Our 34g Solana So Far

sdhanz · 01-14-2009, 11:36 PM

Hi All --

Thanks, again, to everyone for all of the good advice. So far this tank has been a blast to put together. Got LR from 3 sources. Very, very happy.

Here's a pic I took before adding three zebra damsels to get the cycle going faster. Our LFS is Fountain's Aquarium in La Mesa, CA, (San Diego). They give full store credit for returned damsels. Sweet.

Ammonia and nitrites are at 0 ppm. Strangely, the nitrates are at 10 ppm. Since the tank has only been going about 1-1/2 weeks, I'm guessing that a cycle has not begun, yes?

{Nano}Reefer · 01-14-2009, 11:40 PM

ooo I am jealous of that tank!! looks incredible! what size is it? your live rock might have had some die off producing a bit of nitrates, but not enough to kick off a full cycle...unless that's wrong.

what kind of lighting come's with those?

PackLeader · 01-14-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by {Nano}Reefer

ooo I am jealous of that tank!! looks incredible! what size is it? your live rock might have had some die off producing a bit of nitrates, but not enough to kick off a full cycle...

C'mon Nano, the first two words of the thread is "Our 34g"...

And i agree about the rock. Could be from the sand too. If the rock or sand had any nitrates, then there ya go.

{Nano}Reefer · 01-14-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackLeader

C'mon Nano, the first two words of the thread is "Our 34g"...

lol i need to read things more carefully, I honestly think I just plum forgot what I read, I space a l o t ! great looking tank anyways!! I want one now, if I only had the funds.

ermano · 01-15-2009, 12:01 AM

haha it's a bit early in the mornin don' ya say!?

james37128 · 01-15-2009, 01:13 AM

Maybe a good idea to point a return/powerhead at the surface to break up the film. Looks good!

sdhanz · 01-15-2009, 01:15 AM

The tank comes with a 150 metal halide. The temperature is entirely too cool for my taste. But we were told at the LFS that this is what grows hard corals best ... I'm thinking to get a warmer bulb when this one needs to be changed.

Anyhow, this is the full setup, which is on current-usa.com:

And since it is an all-in-one, it is nice to see, from the back, that there is a skimmer on the right, a middle space for filtering (or a refugium -- my plan) and then pump and heater. They have top-off bottles, which are a complete waste of space, since about 1 gallon of water evaporates per day. Here's a shot of the back of the tank:

If you're interested, check out the brochure on their website. I picked mine up for $750. But others mention paying much, much less. I feel like I TOTALLY got my money's worth. My only complaint is that even though the cabinet is gorgeous and well built, the screws to finish the assembly are lame. One broke while installing the lamp fixture. I recommend re-drilling holes if screws are even slightly tight.

... and it became even more beautiful when we put it in our living room.

sdhanz · 01-15-2009, 06:29 AM

Thanks for the suggestion about breaking up the film. We weren't really sure why that was there.

01-14-2009, 11:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
sdhanz Plankton Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 12 Skin: Mint Karma: 49	Our 34g Solana So Far Hi All -- Thanks, again, to everyone for all of the good advice. So far this tank has been a blast to put together. Got LR from 3 sources. Very, very happy. Here's a pic I took before adding three zebra damsels to get the cycle going faster. Our LFS is Fountain's Aquarium in La Mesa, CA, (San Diego). They give full store credit for returned damsels. Sweet. Ammonia and nitrites are at 0 ppm. Strangely, the nitrates are at 10 ppm. Since the tank has only been going about 1-1/2 weeks, I'm guessing that a cycle has not begun, yes?

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01-14-2009, 11:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
{Nano}Reefer Dragon Wrasse Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,196 Skin: Mint Karma: 7230	ooo I am jealous of that tank!! looks incredible! what size is it? your live rock might have had some die off producing a bit of nitrates, but not enough to kick off a full cycle...unless that's wrong. what kind of lighting come's with those?

01-15-2009, 12:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
ermano Zoanthid Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 1,109 Skin: Mint Karma: 10231	haha it's a bit early in the mornin don' ya say!?

01-15-2009, 01:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
james37128 Coral Banded Shrimp Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 353 Skin: Mint Karma: 1482	Maybe a good idea to point a return/powerhead at the surface to break up the film. Looks good!

01-15-2009, 01:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
sdhanz Plankton Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 12 Skin: Mint Karma: 49	The tank comes with a 150 metal halide. The temperature is entirely too cool for my taste. But we were told at the LFS that this is what grows hard corals best ... I'm thinking to get a warmer bulb when this one needs to be changed. Anyhow, this is the full setup, which is on current-usa.com: And since it is an all-in-one, it is nice to see, from the back, that there is a skimmer on the right, a middle space for filtering (or a refugium -- my plan) and then pump and heater. They have top-off bottles, which are a complete waste of space, since about 1 gallon of water evaporates per day. Here's a shot of the back of the tank: If you're interested, check out the brochure on their website. I picked mine up for $750. But others mention paying much, much less. I feel like I TOTALLY got my money's worth. My only complaint is that even though the cabinet is gorgeous and well built, the screws to finish the assembly are lame. One broke while installing the lamp fixture. I recommend re-drilling holes if screws are even slightly tight. ... and it became even more beautiful when we put it in our living room.

01-15-2009, 06:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
sdhanz Plankton Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 12 Skin: Mint Karma: 49	Thanks for the suggestion about breaking up the film. We weren't really sure why that was there.