I don't have a reef tank but have been infatuated with them since the early 90's.
After alot of research, the attraction then to me was the hobby was far ahead of the professional/scientific community. I decided I really wanted a reef tank. As a kid I managed a tropiocal fish store in Los Angeles, so I knew almost everything about fresh water. But before diving in I purchased and read every book I could find on the subject. I found a couple reef geek guys working in the LFS's and paid them to just have their undivided attention for hours. In 1994, knowlegable but still no reef tank, I attended a reef conference hosted by the Desert Marine Society in Arizona. All the big names were there: Dr Addy, Sprung, Delbeek, Tullock, Frakes, Herstitch, Thiel, and Moe. I was enthralled at the debate as to what was the best practice and "cutting edge" ideas. Just as today, industry and the scientific community are behind this very unique "hobby". After all that time and money spent I realized I did not have the time or funds to devote to a reef tank.
Many years passed and I stumbled onto this wonderful site. I was facinated to see how far the hobby has come and I am still obssesed. This site is quite overwhelming as it has so much information.
I was attempting to go through the topics to see what was new and trendy now, when I found the big tank build thread. At first, I flew through all the big build threads just look to at the pictures, (I like most of us like pictures) and then for some reason I decided to read yours from start to finish. (actually, I read the "reef in the sky" thread first, very cool thread as well)
Anyway, as a pure observer and critic from the peanut gallery, your tank build thread is cutting edge. Don't take this wrong but your actual tank is almost secondary compared to the whole documented/thread on this site. As a spectator, from the outside looking in, I am totally digging this whole thing!
It's been said before but your vision (and i don't mean just the tank) from the start has already been accomplished, ie; the masters, input from the pros and everone else, keeping the integrity of the thread, responding to all, and best practice.
Any guy or gal with the funds could have written the check and ended up with a big L shaped reef tank, but not you.
Thanks, I've enjoyed every page.
Mark.
ps, The most important part is yet to come as far as how the whole thing will look, which is the corals. I have seen pictures of your garden and your wife had to have a similar vision as well. After the hardscape was completed she had to decide on what kind of plants to plant and where, with the knowledge of what they would look like when they grew up. You might want to consult her on the coral placement!
pss, When I finally build my tank, I will have five masters.
Although not in order, now on to a start to finish read on ChingChai's build.
