Greggy,
I bought myself a 7gal bowfront to start the new year. I upgraded the lights to 28W PC lighting, and it is now starting week 5 of the cycle. I did not add any LR from my main tank, just used a silverside to start the cycle. I added about 2" of fine aragonite sand and about 13lb of dry CaribSea rock. Evaporation is minimal. I really like the look of the tank, and it sits right next to my computer. The only problem is when I try to connect to the internet, and if the light is on, I get a slower connection speed.
The tank should finish the cycle in the next week or 2, already have a minor diatom bloom. I can hardly wait to start adding stuff from the main tank. I went with this tank for 3 reasons: 1 - it is glass. 2 - It comes with a hood that was easily retrofited for lighting. 3 - I like the looks of the tank. I have seen 2 of them at different pet shops, and had to have one.
I plan on adding corals like mushrooms, xenia, yellow polyps, a small gorgonian, button polyps, frogspawn, star polyps, maybe a colt coral, leather corals, and some razor caulerpa. I would like to get an orange cup coral if I can find a nice piece also. If I add fish, maybe a firefish or something similar in size.
You should check out nanoreef.com. They have retrofit kits, and even some tanks with sumps in the back. They also have a forum for their members.
Hope this helps.