Kmitch's Slice o' Reef 12G NanoCube, Moved from Solana last night! Options

[Gillz]

Warning! This thread was started as a SOLANA thread, but on 10/20/08 my Solana was broken down in favor of a NanoCube 12DX. This breakdown comes as a result of the Solana absorbing too much time and money, so I decided to sell most of my stuff (besides livestock) and go into a simple tank. To start reading where the NanoCube pics up, please click here (page 11).


Welcome to Kmitch's Slice o' Reef Solana
This tank was started in July of 2008.

Basic Specs:
34gal solana starphire glass edition
250w Metal Halide 14,000 k bulb
Vortech MP 20 pump
Tunze Nano Doc 9002 Skimmer + StevieT skimmer cup
Stealth heater
Azoo 4 fan cooling fans
Aquahub DIY Auto-Top-Off

Fish:
2 ORA Naked Clowns, mated pair (Amphiprion ocellaris)
1 Blue Longspine Cardinal Fish (Apogon leptacanthus)
1 Hi-Finned Perchlet (Liopropama carmabi) <<< very cool nano fish

Inverts:
Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus)
Sand sifting star
Collection of snails and hermits

Birth of a Reef

Welcome! If you followed the previous "Slice o' Reef" thread then you probably heard the tragedy of my Current USA Solana tank cracking just a week before I moved. I initially was crushed-- it was not only the most expensive tank I had ever purchased but also my favorite. I posted on N-R about it and less than an hour later Ike from Current USA had emailed me telling me he'd replace it. I suspect that it was an isolated incident; I had noticed a small pock mark on the glass when I purchased the glass but never thought anything of it and I think the glass eventually lost it's integrity because it cracked right at that spot.

Two weeks ago I moved to Washington DC (where I joined WAMAS) and Ike came through on his promise and had a Solana tank delivered to my door just a few days later. THANK YOU IKE!

But this was no run of the mill Solana...

It is the new.... shhh... Starphire Glass Solana!!!!

I told Ike I'd review it for him and I must say that Current USA has produced yet another beautiful product. The new glass is very clear, there is no tint to it like most glass. Current has made a few other changes to the tank besides the glass, firstly they laser etched their logo in the bottom left corner. It really is well placed and unobtrusive on there. I hate having labels on equipment but it was so inconspicuous that it actually took me awhile to notice it! Second, they have put a felt pad on the bottom piece of glass. I assume this was done to protect the stand from the tank but I am considered about water getting under there (which will inevitably happen) and getting nasty. But to be fair to Current in my product evaluation I will leave it as it came from the factory and report back on it later.



Lastly, and most important in my book, is they replaced that weak piece of filter pad with a heavy duty coarse pad. This is the kind where you can rinse it out and use it for months on end. I talked to someone who claimed this was the same pad their org. solana came with, but it is definitely stronger than the one mine came with! Oh and they changed the color of the plastic pieces that hold the lid on from clear to black.



I haven't put water in it yet (still working on getting all my parts and really taking the time to think it through rather than rushing this tank) so the review will be ongoing, but so far appears to be a hit again.

Tank Mods
My previous Solana had only one major gripe, the amount of flow from the stock pump. It wasn't bad but for the SPS I wanted to keep it didn't cut the mustard. I never had problems with the skimmer and actually thought it was one of the better skimmers for an AIO tank. If the skimmer dies on me down the road I'll replace it with a Tunze Nano Doc.



To address the flow problem I removed all of the contents of chamber 2 and installed a second pump with return. It is a MJ900 (so moderate flow) plumbed into the system using the leftover hardware from the previous tank. My stealth heater also got put into there. I am taking a simple approach to the filtration, I have done Fuge's and never really seen alot of positive from the results, so heavy skimming, heavy flow, and a piece of filter pad.








If I find I still want more flow I'll put in some spare Koralia's I have lying around, but I think this should give me a good start.

Equipment Plans
Besides the tank I am planning on using a 250w Metal Halide system I purchased off R-C for a great price. It is a pendant system I will hang from the ceiling. Purchased a 14k bulb for the unit to give me some good color.

- 250 W metal halide pendant with 14k bulb
- Solana Tank
- Stock pump
- MJ 900 plumbed into back
- Stock skimmer
- Current Solana Stand (on special order, only thing keeping me form starting)
- RO/DI Unit (still picking the unit......)

Stocking Plans
Not sure exactly on the coral but heavy SPS and LPS with the standard assortment of shrooms and zoas. Also want some clam action in there.

For fish I am thinking either a few clowns (like 4) or a school of chromis and a goby. I have done lots of tanks with the diverse fish population, but I want something this time that is a school of fish rather than one or two odd ball fish.



Ps... sorry for all the cats in the pictures. They think this is their fish tank!

To be decided:
- Bare bottom or small layer of sand?
- Branch rock or more standard rock?
- Which RO system to get?

This post has been edited by kmitch: Oct 21 2008, 07:23 AM

[dtfleming]

get an airwaterice ro unit, you can get a discount through WAMAS, glad to see that you joined. Nice Mods cant wait to see it setup.

[Gillz]

get an airwaterice ro unit, you can get a discount through WAMAS, glad to see that you joined. Nice Mods cant wait to see it setup.

How do I get the discount and what is the discount?

[dtfleming]

Look in the sponsor forum on wamas. I think its 15% off.

Here's a unit that should work for you.

Linky

[Gillz]

Thanks DT for the PM.

You going to be at the meeting at the aquarium coming up?

[tinyreef]

that's pretty slick!

[Gillz]

we now have an RO/DI care of Air Water Ice....

[dtfleming]

Cool, I dunno Im gonna try to. They are having a frag fest tomorrow. Im not going to that. just got home today from the beach. bshriver live's near me also, Hes got some nice frags also. when your looking to stock. AquaCo and BRK are to good LFS near you. And in an hour drive you can make it to MrCoral.

[Argent]

Pretty slick tank Kris - glad to see you're still around

[Gillz]

Thanks Paul-- I was wondering if you were still alive these days recently!

[travisurfer]

nice

[Gillz]

Thanks Travis--

Anyone have thoughts on BB or thin layer of sand. I appreciate the ease of cleaning but I feel like it looks funny without sand! Humpf

[travisurfer]

I always go with just a little bit of sand. That way you get the natural look while still keeping it easy to clean. The trick is to completely clean out all the sand before you put it in the tank so you don't get the smaller, more annoying pieces that like to float around from powerheads.

[Argent]

Thanks Paul-- I was wondering if you were still alive these days recently!

Yeah I'm still alive - don't troll the reef forums much - my other hobby keeps getting in the way...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/argent34/

but I still have my two tanks - and other than an irritating constant battle with GHA in my 10G they are humming along. My black clowns have gotten HUGE since I got them

[Gillz]

Nice pics argent! We'll we'd all LOVE it if you posted a pic of the tank every once and again. Besides are you going to tell me that you now work at work!?

Went shopping today:

- Current Solana stand arriving on Tuesday!
- Purchased 50gallons worth of salt from Oceanic (I just liked how it had the plastic box rather than bags of salt.... hate bags....
- 15lbs of Caribsea substrate. I think the 15lbs bag will give me a thin layer of coverage for the "look." It is not the fine grain stuff, little bit coarser sand.

Hopefully during this week I'll have a chance to set that all up, get sand and RO water running so that this coming weekend I can scour for the best Live Rock in the DC area. Anyone have suggestions where to look? The guy closest to me had some rock but it wasnt great for the $6.50/lb he wanted for it.

[travisurfer]

Did you check craigslist and the local reef group?

[Gillz]

Did you check craigslist and the local reef group?

Yeah I am on the local reef club-- that was who I had addressed the question to-- anyone in DC been to any of the shops who have a good LR stock right now?

[Gillz]

Updates:


Insert a quote for that face.


They love helping mom setup the tank

OK FINE .... tank pictures!

The metal halide pendant came in today. Building the hanging bracket for it although it hasn't been mounted to the wall so more pictures when that is done. It is adjustable and allows for quick removal of the pendant with two clips. That way I can work in the tank without having my head beating into a light. Tomorrow I am getting the stand and setting that up, followed by the RO water on Wednesday. I will post pictures of the light hanger when its all done.


Connection from the MH pendant to the hanging system


Hanging bracket connection


The Metal Halide Pendant


Side of the Pendant


Inside of Pendant


Sand


Ballast for the 250w MH

[Gillz]

Now I know what you are thinking.... what kind of crazy girl keeps a suspension system with chains and hooks on her wall? Well it keeps the boys honest!!

The chain is so I can raise or lower the light for acclimation, etc


Normally, however, the light will hang like so, without the chain hanging there.


Oh I know what you are thinking now.... wow that girl really can mount some hardware!

I have calculated that on the stand, the tank will sit about 10in from the halide, which is good for a start and I can lower the fixture over time, which is why I went with this system. Chain for quick changes in height, or I can move the bars up and down for quasi-permanent changes.

Construction of the hanging system:
x2 - 24in black "ClosetMaid" bars for shelving unit $7.94/ea
x2 - 14.7in black shelf supports. $6.90/ea
x1pkg - 3/16"x1 1/2" Hook and Eye kit with bolt $1.98
x2 - Carabiners tested for 160lbs $2.23/ea

Also got some good drywall anchors and voila!

When the tank is in position the light should sit just above and sligthly back of center and the metal wall brackets will blend to behind the tank, giving the illusion of the whole system being attached.

Question-- what does everyone think is a good height to have the MH above the tank? Its a 250w so alot more powerful than anything I am used to and I dont want to cook my tank!

[travisurfer]

nice