34G SPS Solana

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by VFX

Hey Justin nice Solana! Very sweet indeed.

I thought about putting my MP20 in the same spot as yours but i was scared that if the power ever fails & the return pump stops then the drive part of the Vortech will get submersed.

Did you build something in the back there to protect it?

ps. didn't know you were an animator. I nearly made to jump to Singapore too a couple of years ago but ended up coming to Vancouver.

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So your an animator too?

I made a dry box out of glass. I would suggest acrylic though since the glass is a little heavy. I was lucky because the box sits (rests) on top of the elbox for the return plumbing. Otherwise the MP20 magnets are not strong enough to hold up the glass box. I have seen people use acrylic though and it does hold the acrylic in place no problem. I made my box 7" tall and its perfect. I think it's 4"x3.5"x7". 1/4" glass. Lots of silicone. Still makes me nervous but it did hold water, so I assume its sealed.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by lobsterboy

thats lookin sick Justin.

Thanks man

I am pretty happy about it. Even though I am 99% sure I will be staying here, I have enjoyed this tank much more than any big tank I have owned...maybe just cause it's new though. I miss the fish but they all went to great homes.

It's just nice because it's a fraction of the maintenance and cost of the bigger tanks.

My only concern still is skimmerless. We'll see how that goes with an sps tank.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

VFX- This is my 'dry box' It's held up partly by the vortech magnet but also resting on the return 90 degree elbow. Sorry not the best picture.




And one from a member on RC. His is acrylic and in the middle compartment.



My concern with the acrylic is that I had heard it can craze and it worried me that in such a small space, it could over heat the acrylic. Probably not a real concern but that along with the fact that glass is easier for me to work with was enough for me to try glass.

[VFX]

I've worked as an animator, but I've been comp for about 8-9 years now with occasional bits of animation work. I found that with my barely average 3D skills I got a better rate doing comp.

My Solana is virtually all SPS so I wanted to keep using a skimmer. I used the standard skimmer but it was way too loud & found I could only get it to pull really wet skimmate. Then I tried no skimmer & lots of water changes (10g a week) & now I'm back to skimming as I went from 2 fish to 4 fish. I might try a Tunze 9002 in there as I'm pleased with how they run on my 15g.

Cool, thanks for the box dimensions & pics. I have some acrylic lying around, I might knock something up & see how it goes. I think I'll still be nervous about it though (esp. with my DIY skills). Unless you want to build me a glass box in exchange for cash? :mr grren:

btw - don't you think the reef crest mode is just too damned sick in a 20" cube! Do you have yours turned up to max?

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[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by VFX

I've worked as an animator, but I've been comp for about 8-9 years now with occasional bits of animation work. I found that with my barely average 3D skills I got a better rate doing comp.

My Solana is virtually all SPS so I wanted to keep using a skimmer. I found the standard skimmer but it was way too loud & I could only get to pull really wet skimmate. Then I tried no skimmer & lots of water changes (10g a week) & now I'm back to skimming as I went from 2 fish to 4 fish. I might try a Tunze 9002 in there as I'm please with how they run on my 15g.

Cool, thanks for the box dimensions & pics. I have some acrylic lying around, I might knock something up & see how it goes. I think I'll still be nervous about it though (esp. with my DIY skills). Unless you want to build me a glass box in exchange for cash? :mr grren:

btw - don't you think the reef crest mode is just too damned sick in a 20" cube! Do you have yours turned up to max?

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Comp work probably makes more money than animation these days I think, so you made the right choice.

I am thinking of getting a 9002 as well actually. Under $200 and seems really nice for a nano skimmer. I just want to keep trying skimmerless for a while longer. I also have four fish, so I do worry a little. The plan was to only keep the two clowns but then I thought the goby would be good to keep the sand clean and I really didn't want to give up the blenny.

My DIY skills are not great either but I could build one for sure. I think you would be fine though if you go get the glass cut and then silicone it. It's really easy.

I do have the MP20 up to the max in reef crest mode. I think it's perfect for this tank. It hits the front glass and really swirls around.

[VFX]

Once all your corals settle down in there, I'd be interested to know how they are under 250w HQI.

I've been itching to change my standard 150w for a 250w Sunpod.

For me everything is looking nice & PE is decent but nothing grows very fast. Maybe going to 250w & less photo period may help.

I might give the dry box a go... I guess I'll test it extremely thoroughly before I use it!

.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by VFX

Once all your corals settle down in there, I'd be interested to know how they are under 250w HQI.

I've been itching to change my standard 150w for a 250w Sunpod.

For me everything is looking nice & PE is decent but nothing grows very fast. Maybe going to 250w & less photo period may help.

I might give the dry box a go... I guess I'll test it extremely thoroughly before I use it!

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Just build one and then fill it with water for a day to make sure there are no leaks. I honestly didn't test mine for all that long. I really should have but I used a ton of silicone and am confident its very well sealed.

You have me thinking now though...tomorrow night, I may take it out and fill it with water overnight just to double check. Obviously there is a lot to loose if it leaks!

So far I love the 250. My corals seem very happy under it. The browning is not from the lighting I don't think. More just the transition from big ZEO tank to skimmerless small tank.

I think I will give it a good month or two before I change anything. If at that point, things have not improved, I will get a skimmer and start to rethink things.

[Myka]

I would be a little worried about running it skimmerless for SPS too, but correct me if i'm wrong, I think you're fairly experienced, so that will help you out. The Deltec Nano skimmers are quite small, and quite good too, would it fit in the back compartment? They fit in BioCubes...

[Doug]

Looking good. Wish my cube had the filtration section like yours.

When I sold my Deltec, planned on another skimmer and still do but its been a couple months now running skimmerless and my tank and sps are all fine.

For a tank like yours, I would look at the new Euroreef nano skimmers. Seem to have good reviews and custom made for your own tank. I have the link to the store in the US, if you would like it. Talked to them a couple times now, in regards to their skimmers.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by Myka

I would be a little worried about running it skimmerless for SPS too, but correct me if i'm wrong, I think you're fairly experienced, so that will help you out. The Deltec Nano skimmers are quite small, and quite good too, would it fit in the back compartment? They fit in BioCubes...

I have had salt tanks for about 7 years now but I have not really kept SPS all that long...I had an SPS tank when I lived in Miami for about 2 years that wasn't a great success and then I have been keeping one here in Vancouver about a year again. I am confident enough I can do it skimmerless but it may be more maintenance that way and I really want low maintenance.

I will look into the Deltec Skimmers. Which model are you talking about?

Originally Posted by Doug

Looking good. Wish my cube had the filtration section like yours.

When I sold my Deltec, planned on another skimmer and still do but its been a couple months now running skimmerless and my tank and sps are all fine.

For a tank like yours, I would look at the new Euroreef nano skimmers. Seem to have good reviews and custom made for your own tank. I have the link to the store in the US, if you would like it. Talked to them a couple times now, in regards to their skimmers.

Did they ever come out yet? I kept hearing they were delayed? I would love to see that link when you have a chance.

My only concern might be the price...this thing is really starting to add up!

EDIT: Did some searching and the Euroreef looks really nice. Nice little mesh wheel skimmer. Looks like the one for the Solana is about $150 USD, so not bad at all.