internet and using web sites like this one. Also, by asking alot of ??? when I go into the Local fish store. The only problem with that is that i had so many ?? that I began to wonder if i was annoying! Eventually i want to have a tank of 100 or bigger at home. After seeing my 8 gal. biocube work at my office , i am tempted to get the 29 biocube for home as 1 more step up before moving up to the big boy in a few years! Good luck

Its a small 8 to 30G tank for more advanced reefers.

I would start off with a 40G tank, 2 Koralia 2 Pumps, 35Lb dry rock, 5Lb live, Aragonite sand, Test kits, Refractometer or Hydrometer if calibrated, digital thermometer, Good heater(Ive had a Stealth heater which has kept my aquarium perfect), RO/ RODI unit, and some time.

For a reef add a Calcium and Magnesium test kit, and some lighting.

In reefs definitely bigger is better, more water volume means more room for error in water params.
I try not to parade other sites too much, not sure the etiquite on that, but I find many books can be dated, or lean towards author's own personal techniques, and there are many options.
Most of my up to date knowledge has come from reading on reefcentral.
There is a newbie forum, and most will guide you through.
Bertoni and waterkeeper were the best for giving advice last time I was on there.
If I were to advise someone starting out, I'd say like a 60g is a good size, 1-2 lbs of live rock, powerheads for circulation, good light, maybe T5's, a skimmer.
Sumps are nice as well if you feel comfortable taking it to that level, you'll appreciate it in the long run, but many of my systems at first were sumpless, though now I wouldn't consider going back to that.