Well boys its all comming together

You might want to look into an automated top off system. Works great for me, I have a 24 gallon storage bin that I fill up with fresh top off water and it sits inconspicuosly in the corner next to my tank with an airline hose run from it to my sump. The setup I have will keep my tank toped off at a consistent level for up to 2 weeks at a time. For my setup I got a $80 controller and sensor system and a $10 mini pump.
 
If you get any fish that are jumpers, you'll want to get some wood to make a rim around your tank so that said fish won't go carpet surfing.

Personally I didn't find my 30 any more difficult than my 50 I have now... just remember with any tank to be carefull with your dosing, feeding, and top off, and don't add too many fish too early and you shouldn't have a problem.
 
You might want to look into an automated top off system. Works great for me, I have a 24 gallon storage bin that I fill up with fresh top off water and it sits inconspicuosly in the corner next to my tank with an airline hose run from it to my sump. The setup I have will keep my tank toped off at a consistent level for up to 2 weeks at a time. For my setup I got a $80 controller and sensor system and a $10 mini pump.

This is exactly what my next project is in a week or two. Did you do exactly what was in that link above? What kind of controller did you get? Any information is greatly appreciated.

Personally I didn't find my 30 any more difficult than my 50 I have now...

I don't either. It's actually less maintenance for me.
 
I got this controller unit and am happy with it.
http://www.petsolutions.com/Auto+Top+Off-I-80937001-I-C-14-C-.aspx

It comes with two water level sensors and plenty of brackets to mount the sensors on the wall of your sump (or where ever you want to put it). Much better than the suction cup models which do not always stay in place. I am running a one sensor configuration right now but it will support using both sensors to provide run dry protection for your dosing pump as well as water level maintenance.

I paired the controller with this cheap dosing pump:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=OE1137

Works ok for my setup where my top off resevoir is right next to my sump but if you are going to run your top off water any significant distance or elevation then I'd probably recommend a beefier dosing pump, my experience is that this thing has a max head of about 20-25".
 
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