Jim

Probably a good plan. I don't think one source of flow is ideal. Nice equipment, your tank is going to be very nice. I'd like to have that extra 12" of sandbed even if I didn't put anything on it.

I have a 36x24x24 90 Gallon and I can tell you from experience that you'll need another MP40 or some other powerhead eventually. You can probably get away with just one until things start to grow in.

I'll vouch for the color with one exception, the green slimer looks better under LED. Can't comment on growth as I was just there on Wednesday and again today.

It blew my mind a bit. The website doesn't show even 10% of what they have in the store. There will be a couple of nice colonies in my checked bag when I fly back tomorrow.

I agree. I was impressed by the Radions. If I was in the market for a commercial fixture that is what I'd pick.

I was at Vivid Aquariums on Wednesday and they are running a Radium vs. Radion experiment. I honestly could not tell the difference between the two. They have SPS growing on the sandbed on both sides and a nice chunk of the same red tabling acro on both sides. I'm a DIY'er, but to me it seems like Ecotech is on to something. A very expensive something. http://www.vividaquariums.com/aquariumLightExperiment.asp

You should wear gloves and goggles; better safe than sorry. Either way be careful, because muriatic acid is pretty potent. If you search muriatic on reef central you can find a lot of good information.

I have had great success with muriatic acid to help with rock that was leaching phosphates. I've never had to use bleach, but on RC a lot of people use bleach to kill everything and then acid to remove it. The rock comes out looking fantastic.

I'd keep it simple and go with 1 400 watt MH. If you want two points of light then I'd go with 2 250's, 2 400's would be a LOT of light. If you add stunners be prepared to not notice them at all with the main lights on, they would provide nice actinic pop once the MH shuts down though.

Is that the orange with green tips birds nest from ORA? I get very fast, almost unmanageable, growth out of it. Very nice growth shots, always nice to see progress.

I only use Ebo/Eheim Jager heaters, but anything mechanical can break no matter how much success you've had with it in the past. A failed heater would be a very painful "told you so" moment, especially considering how cheap a simple temperature controller is. I have mine plugged into an Apex, but if I didn't have a controller I would use a Ranco or something similar. A simple controller isn't much added complexity, but it is a nice bit of insurance.

I think a tank of the quarter makes more sense. It's less often and it could be announced at the meetings or something.

If you don't have the return pump running yet that will cause the water level to rise a bit. This tank will clear up nicely, everything you've seen so far is normal. If you want to eliminate all of the debris quickly just add a filter sock to the overflow and run your skimmer for a bit after you put salt in.

Is there any bowing at the center of the tank?

Great shots. It looks like you have your brain up in the rocks. I've always read that they should be in the sand to help avoid injuries to their flesh. Of course ymmv, and it looks good either way.

Do any of the local vendors carry the New Era line of foods? I'd like to give them a try.

How has the pump performed? I'm not worried about the pump life since I'll only use them 1-2 minutes a day.

I was stuck in a 4 day sand storm in Iraq in 2005. I still find sand when I go through any of my old gear.

I should have said 3-5 watt. Just going to run my LEDs in parallel.

I plan to redo my LED fixture this weekend and am looking for a local source for 1 OHM 5W resistors and 1 A fuses like these: Resistors Fuses Anybody have a source?

Bill, Any reason you picked warm whites over neutral whites? Jim

Basser, do you have a source for the violet LEDs. I've searched a bit, but have been unsuccessful so far.

Paul, how high above the water do you normally hang your light?

I have a 36" x 24" x 24" 90G SPS tank that is currently lit by 30 CREE XR-E CW and 30 CREE XR-E RB. I have the LEDs divided on two heatsinks, one has 18 RBs and 18 CWs the other has 12 RBs and 12 CWs all on non-dimmable drivers. They are both mounted around 8" - 10" off the water with 60 degree optics. I have never been entirely happy with the spread of light or the actual appearance of the fixtures, but my main complaint is the color of the light and the coral. I have great growth, but I am not entirely satisfied with the CW + RB combo, which seems to be a common complaint. After reading the big LED aesthetics thread I

Did it break into a few pieces or a million pieces? Just wondering if it was tempered. I've always had very good luck drilling everything except 10 gallons. Those have been a bit hit or miss.