lastlight's 34g solana
 

I like to usually build a false sense excitement with some sort of a drawn-out build thread but I haven't had to build anything this time around. Currently doing a freshwater test and ordering a few loose odds and ends before I get this rig salty.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/solana1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/solana2.jpg

I tried ordering a new Solana today with the SunPod 250w but the LFS no longer wants to carry these tanks. This was the floor model so I'm currently pimping the disco ball but I'm actually loving it now. In time I plan to upgrade to a real skimmer and get more powerful lighting but not right now.

The stock pump seems to have startup issues so I may toss my Eheim 1250 in there instead but already these tiny little overflow teeth are just keeping up with this pump (which is very quiet at least).

I have no idea how old the bulb is or even what kind it is so I may swap that out too. I've never researched 150w bulbs so if anyone has advice for me I'd appreciate it.

For some reason Ive always loved these tanks disco ball and all lol For 150w I used aqua connect 14k de's and really really liked them. I know radium make there 20k in 150w but not sure if it compares to their 400W bulb.

Good luck with the new tank, you just might motivate me to get one of these bad boys finally!

Cheers
Ray

Ray when I sell the tank next month you have first dibs I promise =)

ha ha Thanks Brett! Im sure youll keep this tank for a while. What you planning on keeping in it?

Ive always ben a big fan of theses tanks too
http://www.current-usa.com/cardiff.html

I like it. Has the modern decor look. What color stand did you get with it ? For the bulb I would jsu get a 14k Phoenix or Aqua Connect.

I wanted espresso finish but this one is the 'modern light' finish and I like it.

I've run AC 250 14k and it was an awesome bulb. Same quality in this wattage? I was going to run the Phoenix 250w in the SunPod since it's a good and cheap bulb and I wondered if the 150w version was also good. Both are good choices?

I'll start slow with a few lps but this tank will eventually be mostly SPS if the lighting allows it.

I'm running a AC 150 14k over my 33g, I like it. I would compare it to my AC 400's 14k I have on my 150g.

I ran The AC 150w's and had tons of growth and great color! I had mainly LPS and a few SPS in the top half of my 24" deep tank. I have never ran the Phoenix 150'9s tho and from what Ive read their 250 bulb is much better than the 150 bulb(according to RC threads)

I was having troubles reading the label on the ballast which i mounted on the back of the tank. That is until I remembered I can swivel my disco ball to hang over the back of the tank!

Turns out this is an m81 ballast (hqi) so I'm going to try out the radium 20k (which runs best on hqi) which I read is very intense with not a ton of blue but nice coloration of the tank.

love the cowbell.

phoenix bulb is a good choice, very intense blue for the first while. Really gives the lacking color when you don't have actinics. last 3 bulbs have been phoenix 14k 150w on my tank

Pretty soon you're going to end up with a 1.5g pico. And then where will your chaetoballs roll free?

Since all your creative juices weren't exhausted on desiging this build, I'm expecting some schweet stuff inside that glass box!


edit: Hope your wife is doing much better!

Another build with the type of attention to detail some can only aspire to.

Looks great and style points all around.

Nice orb!

http://fusionanomaly.net/sleeperbigorb.jpg

Still doing my freshwater test while I wait for the following to arrive (wait is KILLING ME):

Tunze 9002
Custom Collection cup to fit Solana
Tunze Osmolator
Tunze 6025
BRS 2-part Chems, RO/DI membrane
150w Radium 20k

The done list:

Wired up my new Ranco temp controller today (had sold old one along with my Osmolator when I shut down the last tank). There were a few extra steps/parts since I made a mistake and ordered the 24V (not 120V) version but it's keeping my tank temp perfectly now.

Removed stock pump and have a dead silent (and cooler) MJ600 in there now.

Added sand after a thorough rinsing. Sand is CaribSea and is a nice mix of finer grains with some coral/shell bits.

Wired and attached moonlights. Not sure of the brand but there are 3 LEDS which are tie-wrapped to part of a black plastic coat hanger piece. This is in turn tie-wrapped to the pendant arm.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/moonlight1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/moonlight2.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/moonlight3.jpg

Guts of my stand not as clean and organized as my old one and i totally don't care =) I plan to frost the glass so my shameful pile of cords is hidden. Will have a small topoff reservoir on the bottom shelf...fancy tupperware or something.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/cabinet.jpg

Looks great Brett!

Thanks!

Got my Osmolator hooked up and doing its thing with a dead sexy ice-cream pail for a reservoir. Tunze includes nice magnet mounts rather than the old ladder/screw style ones I previously had. Big improvement although I carelessly had both magnet halves in my hand and forgot for a moment...nice blood blister on my finger now where they came together.

My skimmer is waiting for a collection cup that fits in this tank. I quickly plugged it in and the Tunze Silence pump in the thing is very quiet so already a step up from stock. The air intake seems really loud but I think I got water in it so hopefully when it dries out and the unit is in salt water it'll be quieter.

Still waiting for the BRS stuff so I can get salty. I'm not a patient person!

Who are you and what have you done with Brett!? :lol:

Congrats buddy... Looks awesome where it is... Now you got me thinking about doing one in the new place next month..

Josh this MAMMOTH tank is a whopping 20" high. I don't think as an ex-shallow reefer you can even entertain the notion =)

On a serious note...you def need to keep your chaetoBalls salty so DO IT UP.

well this is one seriously kicked up little cube!.......lookin schweeeeeeeeet mang:biggrin:

I also agree that Josh's cheatoballs should stay salty:mrgreen:

I'm not sure I like the idea of 2 grown men talking about my 'balls... :eek:

Really :lol: I am shocked. :twised:

Grown men? I wouldn't describe either of us that way Josh!

Grown does not equal mature. :lol:

New skimmer cup came today...got my 9002 neatly hidden in the first chamber of the tank ready to go! BRS order is out for delivery and then it's ro/di time. BOOYEAH.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/steviet1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/steviet2.jpg

Almost there... Can't wait to see life in there.. :mrgreen:

You talkin' bout my chaetoDrawers son?

Ok where are they?Pics of the rocks you got, not the drawers :) um I can see where this is going. Anyways looks like you got some nice pieces.

ya I expected to see scape pics by now Brett!........or did you spend the whole night trying to get it back the way you had it at the shop?:razz:

[quote=lastlight;512300]Still doing my freshwater test while I wait for the following to arrive (wait is KILLING ME):

Brett,

Honestly.... I think you are the most patient reefer out there. :biggrin:
Can't wait to see what fishy's you pick. :wink:

:lol: "Patient" ... hmmmmmm. No, not going to say another word.

qft!

Someone was up really late last night getting the first aquascape just right. After watching for a few hours for any signs of life (and finding none) the same idiot decided to shift a rock. Well I got to bed at 4am after totally redoing the 'scape and I have like 4 rocks to worry about.

Doug the lid you let me scape on is bigger than my tank! Yeah these rocks looked monstrous in there and my plans had to change (twice).

Things I noticed about small tanks:

1) It's awesome how they're small and you can really focus your efforts into that space
2) It sucks HARD how they're small and nothing really fits or works

In the end my second scape looked a little less unique/cool than the first but made better use of the light with the slope upwards to the back. I tried to stay off the back wall but the space is 20x20x20 so I did what I had to.

I'm pretty sure the lights should be off but I'm running them anyways since I am the LEAST patient person in the world and need to stare at my lifeless tank LIT =)

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/scape1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/scape2.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/scape3.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/scape4.jpg

I had to look that one up. Watch your tongue young man.

I'm a pretty simple guy fish-wise plus the tank IS small.

Fish I like:

Blennies - Tail spot, Lawnmuncher, Bicolour
Baby got Dottyback
Bangin' Cardinals
Royal Grandma
Chromis Dime-a-dozenus
Black 'n White Percs

All pretty basic but I'm sure I'll just SEE fish I want and then...buy them. So my list may be based more on what I happen to see. Leah I'm NOT patient!

Get a Tang.

or a shark! some just lay on the bottom...:rolleyes:


Glad to see your back josh.

Tank is looking great by the way. love the slope

Looks fine, although to be honest, what I mean to say is I can't really see beyond that orb, but I'm sure the rockwork or whatever that's underneath it is fine.

I think that orb would fit over my head really well..

Tony your jealousy is cute. Although I suggest you cut it out before I c-bag you. C is for chaeto foo.

On a serious note anyone HAVE some pods in chaeto I could have? I have eyes like a hawk and this rock is podless.