Rockwork and Sand gone. New rock in. Bare Bottom.
The rocks on the glass are flat rocks laying on the PVC legs. It gives all the fish a few more caves to hide in and doesn't disrupt flow much. Fish seem content. The leopard wrasse is having a blast exploring everything. They all seem to love the big cave. It's done exactly what I wanted -- given all the fish more room to swim, while simultaneously giving me more room for coral. Win/Win.
None of the coral are placed yet, i'm waiting for the UWC AEFW killer to ship. I am getting it early, I will be posting an honest review. But UWC being happy with a review and willingly giving it out to people who are in dire need of it definitely passes the sniff test... Companies with something to hide don't look forward to reviews.
Anywho...
Front
Right Side
The Right side is my typical view of the tank (from my desk). The pictures aren't great, the new rock is pretty white, as is the plastic reef welder on the PVC, and of course the bits of PVC itself showing.
I used a bit of sand paper on the PVC prior to allow algae and coralline to grow. I'm guessing the exposed bit will look ugly for a month or two, and the bottom parts that get little light will look ugly for 3-6 months. But I don't really care... If you can't wait 6 months for something you're in the WRONG hobby.
Speaking of... My corals been on the frag rack for 1/4 year, getting mercilessly fragged to keep it from overgrowing one another. It'll be nice to finely give them some space to breathe. Just gotta wait for that UWC to show up, and see if the first dose does as advertised. If it does as it should, and AEFW fly off immediately upon first dose, I'll be placing corals that day