Neil,
It looks like you made up your mind on the predator reef tank. But besides going to this website or going to your LFS have you actually done any research on the issue. Have you picked up any books on the types of fish you want and any on reef tanks?
Well, you are getting a very nice fish tank, I myself would love to do a reef in a tank this size but you must remember that you will need roughly 200 pounds of Live rock for this tank. (1.5-2 pounds per gallon) So that is gonna be the biggest cost you will have going for the tank, next to the lights and tank itself.
But this is a typical beginer response, wanting a predator tank. But as Mono and corax has made mentioned, alot of issues with a tank like this. Small lions will also get big. Now if you go the moray route, take it from my experience, i have lost 2 eels (at various times) through climbing out of the tank and duing the carpet crawl. If you think your tank is sealed, check again, they will find a way out. But I am like Corax right now, I have a 75 gallon tank that my girlfriend wants me to turn it into a reef tank, I have all of the equipment on hand, lights, skimmer, filter but I would like to set it up as a Lion fish tank. Its a tough choice, but I am from the school its either or. I had a friend who had a reef tank and did all the cool stuff you are wanting and boy, did they cause problems. Eels, climbing out or eaten by his lion, fu manchu lion fish eating other fish (10 total), Octopus eating all of his snails and hermit crabs. I on the other hand did the reef tank (with compatable fish only) and had an incredible tank. My friend was more envious of my purple rocks and huge corals. The only problem I had was when I moved, the reef crashed. I removed all the live rock and sold it to a LFS (in exchange for the 75 gallon plexiglass tank and other items.).
So my recommendation is before you buy items for your tank, first buy some books. I know alot of people here could recommend some really nice ones.
The Reef Tank Owner's Manual: A Practical Guide to Establishing and Maintaining a Coral Reef Aquarium
by John H. Tullock
Reef Tank Owner's Manual by John H. Tullock
Your First Marine Aquarium: Everything About Setting Up a Marine Aquarium, Aquarium Conditions and Maintenence, and Selecting Fish and Invertebrates (Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals) by John H. Tullock
I am a big fan of this book,
The Reef Aquarium: A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tropical Marine Invertebrates (Volume 1) by J. Charles Delbeek, Julian Sprung, Charles Delbeek, Martin A., Jr. Moe, Peter Wilkens
The Reef Aquarium: A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tropical Marine Invertebrates (Vol 2)
by Julian Sprung, J. Charles Delbeek
whew.. that is a list. I would suggest start reading for your information and if you have any questions, give us a hollar.
jim
