I placed a couple dry rocks in the bottom of the tank, then scooped cups of rinsed sand around it:
[IMG]http://janayeakel.com/graphics/Reef-Tank/063.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://janayeakel.com/graphics/Reef-Tank/065.jpg[/IMG]
Then I added the new live rocks I brought back from the LFS and filled with 15 gals. of Catalina Sea Water:
[IMG]http://janayeakel.com/graphics/Reef-Tank/066.jpg[/IMG]
I only wanted an inch of sand, but it came out to almost 2" using...

OK, I finally have the time to get this baby going!

1. I took off the protective plastic on the new tank and removed all the bio balls in the back area. I will replace with live rock & chaeto algae to use as a rufugium. I also removed the filter sponges on the right back.
[IMG]http://janayeakel.com/graphics/Reef-Tank/045.jpg[/IMG]

2. I took the tank outside to test with water & power. No leaks, pump works great...Quiet! (I'm sure the rubber feet...

The NAC 5.5 is doing its job well. It took a while to break in but is now producing the thick nasty.

Time to get going! I initially purchased the following:[LIST][*]55 Gal. Clear for Life Uniquarium, black bkgd (36' x 18"d x 20"t)[*]Rio 1700 642gph Pump (included with aquarium)[*]40 lbs. CaribSea SeaFlor Special Grade Reef Sand[*]Live purple rock from LFS system (2 lg, 2 sm)[*]Live rock rubble for refugium[*]36" Current TrueLumen Pro LED Lightstrip Kit (1-12,000K white/453nm Actinic strip & 1-453nm Atinic strip plus dimmers, splitter, brackets & power)[*]45 gals Catalina...

The 2 main reasons for upgrading from a 28 gal Nano Cube to a 55 gal Uniquarium are more gallons (Nano is busting at the seems with coral!), and having a fresh new start (no inherited problems). Plus I want to switch to LED lighting, the Metal Halide I have now runs my electricity up & is too hot, so my air conditioning and fans run more. During these So Cal hot months this year my 2 mo. Electric/water bill went up from $320. to $717.! Ouch!

Reasons for the Uniquarium choice:[LIST][*]I...