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Innovative Marine Aquariums

Solana³: The Remix ft. Hydronaut


Hydronaut

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Current FTS | (9/25/2011)

 

Solana_FTS%20%289-25-11%29.jpg

 

Intro

I originally purchased this tank in May 2011 in order to house a mated pair of F1 'Rio Monga' Amatitlania sp. ‘Honduran red point’ cichlids in a planted setting. I had always planned on moving on to reefing when I got around to buying a house, however shortly after setting this tank up I just couldn't resist the temptation to setup a reef system. And, being a design engineer by trade, I also could not resist the urge to tinker. Thus I have now ripped out the rear filtration system, installed an overflow, built a custom "display-style" sump/refugium in order to take advantage of the glass front on the stand, and packed the drawer full of all kinds of electronic gadgetry. So now it is August, 2011 - the construction is nearly complete and the last of the equipment is on the way. Cycling to commence in roughly 3 weeks. Thanks for stopping by!

 

P.S. The HRPs now reside in my 125g freshwater CA/SA tank across the room.

 

Tank Specs

  • Display: 20"x20"x20" 34g Solana Cube modded with Glass-holes.com Super Nano Con Dientes overflow kit
  • Sump: 15"x15"x15" 14.6g custom built "display-style" sump/refugium, lit by a 6W 8000k Ecoxotic Stunner Strip
  • Lighting: Current USA Solana Pendant retrofitted with 250W Blue Wave MH Ballast
  • Circulation: Ecotech Marine Vortech MP10 EcoSmart | Hydor Koralia Nano 425
  • Return: Eheim Compact+ 3000
  • Skimmer: SWC Xtreme 120 Cone
  • Heating: CA 150 watt Titanium Reef Heater
  • Cooling: Azoo Quad Cooling Fan Unit
  • Controller: Neptune Apex Lite
  • RO/DI: BRS 75gpd 5 Stage *PLUS* System w/ Dual TDS Meter

Parameters

  • Temperature: 78-79°F
  • Ph: 8.1
  • Specific Gravity: 1.026 (35ppt)
  • Alkalinity: 12 dKH

Livestock

  • Coral Banded Shrimp
  • Pipe Organ Coral (Tubipora musica)

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Here is the tank when I first bought it. The original owner has already retrofitted a 250 watt metal halide in place of the stock 150 watt.

 

empty.jpg

 

front_left-freshwater.jpg

 

After filling the tank up with freshwater, I noticed the stand leaned a bit to the left. Nothing a few strategically placed decking screws couldn't fix. See the lean here:

 

FTS-freshwater.jpg

 

While fixing the lean, I also went ahead and refinished the top of the stand by sanding it glass smooth and adding a fresh coat of paint.

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Nicee! Can't wait to see the sump and how everything is set up! Let's see some more pics!

 

Thanks! Here's a pic of the big pile of stuff that has been accumulating on my floor for the past 3 months:

 

pile_of_stuff.jpg

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Seano Hermano

This looks like it is going to be good. :) I love the rimless tanks, especially cubes. I'll be following along with the build.

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Seano Hermano

...lookin' good. ;) Is there a reason you had the box below the top edge of the tank rather than at the same hight?

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...lookin' good. ;) Is there a reason you had the box below the top edge of the tank rather than at the same hight?

 

 

I'm shooting for a water level between 1/2" and 1" below the rim. The overflow box also came with a lid which adds another 1/8".

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Seano Hermano
I'm shooting for a water level between 1/2" and 1" below the rim. The overflow box also came with a lid which adds another 1/8".

Ah, I see. ;) Sounds good.

 

I got the box without the lid. I wish I had gotten the lid. Though, I still have room to add it if I want one.

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kevin-spacey-john-doe.jpg

 

Become vengeance, David. Become wrath.

 

Seriously though, what's in it? :lol:

 

Wait for it...

 

IMAG0167.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rocks!

 

IMAG0169.jpg

 

Marco rocks that is.

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this is so epic! so nice to see someone to attemp to drill the solana.. looks great!

 

Thanks! The drilling went off without a hitch. I also had an entertaining exchange with the girl working the front office in my building when picking up this past shipment:

 

Me: I believe I had a package come in today

Her: Yes, you did. Hold on just a minute...[walks to back, and returns awkwardly carrying a heavy box]

Her: What's in the box, bricks??

Me: Rocks, actually...

Her: *laughs* (obviously thinks I'm joking)

Me: Actually, there really are rocks in the box. [points to shipping label with "Marco Rocks" printed on it]

Me: It's for the reef tank (since I have a constant stream of packages coming in, incl. a 60lb box of salt, they all know what the deal is)

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