-Excess dissolved nutrients (Nitrates, phosphates)

- Algae growth due to light (If nutrients are managed adequately this shouldn't be too bad)

- Rigorous feeding schedule

- Relative unavailability of NPS corals (though it is getting better)

- Aquascaping to deal with unusual flow requirements and growth patterns

Here is how I plan on dealing with some of these problems:

Nutrient load: I am planning to use the bacterial driven method here specifically liquid carbon and bacterial dosing daily. This shouldn't be too much of a problem since I'll have to dose micro foods on an almost constant basis. I'll also couple the bacterial system with a BIG skimmer, and throw a few mangroves in for good measure. I will also be very carefully planning the livestock, and at this point am planning exclusively on frogfish, or a combination of frogfish and a rhinopias (the tank has divided compartments in a step down system). It would almost be a biotope tank as the frogfish would be right at home in the sponges and gorgonians.

Algae growth: I would like to limit lighting but I also want great color so I'll probably end up going with an undersized T5 setup suspended further from the water, I'll have a very short "photo-period" mainly just to allow viewing. 

Availability: patience 

Feeding schedule: I recently saw a feeding system using multiple peristaltic pumps in a mini fridge to constantly feed another NPS  tank, it has been a successful system for several years so I plan to pattern my feeding system from this one. 

Aquascaping: This one will be hard, I am tempted to cure the LR in another system to allow it to get covered in coralline algae before putting it into the NPS tank. The other question is that of do I use natural LR (I personally like branch rock or Fiji premium rock) or do I use a man made alternative like marco rock or even cerameco rock. If I go with something artificial should I make it look as natural as possible or go for something more unusual or even "artistic looking"?  

So with all of that please give me your thoughts and constructive ideas below! I would love to have this tank well into being setup by the beginning of May.

Have some equipment stacking up for the tank I'll start posting pics as I start doing the actual design and plumbing now that it's getting warm:

Return Pump- Iwaki 100RLT (this pump will also provide most of the circulation in the tank.

Lighting- 4 PAR 38 style LED pendants

Feed pump- I picked up a peristaltic hospital grade feeding pump along with a mini fridge I'll use to rig up my constant feeding system.

Heater- 500w Titanium element heater

Controller- I'll be adding this system to run on my Reefkeeper until the new Cerebra hits the market... At which time I'll make the switch 

Plumbing- Loc-line is in with 2 eductors to maximize flow, Spaflex for the return pump, and ball valves and unions. 

I'm also playing around with the idea of drilling the tank for a closed loop to add further circulation to each compartment. I'm not sure if I'm quite sold on it yet but am playing with designs.

-Send the stand and light arm for powder coating. It will be done in black and then have stainless steel accents added later (going for the more minimalist modern look)

-Drill the sump and put in a couple baffles

-Pick up another skimmer

-Have the tank buffed out to remove scratches

-Build in tank overflow

Please let the suggestions and ideas fly!

I'm still stuck on this debate between natural LR, or artificial (Eco-rock, Marco rock, or Vida-Rock) I'll try to get some pics of the tank this week and let you all help me decide.

I've also decided I'll be drilling it for a small closed loop, maybe just one outlet in each compartment.

I have all the supplies to begin building my closed loop. Each section will have one output as well as one intake. This will give the tank plenty of flow without having to clutter up viewing space with powerheads. 

I was able to procure a combination of premium Fiji LR as well as some Ceremeco Vida-rock to put in the tank, which is now curing for the next couple weeks. 

I am still undecided on livestock. I am definitely going to have a couple Frogs in there, but I can't decide if I would like to have some other smaller fish as well (in a seperate compartment). I would want them to be deepwater/dark loving fish to match the overall feel of the tank. So if you have any ideas let me know! I was thinking a couple small flashlight fish.