I've just got PC lighting on my 10 gal at the moment, planning out a custom ~30 (24" wide) for the near future. Toss up between these lights and the Tek at the moment. I hear the bulbs that come with these aren't the best, but I don't mind buying new bulbs, esp when you consider the Tek costs more and doesn't come with any either.

i know one thing that ususaly gives you an idea of light quality is the colour of your corals and their growth. My mushrooms (red and purple, two hard colours to maintain) have actually gotten deep and brighter since i added these lights. I was going to switch out to guisseman's, but i think i will wait until they actually NEED replacing before i go out and spend another couple hundred bucks on new bulbs.

If I was to do the same as you did with this build what do you think i should modify for using it just as a refugium... im not goin to be running any other filtration through the aquaclear 110 as i have a fluval running to the tank doing the main filtration..any ideas would be great...oh and if it isnt clear im asking where i should put baffles and how many..thanks guys

Tigger 'Pods won't survive unless the temperature stays under 70 F. They are a temperate cold water species that simply can't adjust to tropical temperatures. Great for supplemental feeding though (just don't expect them to breed).

Looks good though, I love the shape of that tank. Best of luck with the Mandarin!