34g Solana Build

[MMOORE0324]

Hello everyone,

For the last month and a half or so I've been working on my 34g Solana build. In the last two years, I have had two major builds planned but both have fallen apart due to either personal or business issues. When I decided that I would do a nano, for the first time in my life, I swore I wouldn't post any details until I at least had my tank in hand. The tank has been running for about 5 weeks now. The system had been running for a year or so at another location. I kept 85% of the water, a little rock, and sand. I added 15# of new rock and topped it off with a fresh batch of saltwater. I've posted my build in my local club's forums so I'll post everything from there to this thread. Some of it may not make sense but at lease the build will be up to date and from now on, I'll update this thread as well.

Thanks for looking.

[MMOORE0324]

" I've had two major builds planned. The first was a 220g+ in wall build that at the last minute before purchasing fell apart due to personal issues. Several months later, I had a 180g build starting to take shape. I really wanted to invest a ton of time with my 180g build starting with CAD sketches and renderings, careful selection of higher end fish and corals, and simple, well thought out, equipment. Well in the middle of that planning process for that build, I was presented with an opportunity to start a business. I had been trying to start this business for years but the time was just never right. Well when this new opportunity came along, I had to take it. So for the last 6 months or so all reef and other hobbies have been put on hold for the creation of my business. Now that the dust has settled... It's time to reef! Since I've already had two failed build threads.. I decided that I wouldn't even open up this forum until I had at least my new tank in hand... So that's where I'm at and where my new reef build begins....


I have named my reef "Ethan-Angs' Florida Reef" after my two adorable children, Ethan and Angelina. My son whom is 6 has been reefing with me since he was born, and my daughter, 16mos, just loves all things water and animals. I'm so excited to be doing this reef with the kids.


I decided that for the first time in my life I would do a nano reef. I've owned reefs of all sizes in the past none of which were smaller than 75g displays. After looking at many nano tanks, most with integrated filtration, I decided on the Current 34g Solana rimless aquarium. This set up really gave me the clean look that I love along with a integrated filtration system that really is designed for the reef keeper. Current no longer makes the cube Solana but I was able to find an outstanding deal on a used system. I picked the tank up on Wednesday and got it all set up yesterday. I decided to keep the established sand bed and about 1/4 of the water that was in the system, hopefully minimizing a fresh cycle. I wont be posting to many photos until the water clears up, and I have my aqua scape done.


Setting up my business has left me just about flat broke so this will, for a while at least, be a budget build but hopefully with a very high end look and feel. The minimal equipment needed to run this tank should really help the pocket book out.

Since living in Florida and doing a good deal of diving and snorkeling down in the Keys and else where in the world, I have really developed an appreciation for fish. I used to pay less attention to fish and critters and focus only on coral. Our natural reefs certainly aren't formed that way so why should my tank? Although I am limited for space with only 34g, I do plan to have a healthy number of small fish, lots of invertebrates, and of course plenty of coral, mostly SPS.


So that's all I have to report for now. I'm so excited to be back in reef keeping and I hope to finally have the time to meet all of you and also join the club! I'm sure I'll be looking for some used equipment here and there seeing how I sold every bit of aquarium gear I owned when I moved to Florida a few years ago.

Hope to have some updates soon!

Matt"

[MMOORE0324]

"Update #1

Well the tank cleared up nicely yesterday while I was at the office so I'm very happy about that. Last night I took out my LR for pest inspection and drilling. Now I had a very distinct image in mind of how I wanted my aquascape to look. It was going to be sort of a bonsai/lagoon hybrid. I really wanted only a few pieces of rock on the sand with the rest being suspended by pvc, zipties, and epoxy. So after stacking the rocks how I thought I wanted, I began to drill, epoxy, and zip. I had it set so that only one rock out of 25# would be on the sand. Now, I should probably state that I have never aquascaped anything smaller than a 75 gallons display. I knew the dimensions I had to work with and thought that I was set! So with the help of my wife, I pick my structure up and attempt to set it gently into my tank. Hmmm... Doesn't fit.
I guess I just didn't realize how small 20x20x20 really is. So since I already had my structure epoxied and ziptied.. It took me about an hour to just break it all apart and redo. I ended up not using as much PVC as I wanted, which resulted in some of the rock being placed in the sand.. Which is fine I guess. All in all, a 25# aquasacpe should not have taken 3 hours but oh well. I'm not extremely happy with it, but I think once it's covered in SPS it will do. I will try to get a few pics posted later on.

Another issue that I'm having due to the small footprint is flow. I have always been a big supporter of very strong, gentle, flow supplied by propeller pumps. I picked up a Korilla nano (about 425gph); not even close to what I need for flow. So after digging around in the garage I found a tote with some old reef stuff! YES! In the bucket I found two Little Giant 3-MDSC external pumps, a Maxi Jet 900, a MJ900 modded with the original Sureflow kit, a bucket of BRS carbon, and some other misc stuff. I placed the modded MJ900 (about 1100GPH) and whoa.. sandstorm! I have #0 fine grade sand so I think the MJ900 is just to much. So now I need to find something in the 700GPH rang I guess. Blah.

Water parameters are looking good though. As of 10pm last night they are as follows:

Temp. 79
Salinity: 35PPT
PH: 8.2
dkH: 7 ( a little lower than I like but it's ok for now with no coral)
Ca: 400
No3: undetectable with API, so probably <0.3 ish
Po4: undetectable with API, so hopefully under 0.04 ish

I don't have a Mg test kit anymore so I don't know. I'll have to pick one up.


I think that's it for now. I'm going to work on my stock list later today, so I'll post that when I'm done.



-Matt-"

[MMOORE0324]

"Ok well here are just a few pics, (sorry about the iPhone quality) of my aquascape. It's not entirely what I wanted but I think it will work. 95% of my corals will be SPS; I'm starting to visualize where corals will go. Although it's not exactly what I wanted, I did meet two of my goals:
No rock touching the 3 sides of the glass to allow clean viewing and easy cleaning
Open, non cluttered scape to allow fish plenty of swimming room and to also have a clean, crisp appearance

Enjoy. I plan on adding 3 green chromis tomorrow so I should have some more pics then. BTW, tank is alot less blue than in pics.

FTS from an angle



FTS



Top down

-Matt-"

[MMOORE0324]

"Thank you! 🐠

Does anyone have any ideas on how I could possibly incorporate a remote/hang-on mangrove tank? Let me know if anyone has any ideas.

Thanks!
Matt"

[MMOORE0324]

"Thanks Ron,

That's exactly what I was thinking. The only Problem with that is my tank is so small already. The integrated filtration is coast to coast and about 4" wide. I was thinking if I could have something hang on the back, and then have a small power head pump water from the overflow into the mangrove container and then just gravity feed it right back into my return section. Here is a pic of the sump section (The filter pad will be history soon, just there to help clear the water)

-Matt-"

[MMOORE0324]

"I picked up 3 green chromis and a nice serpent star today. All are doing well and the fish were eating about five minutes after being introduced into the reef. I know chromis aren't anything special but I have always really liked them and will have them in any reef that I do! I'll try to get a few pics tomorrow.
-Matt-"

[MMOORE0324]

"Not much to update. Tank is doing great. Finally have a small diatom bloom from my mini cycle from my new LR. Anyways, will keep this thread updated as things progress. Hopefully in a couple of weeks when I start adding corals back in this thread will move along a little more.
-Matt-"

[MMOORE0324]

Update 4/11

The Solana Reef is doing great! I'm pleased that I haven't had any real problems yet. Usually by week 3 of a reef I've already encountered equipment issues, but not this time. I would like to note that the built in skimmer from Current USA has exceeded my expectations. I had planned on upgrading to the Tunze nano but I think the stock one works very well. I have to empty the cup every two days, and it's nice and dark. This isn't a set-it and forget-it skimmer. I have to adjust it almost daily, but I don't mind at all. The pump can be upgraded for better production but as of now, no need at all.


Water parameters are looking good and stabilizing.

Temp 79-83
Salinity 35 PPT
dkH 10
Ca 450
No3 10
Po4 0.07
PH 8.0

I would like for my dkH to be at 9 and Ca to be at 420. Othe than that I'm happy. Nutrient levels come down a little each day. As soon as Po4 hits 0.04-0.05 I'm going to add a monti or two and probably some GFO. I have always run No3 at 5-10 with no issues at all.

I took a few pics this morning. They aren't the best but some of them I like.

Clown posing:


He's not camera shy:


New Cherub Angel (I really him, seems like a great fish)


Artistic Cherub:


Just clowning around:


FTS:

-Matt-"

[MMOORE0324]

Ok guys,

This thread is now updated to current status. I took that last set of pics this morning. As you read in the "back posting" this reef will be 98% SPS along with a few more small fish. I am liking how things are progressing so far. I will update this thread as much as possible!

[ganjero]

Sorry if I missed it, what light are you using?

[MMOORE0324]

Originally Posted by ganjero

Sorry if I missed it, what light are you using?

No, I don't think I posted. It's the stock Current 150w MH with a 20k Ushio bulb. Lighting will be upgraded sooner or later. I would like to do a 250w Lumen Max 3 with a Phoenix 14k.

[MMOORE0324]

I would like some help in decided how to stock the Solana, fish wise.

As I stated in my first post of this build thread; I have been inspired by the fish of our natural reefs like never before. I want to have a good selection (heavy fish load) in my reef. Now don't worry, I'm not going to be putting in a small gang or anything.

My current fish list is as follows:

3- sm green Chromis
1- sm ocellaris clown
1- sm cherub angel

I love schooling fish. I could add some more Chromis but I am looking for something with some different coloration than green. I do not have a top cover so most wrasse are out probably. When I view the tank I want to see alot of fish swimming. While some may think I want to over-crowed my 34g tank- I will just say that some of the most beautiful SPS dominated reefs that I have seen have had a very high fish population. I think it's good for the reef.

So let me know what you think




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[MMOORE0324]

Sorry about the formatting of the last post- I'm not sure why it ran everything together like that.


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[sahin]

Is this tank still running, if so, please update the thread. Seems like a nice start.