I cannot tell you how helpful these tank of the month articles are.
I havent had a tank set up since college, I worked at a lfs back then. So much has changed in 7 years. The one thing that I know is to research before you start one of these back up. You have to decide what you want and then figure out all of the equipment you will need. My family doesn't understand that after we filled the tank we don't go to the lfs and pick out some fish, and that was 6 weeks ago...
The December tank was very impressive, and the description was well written thanks a lot. [I have never seen a tank that nice in person]