SuncrestReef

I also used them when I had XR30's. Like @Bicyclebill said, they make a big difference. You'll take about a 10%-20% on PAR, but I just turned up the intensity and made up for it.

Do you have a display module with your Apex? If so, I'd recommend using the display to reset it to factory defaults (under System...Init Memory...Init All). Once it's back to defaults, then walk through the standard instructions for setting up a new Apex. This might also solve the firmware update problem. I'm in New York for a week, but let me know if you run into problems. I'll be online periodically.

While waiting for my flight at PDX, I admired this “tank” near gate D9:

In June 2018 I mounted a NuVision Windows tablet inside my Reefer cabinet door, and left it plugged in and powered on at all times with no screen timeout. Today I found the tablet screen was blank, and upon inspection I found the tablet itself was hot and swollen. The battery is likely damaged and I removed the tablet from the house just in case it catches fire. I'm glad I caught this before I leave today for a week long trip.

I used my aiptasia laser to kill a bunch of clove polyps. As long as you have a line of sight to them from outside the tank, it's easy to zap them.

@albertareef It looks like the process has changed since the membership list was cleaned up. The store page is now blank, but if you click your username at the upper right, then select Manage Subscriptions, you will see the options to sign up. Maybe we should make a general announcement about this change?

Here's a video showing the new wrasse. It's still a bit shy, but starting to come out from behind the rocks more and more each day.

Thanks to everyone for the comments and opinions. We spend the majority of our time at home in the living room and/or at the round table just off the kitchen. The new bar will only be used primarily when entertaining guests, so placing the tank there would be in the place it will least often be seen. We never just sit on the couch across from our current tank. I like up-close views so I spend tons of time standing right in front of it and looking very closely at everything, or using my camera to shoot macro photos. During the day I spend a lot of time on my laptop sitting at the round table, so from there I'll have a great view of the left side and an angled view of the front, and since it will be 3' on the end that's still a pretty good view. As for repairing after removing an in-wall tank, keep in mind my wife's concern is if something happens to me, then the whole process is on her to resolve. By having a free-standing tank, that's less stress on her. It took a year to get her to buy in to this plan...I'm not about to re-open that can of worms now that I have approval to move forward.

Here's a video of my torch spawning last year. Wait for the big burst at 1:20. We should get yours and mine together...

I made a few changes to improve the fish room position so it's now directly behind the tank. For those of you wondering why I didn't choose an in-wall aquarium, the reason I settled on my current design was due to negotiations with my wife. Since this is going to be a very expensive project, she is concerned about the resale value of the house and return on investment. After consulting with our realtor we decided to have the aquarium free standing so it could be removed easily without requiring major reconstruction. The small bathroom was also a requirement which is why I reduced the original size of the fish room. Beyond the overall architecture, I haven't yet started the official design process of the fish room. I'm going to leave my mixing station in the garage and run plumbing through the attic into the new fish room for auto water changes and ATO. I also plan to have the sump in the fish room rather than under the tank, along with a frag tank, utility sink, storage cabinets, and a desk for my microscope and where I can do water tests. Of course it will have a floor drain, mildew-resistant drywall, and maybe a dehumidifier. I'll reach out for input once I have a basic plan for the fish room equipment. Here's a walkthrough video:

Here's a list of a few free options: https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/renovate/design/a28461218/best-free-home-interior-design-tools-apps-software/ I originally rented Home Designer Pro for a month at $49. After using it for several weeks, I liked it so much that I ended up purchasing it when it was on sale for $250, and they gave me credit for the rental fee on the purchase.

I honestly thought alien abduction was the most logical explanation. 👽

I use Home Designer Pro, by Chief Architect: https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/products/home-designer-pro/ It's pretty impressive software. I reproduced my entire house all the way down to the doorknobs, trim moldings, and tile textures. Did I need to do that? No. 🤓

I've been using ICP-Analysis.com based in Colorado. Results are usually available 48-72 hours after they receive your sample. I usually send via standard US mail for $2.15, so I typically get results 6 days after I mail the sample. Here's my latest test from last week:

According to the press release the US lab just opened yesterday.

I'll probably look into Custom Aquariums since @Higher Thinking recently got his and it's the same dimensions I want.

No more long waits and international postage required for Triton ICP tests. They have a new facility in Los Angeles offering 48 hour results and free USPS shipping. See https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/triton-applied-reef-bioscience-us-lab-officially-opens-with-free-return-shipping-on-icp-oes-water-analysis.752/

One year ago I posted a thread about planning an addition on our house including a fish room and larger new aquarium: It's been a long negotiation process, but I finally convinced my wife to agree to this project! I have made several revisions to my original plans, but here's the latest design. The addition will add a large 35'x20' room (700 sq feet) onto the back of the house with a large triangular multi-level deck, a built-in BBQ, and a hot tub. Inside the addition will be a 6-seat bar, a full 9' pool table, a half bathroom, a dedicated fish room, and a 8'x3' 360 gallon display tank! The fish room will be roughly 70 sq feet. I need to finalize a few design details, then contract with a builder. I have no idea on the timeframe for construction yet, but I hope to have things in place for the next summer BBQ party! Here are some renderings:

@obrien.david.j How many square feet of space will this fish room give you?

This one? It's a WWC Yellow Tips. Growing like a weed!

I turned on the lights at night for this shot, so all the fish are sleeping and some of the LPS corals are retracted.

I like the 2" thick tree core on the left in the photo. Will that be part of your aquarium build?