My evo is nearing nine months old. It takes a while to reach stability, but when it does, it's a beautiful tank. I definitely recommend the intank media baskets, both chambers 1 and 2. It's a little costly, but it is no doubt one of my best decisions I made for my reef.
The first month for my tank was a trainwreck. I did little to no research, and ignored every expert's advice. I lost all of my fish and paid the price (quite literally $$$) severely. After that, I took a few weeks and did a lot of research and asking questions to develop knowledge.
Since then, I've gained much experience and knowledge in reefing, and have a thriving, successful aquarium. It truly is a learning experience that takes plenty of time. Heck, I still learn something new every day on this forum!
The best advise I could give for the fluval evo, and any tank, is to QUARANTINE ALL FISH! It sounds like you are on the right track with planning a QT tank, but I cannot stress enough the consequences of letting a fish slip past medication. You never know what the fish you buy has, even if the lfs says it has been quarantined. Unlike freshwater parasites, saltwater parasites are nasty and belligerent, and the ocean contains a lot more unwanted diseases.
Best of luck with this tank, and I will definitely be following along. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I'll be glad to help.
