My 34 Solana

[sts04c]

I wanted to start this thread to track the growth of the tank and also to take any constructive criticism that anyone has. Thanks for looking and all suggestions appreciated.

System:
-34 Solana with Dark Espresso Stand
-150 watt Sunpod with 14K Phoenix (hoping to upgrade to a Radium, ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT?)
-Tunze 9002 Skimmer
-Mag 3 Return
- 100 watt heater
-Vortech MP10
-13 watt Toms Aquatics CF on the fuge in back middle comparment
- Coralife Temp probe

In the fuge I run some macros and rubble. I do weekly 4-5 gallon water changes. I run 1 full unit of Chemipure Elite. Majority of the dosing is from the Aquavitro product line: Balance, fuel, ions, calcification.



1st pic is right after the transfer from the 24 pod.
All other other pics are about two weeks to a month after.
The last half of this post are the current Aquascape and coral placement.
Also a few top-down shots, haven't decide which one to submit for POTM.
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[smoothie]

Guess this is the day for sweet tanks! Great job by the way.
I would go with the radium for sure. 150 is the only one they make in DE if I am not mistaken

 

[weaglereefer]

I would stick with the Phoenix 14k. It honestly looks about the same as a Radium in the 150w DE, and has the punch for light loving corals.

 

[texhorns98]

How's your Copper eating? Also, what is that other fish in the last pic? Regal?

 

[eclipse]

Radiums are good bulbs. If I were you I would consider a 14 Aquamaxx. I have one over my 24g Aquapod and love it. Over on nanoreef.com this months TOTM is running one here is the link. Same fixture as yours.
http://www.nano-reef.com/featured/?tank=37">http://www.nano-reef.com/featured/?tank=37</a>

Here is a link to the bulb.
[IMG]http://www.marinedepot.com/150_Watt_14000K_Metal_Halide_Bulb_AquaMaxx_Double_Ended_150_Watt_Double_Ended_Metal_Halide_Light_Bulbs-AquaMaxx-MB2662-FILTBUMHDEHW-MB2662-vi.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/150_Watt_14000K_Metal_Halide_Bulb_AquaMaxx_Double_Ended_150_Watt_Double_Ended_Metal_Halide_Light_Bulbs-AquaMaxx-MB2662-FILTBUMHDEHW-MB2662-vi.html</a>

 

[eclipse]

eclipse;519736 wrote: Radiums are good bulbs. If I were you I would consider a 14k Aquamaxx. I have one over my 24g Aquapod and love it. Over on nanoreef.com this months TOTM is running one here is the link. Same fixture as yours.
http://www.nano-reef.com/featured/?tank=37">http://www.nano-reef.com/featured/?tank=37</a>

Here is a link to the bulb.
[IMG]http://www.marinedepot.com/150_Watt_14000K_Metal_Halide_Bulb_AquaMaxx_Double_Ended_150_Watt_Double_Ended_Metal_Halide_Light_Bulbs-AquaMaxx-MB2662-FILTBUMHDEHW-MB2662-vi.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/150_Watt_14000K_Metal_Halide_Bulb_AquaMaxx_Double_Ended_150_Watt_Double_Ended_Metal_Halide_Light_Bulbs-AquaMaxx-MB2662-FILTBUMHDEHW-MB2662-vi.html</a>[/QUOTE]

Hope this helps :)

 

[sts04c]

How's your Copper eating? Also, what is that other fish in the last pic? Regal?


The Copperband was eating small brine and picking at the worms in the live rock. Yes, the other was the Regal, he will only be in the tank for a little while longer due to his tank requirements.




Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[sts04c]

beccamc10,

I'll see if I can't get some close-ups. The point and shoot doesn't have much zoom. Thanks for the kind words.

 

[sts04c]

Au01st,

I assume you have had a 20K Radium on the tank before? If so I will take your word and not spend the extra twenty on the bulb, but everyone I talk to tells me to get a Radium. I'm told they have better color for the corals, but the same PAR as a 14K. LMK either way and thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[sts04c]

eclipse,

have you done any PAR comparisons or know anyone who has on that bulb versus one of the others mentioned?

 

[sts04c]

Smoothie,
Thanks for the kind words. I am looking into the bulbs. Do you have any first hand experience with the Radium 20K 150 or the Phoenix 14K 150?

 

[sts04c]

beccamc10;520321 wrote: I can always come up with the SLR cam. Let me know when ur ready to part with some:ahh:

Will do. I need to thin them out some. Should be a for sale post coming soon. :up:

 

[fish scales2]

I found myself sitting in front of this tank for some 45 minutes a few weeks ago. These pics do no justice (you photography skills are perfectly fine) Just an amazing little garden of lps. Cant wait to see it again.

Chris

 

[fish scales2]

I have 50 crazy acans showing up very soon!

 

[flyboy93tr]

very nice

 

[alpharetta]

Cant wait for those frags to grow this tank is going to be full of color