ah yes I know the feeling what fish/coral to get 1st. your doing good talking about it and coming up with a plan before you go.
lots of ppl get in trouble by just popping in and falling in love with X fish or Y coral only to find it out that it has a very bad success rate or to big for thee tank.
so good on you for talking is over with the community.
some suggestions:
use the search tab and check out other ppl 40br to see what they stocked , scape ideas and coral. I use the search button all the time its a great feature!
for corals I would suggest some gorgs IMHO I think they are way over looked in the hobby.
same with some macros algae. they eat up N &P add color and just look dang cool. a few select macros really make the take pop. again that my options tho..
next I also really really like mini-max and rock flower nems. there hardy dont move to much or at all (altho they can I hear ) and come in to amazing colors.
I am also I big fan of softies...i know i know...unless you got the latest named $200+ per inch SPS your not cool. haha but I think softies add alot to the tank they flow... with well the flow there there are some really cool ones out there. to be honest there harder to find than the rare SPS.
for fish I like a wrasse or two in there. a fire fish, a goby. its a smallish tank but you do still have a bit of options.
i'll leave you with one of my all time favorite tanks. its a R2R member
@MJC just a perfect example of a mixed reef. its not a 40br but still very worth the watch.
