I like big fish/exotics, as much or more than most... Not tryin to harp on you, but (well I guess I am, I used "but") I hope your planning on a tank at least 10 times the size as you current setup (and I still think that would be undersized!) if you plan on putting a dog shark or a giant pacific octopuss in your tank...
I dont have black tip reef sharks or bonnet heads because I had to sell my 7500gallon shark tank while I was sick, I could put them in a 1000gallon tank but I wouldnt want to because I think it would be undersized... mabey 1-2 sharks in a 4000+gallon but thats pushing it...
Personally I dont agree at all with keeping them for awhile in captivity and releasing them in the wild when they get too big, whatever it is, will be at a huge disadvantage when released, weaker than its competition, not as skilled at hunting, not as immune to parasites,bacteria/disease..... the list goes on!!!!!!!!!!! Also Im not sure that we have any laws against harvesting live marine specimins, but I know it is illegal to do so with any species classified as "game" species(unless you have the appropiate fishing liscense). You may have checked already, just giving you a heads up.
Please dont do it...."the big stuff I mentioned"
Best of luck with appropiate species!!!!!!!!
Cheers

Are those strawberry amemones on the top of your stand pipe?

Its a tank with stuff from here in BC.

All of these things are from the beach near my house. I would like to go out to the west coast to get some more interesting things.

Yes I do run a chiller on it. I keep it between 56-60 degrees Fahrenheit. No I have not had any problem with sweating on the glass. Thats something I didn't expect but a I am really happy that there isn't any. Maybe there is enough air flow going through to keep it off. The macro algae started growing in there almost a week after I set up the aquarium. The big clump on the back is about as big as a softball.

You bring up a very good point. I just release the things when they get to big but I never though about the fact they would be smaller, have weaker immune systems and the other things you said. I don't think I will be doing that anymore. As for the octopus and shark I would never have a Giant Pacific Octopus in a tank this size. It would be cool to have but I do not have the resources to keep one. The dog shark would be awesome but again I don't think I would keep one again since what you said about it being at a disadvantage. I also like the bigger fish and other creatures to but I wish I had a bigger tank. On a side note you had a 7500 gallon tank!? Thats awesome. Thanks for the input.

No its just more macroalgae. I kept a small strawberry anemone before and it ate my favorite fish so I have said that I would no longer keep anemones.

Next question.

Matt

Glad to hear you are not having trouble with condensation! I've been struggling with the decision to get an insulated or acrylic tank, but if I can get away with glass.... that would save a lot of $.

What size / model chiller are you running? Do you find it loud?

There is never any condensation on the glass unless you go reeeeaaaalllllyyy close to it and breathe directly onto it. I have this thing. http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...t_ID=ch-pc014i

Its 1/4 horse power CL-650 dual stage. Its not quite in any way but with the lights and main pump its nothing. Also it isn't on all the time.

Matt