Best Tripod for d3000

It's a bitter pill, but you are receiving good advice.  Go to Thom Hogan's website and read his post on tripods.   Much truth there.   I do think an amateur can get an "acceptable" tripod and head for as little as $150 - $200 as long as you aren't using a big body and really heavy/long lenses.   Not  an optimal tripod, but serviceable, if you shop carefully, and stick with something like Manfrotto.

Remember, this:   There are three important parameters with a tripod and head:

Light Weight

Sturdiness/Stability/Vibration Resistance

Low Price.

Within reason, you can have any combination of TWO of these factors.  You cannot have all three at once.