dragoneggs
Well-known member
Well keep in mind this tank is young and I have yet to do scratch damage but I know the time will come. I use a Algae Free Tiger Shark magnet (floating) rated for 3/4in thick acrylic. I clean the pad with fresh water after every wipe which I do about 2 to 3 times a week. Jason advised me to build my stand such that the sand height would be well below the cleanable portion of the 'glass'. The stand has a 3in lip in which tank sits in. This really neat feature keeps my from accidentally dragging into and picking up some fine sand grains... knock on wood here! I also weekly wipe down the outside viewing panes with a soft rag and a bit of acrylic cleaner... make sure you use something specific for acrylic or you could be in big trouble.
I did screw up during plumbing install and somehow splattered some PVC cement on the outside. Jason came over and helped me 'sand/buff' it out but it isn't perfect because the cast acrylic is so optically correct, any sanding will create a slight distortion. It is difficult to see and something that only I notice as only an owner would.
No I am still loving the bottom CL intakes and returns. I still think I could play around with the locline on the returns to tweak the flow but there is always time for that. I really like the way the CL's keep the food/detritus in suspension. Many particles that have settled will eventually get stirred and lifted back into the water column for another chance at the overflow. If I spent some serious time aquascaping I think I could really hide the returns but that would also pretty much eliminate the ability to easily adjust the flow directions. As is is now I have to move one or two relatively small rocks to adjust. I do dread the possibility of having to completely drain my tank should one of the bulkheads fail but not much one can do if that happens. My sump is oversized and placed underneath the tank so it will catch many potential leak locations if a slow leak occurs, hopefully giving me enough time to cap a leak until I can fix it.
I love the rock racks... I would highly recommend them. The racks mean there is very little LR touching the substrate and it not only allows good flow under the rocks but allows me to look completely under the reef to check on fish/invert activity, health, etc and make sure there isn't a big buildup of sand or detritus. My pistol shrimp and watchman goby are usually hanging out together under the rocks and I would probably rarely see my blood shrimp if I didn't have this view.
...too bad a fat fish = healthy fish, and a overweight person =.... whatever im done 
