thanks a bunch guys. i really appreciate hearing that, since my wife and i are really the only ones who see it.
dvanacker - the tunze streams forced it to a BB look. now, i do vacuum sand regularly (once monthly) when doing water changes so it is slowly going BB, but i've already been down that road so i will be putting sand back in. that flat rock is just shelf rock from a local fish store. thanks! i got some nice pieces for a good price.