Hey everybody. Starting a thread for my new tank upgrade. Moving out of the Pico forum, into the Members forum, with all the cool kids. 
I've been meaning to start this thread for a while, but am only just now getting around to it. Please forgive the huge post.
Current Tank
So my first tank (in my signature) has been up for about 7 months, and I've been planning this upgrade for about 2. My pico is an older 4 gallon CAD Lights Model and I hate it. It's pretty nice looking, but the removable filter section isn't water tight and it's more of a pain than a benefit. And mostly, I don't think Pico aquariums are for me - at least not at this point. There's just not enough wiggle room for maintenance or scaping for my level of skill/time input. And so, I'm moving up to a bigger tank.
New Tank
My new tank will be a mixed reef, with a focus on soft corals and LPS, with some SPS. The tank and sump were custom built by Oceans By Design in Renton, WA. The DT is about 10 gallons, with two holes drilled in the bottom for a herbie-style overflow, and one for the return, which splits off and empties out from two sides of the center overflow box. The front and side panels are starphire glass, the back glass is blacked out, and I opted for black silicone.
The sump is something like 25 gallons total volume, but will run around 15 gallons. The DT will empty out into the first section for the skimmer and overflow through some baffles into the return section. The return pump will be T'ed to return both to the DT and into the neighboring refugium section. That section will then overflow back into the return. Pretty much the standard sump setup for those wanting independent control over the flow and level of the refugium. The sump is all acrylic. I opted for no filter socks, but did get a built in probe holder.
The new tank will be sitting on a custom built stand. I designed the stand (and hopefully the sump) to accommodate a 90 gallon DT, not a 10 gallon DT. This has the immediate benefit of added stability for my current 10 gallon DT, while hopefully allowing me to upgrade to a 90 gallon DT with most of my current equipment once I get my own house, hopefully a year or two from now.
At this point, I've accumulated almost all of my equipment. The only thing missing is lighting. Not 100% sure on what I'm going to do for that. I previously tried my hand at DIY LED and unfortunately my soldiering didn't work out so hot. I may try again with soldierless LEDs, jury is still out.
For filtration, I am going to start out relying on the skimmer, chaeto in the refugium, and bags of Chempiure/Carbon in the sump. If it looks like the corals need it, I'll look at adding carbon/GFO reactors, but my goal is to keep things as simple as possible. Not aiming for an ultra low nutrient system here.
Full Equipment List
Lighting: TBD, possibly DIY soldierless LED
Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 5
ATO: Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 Auto Top Off
Return pump: Eheim Universal 1200
Heater: Eheim Jaeger 75W
Powerhead: Vortech MP10W ES
Controller: Neptune Apex with Lab Grade PH, Vortex Wireless Module
Additional filtration: Chaeto in the refugium, Chemipure/Carbon in a filter bag in the sump. May upgrade to a reactor later.
Dosing Pump: TBD once corals need it. Currently eyeing the Bubble Magus one.
Fish/Inverts
Must haves:
Firefish - It's my girlfriends favorite fish and I've promised her one.
Skunk cleaner shrimp - I currently have one named Dyson, and he'll be making the transition.
3x Sexy Anemone Shrimp - I currently have these guys, and they'll also be moving. If they don't get along with new tank mates, I'll move them to the refugium.
Feather duster - I currently have one, but he is much smaller than he used to be. My cleaner shrimp Dyson attacked him several times while I watched in horror. Not sure that Dyson was hunting him, but he happened to run into him and then went for him. I'll be moving the feather duster to my refugium to keep him safe from Dyson.
Possibilities:
Tail spot blenny - so adorable. Want.
Mocha clown - Veng's are cool and both my girlfriend and I want at least one. But the new DT is still pretty small swimming space wise and we're not prepared to make one of these guys our only fish, so this is probably a no-go.
Neon gobies - really like these guys. Had a pair of the hybrid ORA ones in my Pico briefly, but they didn't make it. Would love to try again.
Yellow clown goby - also a cute fish. Had one in my Pico briefly, but she didn't make it. She was just a baby and I was just a newb, would love to try again.
A bunch more I'm currently forgetting for some reason, feel free to give me some ideas.
Corals
Must haves:
Ricordea Florida/Yuma - I have a few of these in my pico and will be carrying them over. Definitely hope to expand my collection in the new DT as well.
Zoas/Palys - I have a couple frags in my pico that I've been letting grow out. Will definitely transfer these guys, and expand my collection.
Blastos - these are awesome. I've currently got a one-big-polyp colony in my pico that will be moved. Hope this guy will grow out, may add more variety.
Orange Rhodactis - I've got one of these guys on a frag rack in my pico that I'll be moving over.
Various other mushrooms - lots of really cool ones I've seen for sale lately, especially on ReefGardener. Will be adding some more.
Posibilities:
Acans - these remind me of blastos, which I now love, and I hope to add some.
GSP - I have some in my pico. It's taken over a large rock. If I can find room for a small secluded colony in my new DT, I'll move a frag there. Otherwise, I'll banish this to my refugium and possibly re-home for good.
Pulsing Xenia - I have a bunch in my pico, it's thrived the most (surprise, surprise). I'll move this to my refugium and possibly re-home for good. Very unlikely I'll put any in my DT. I love it, but it just takes up too much space and I'm not experienced enough to scape around it.
Chalice - Had a beautiful Hollywood stunner chalice frag I got on sale for $10 that died. I regret losing it and would love to try again
Duncans - they're awesome.
Dendros - also awesome, but not sure I can keep up with the feedings.
Euphyllia of some sort - depending on scaping. They're all very pretty but I'm not sure I have the scaping skills to make one fit in a friendly way. Would love a golden torch.
Birdsnest - maybe
Acro - maybe
Stylo - maybe
Bunch more I'm forgetting
Clams
Zeph has taught me the beauty of clams and I want one. I will be leaving room in my scape for one. A local LFS has had a small grey maxima for sale for months now and it's really grown on me, even though it's not that colorful. If she's still up for sale when my tank is nice and stable, I'll probably pick her up. If not, I'll order something online. Probably a PEA "your pick".
Current Status
Right now I'm still building the stand. I've just finished the frame, and am moving onto skinning/painting. Once that's done, I'll move the stand in and start setting everything up.
I'm still trying to figure out the best move plan for my pico. I've got a bunch of dry BRS rock to scape the new DT with, and I'd like to seed it with my current live rock. My thought was I'd setup the new rock in the DT, then add all my current rock to the refugium section of my sump to seed. I'm not sure if this would trigger a new cycle though. And I'm not sure if I should move my sand as well. The other possibility is I just seed the dry rock with a piece of my current live rock, wait for a full cycle, then move the rest of the rock over.