Funny that you mention... we were [thisclose] to going with a black background for this tank but I ended up changing my mind at the last minute. I haven't regretted it in the slightest. The colour palette we'd chosen for our house is on the darker side and I felt that black background may have been a bit too dark. The blue brings out the color of the corals and fish almost as well as the black would.

As for the skimmer.... this is by far my favorite piece of equipment I'd purchased for this tank. I bought it gently used from another canreefer and luckily for me the gentleman who owned it before me (and the gentleman before him) took excellent care of it. It was pretty much brand new and I saved myself hundreds off of the retail price tag. I do not regret this purchase at all. There's a very good reason why these skimmers rarely show up for sale in canreef's classified section. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time I guess. It is a bit oversized for this 180 gal but at least I don't have to worry about adding too much livestock in the long run. It is kind of laughable that all it's skimming for ATM is one lonely clownfish and a few shrimp, :lol:, but at least my mind is at ease. We all know that means the world in reefkeeping!

I have to agree with you on the Super Marine being my favourite piece of equipment also although my Radions are close! Mine is the 200 model and presently doing an awesome job on my 120g before it gets put on my 180g. I was told by a few people that I wouldn't notice much of a difference over my Alpha cone but its a huge difference so it was money very well spent.

Added a couple fish:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMG_3986.jpg

And a sump picture:
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMG_3991.jpg

Just a small update. We started getting the stand done. The door/stand cover is drying in the garage ATM.

In this pic you can kind of see our newest addition, a beautiful sailfin tang we got from another canreefer (Thank-you, he's fitting is very well)

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMG_4103.jpg

Here's a blurry closeup pic:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMG_4088.jpg

Wow, that looks so beautiful!! What a great set up! Love the sail fin, red coral had one I was keeping an eye on, but sold....:sad: how's the CBB doing?

Oh he's great! Couldn't be happier with him. He's my favorite fish. Ever since I was a little girl and I got a little national geographic copperband butterfly figurine from Dairy Queen, I've always wanted one. I just wish they would get along because then I would have about 10 of them :)

He eats mysis, bloodworms, mussels sometimes and plankton. I can't get him to eat pellets or flakes unfortunately but as long as he eats I am happy. Thanks for asking! :biggrin:

Just a little update:
 

Woke up at 6:30 AM on my only sleep in day this week. Great. So I took a few photos of what's been going on around here:

Painted the cabinetry for the stand and didn't like the color:
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMG_4109.jpg

So I decided to paint it again with a bit more character:
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMG_4128.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMG_4127.jpg

Got a new RO/DI unit from BRS:
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMG_4124.jpg


And here's a pic of the three amigos for fun. They just woke up in this pic. I guess I'm the rooster today :) :
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMG_4131.jpg

I'm gonna say it again, wow! That's beautiful, love the final look of the stand! You must be so happy with how it all turned out! I've been thinking of doing my stand lighter as well, haven't decided yet! I've also just got an ro unit, added a tds meter and water coming out is 0, going in is at 114.

Now to start loading it up with fish and corals! Your 3 amigos need some buddies!

the stand does indeed look killer!.....love the "aged" look

love that stand too! Im going to be starting mine soon for the 225