Continuation of thread;What would you put in a 72 gallon?

An octopus would be okay, but it wouldn't be a very exciting tank. I prefer a smaller tank for an octopus, simply because it's easier to cover, easier to clean, and you'll see more of the octopus. However, I wouldn't recommend an octopus as a beginner's first critter. If you get a female (highly likely, unless you can collect your own), she will lay eggs and die within a few months--not a great, feel good, experience. An octopus tank must have a secure, tight fitting cover to prevent escape. Corals would be safe, but any inverts or fish would be snacks. Not the best for a large tank.

I would go with a pygmy angel (Potters, or Bicolor), a trio of chalk basslet, maybe one of the hardier butterflies, and then a pile of inverts. I tend to prefer lightly stocked tanks, since you'll see better personalities within the fish.

An octopus would be ok in an established, perfectly-kept 72g aquarium. However, you wouldn't see it too often as it would hide in the rockwork much of the time. You also couldn't keep anything else with it as practically everything is on an octopus's menu.

Are you looking to ultimately have a reef setup or a fish only tank? Are you looking for peaceful fish or more predatory types?

Frogfish need to be kept by themselves because they are difficult to feed. Any tankmates would snatch all the food well before the frog could.

Puffers are a little problematic as most marine puffers get up to the 12" range. You would be best to stick with the dwarf puffers (genus Canthigaster) as these rarely exceed 4-5". The Saddleback puffer and jeweled puffer are both popular options. They do have the aggressive personality of other puffers, though, so plan tankmates accordingly...you will need tougher fish, like dottybacks, to keep them company.

The best thing to do in your situation is pick a centerpiece and work around that fish. Agree with Boogie, that any of the Arthron puffs get way to big for a 72, but there are some beautiful Canthigaster species. My favorites are the Solandri, Blue Dot, Hawaiian Saddle, and Valentini. You could probably also do a Huma Trigger or something of the like. Damsels work well with puffers along with Pseudochromis (larger more pugnacious species like Neon-Aldabrensis, Bicolor, etc), some dwarf wrasse like a Neon or something to the like, pygmy angel (stay away from some of the touchier ones which can include Potters, Bicolor, etc). Stick with ones like the Lemon Peel, Heralds, Rusty, C. argi, among some others. I would do 3-4 other fish other than the puffer (if you go with a Trigger do only the trigger and puff). Hope this helps.

A deep sand bed, a great herd of hermits, and a whole bunch of yellow headed jawfish. I think that all of those little heads popping in and out of the substrate would be a neat sight, and definant conversation piece. Besides, then you'd have the whole mid level and top level to work with.

High maintenance. Not sure about combining the two, as individually these fish are very high maintenance, require peaceful conditions, and can't compete well for food. Sea horses require constant access to small live foods (copopods, live brine) and will starve if not provided with them. Cows need big tanks--these guys can reach 18 inches easily, and those horns shouldn't be damaged by hitting a glass wall.

I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner...I would recommend it for anyone who won't be there to monitor it all the time.