It's crazy how much less rock you need if you use rods to set it up!
I have a coral banded also that likes to make swipes at my fish. He was nice and behaved when I first got him, but he was only about 2" long. Now that he's all grown up he thinks he can take on my tenneti tang and me! If I'm not careful, I'll get a pinch while moving around corals.
Glad your fish like the change! I know it's stressful rearranging rock work!