finch6013

Looking good Calvin! Your tank has made a come back from the last time I seen it.

Pump sold as well.

chiller sold. Thanks.

I think Tunze also makes some small skimmers that are popular with the solana. Check that out. Also, it was either reef central or nano reefs forum that had huge solana thread going. I used to go there a lot for info.

When I had a solana I ran a sapphire aquatics skimmer. That thing ROCKED for it size and was very quiet. I'll second the advice to ditch the ATO bottles and run a proper switch with a remote ATO reservoir. I use the same switch as Grassi with no problems at all.

Not the same tank I brought through the window. I had this one build to fit through the door just barely. Chiller still available!!!!

Not the same tank I brought through the window. I had this one build to fit through the door just barely. Chiller still available!!!!

Tank, skimmer and sump sold. Still have the chiller, pump, and Icecap ballast. I'll likely be adding a few small things in the next few days as I clean out.

I have too many other hobbies that I enjoy way more. Every time I have to spend money on the tank I think it could be going towards other passions. I might set up a cold water pico tank though, we'll see.

SOLD!!!! 60x30x24 Envision acrylic tank. 1/2'' acrylic, external overflow drilled for three 1 1/2'' bulkheads, black back, Three 3/4'' returns drilled in the back, Excellent shape $ 800 obo The stand is too large to get out of the basement doors but it could be taken apart carefully and re assembled if you are interested in it. Stand will be free with the tank if interested. Pics are from when I brought it home, but it looks just the same. I can get current pics later in the week if needed. SOLD!!!!Super Reef Octopus xp3000 with Bubble Blaster pump $250 Link to the specs http://www.reefspecialty.com/index.php?category_id=104&page=shop.product_details&product_id=448&Itemid=1&option=com_virtuemart&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1 SOLD!!!! Sump with two filter sock holders, removable skimmer platform (built to raise the SRO skimmer to the optimum water hight). Dimensions are 48x20x16 $150 Pacific Coast Imports SL-500A 1/2HP chiller. Was recently serviced by Pacific coast imports and had new temp probe and computer controls installed. Summer is coming, you know you'll need a chiller. $200 Dart external pump with AO smith motor. Has newer seals installed. $75 Icecap 660 ballast $40 comes with VHO endcaps and two 60'' actinic lamps but could be used for T5's as well.

stock it up. As long as you don't fill the tank in a weeks time you will be fine. Just keep an eye on things.

I'm glad we live close, so I can come awe over your tank when its set up.

Thanks for doing this! I'm sure it will help out a lot of us.

SOFTIES..... psh

I'm not doing fresh water steve. I changed my tank to a temperate marine tidal tank. And ya it's coming along. I need to start a thread about it soon.

your sps are looking great from the web cam.

Never thought I'd see this thread come back. I was using a sapphire aquatics skimmer made for the solana. The thing worked great. I'm not sure if they still make them anymore, seams like I heard somewhere that sapphire dropped the line when the economy tanked. I'd recommend tracking one down or looking into a Tunze 9002 as well.

Care for an update???

If you should want to venture into sps, post a thread with any questions you have. Just my opinion, but sps is much more rewarding to keep and we have a few members that are quite good at keeping sps tanks.

Its just getting started as far as the cold water tank is going. The reef tank is no more, so I should probably close this thread and start a new one when I get the cold water tank going.

Looks good man. I like your milli colonies.

I plan to insulate the sump probably with foam board on all sides and maybe even the top partially. I might even try to insulate the back of the show tank. As for the drain plumbing I need to track down a place that sells the half inch approx thick foam rubber pipe insulation that I see plumbers and havoc guys use on jobs. HD doesn't seem to sell it. I'm open to ideas on insulating the tank and pipes. I think I might get an ecoplus 1hp chiller. It's the consumer model not the commercial, which is the only reason I haven't pulled the trigger on it yet. I'm still not sure about it's viability as a chiller for a coldwater tank. The DT is in the basement and it never really gets above 70-maybe mid 70's so I might get some condensation in the summer months but we'll see.

AquaticEngineer did the foam rock to replicate the local tide pool solid rock and granite. I think it came out quite well. One of the better Foam rocks builds I have seen. I have yet to see a reef tank that pulled this off though.

Consider dry rock. Check out marcorocks.com or bulk reef supply for good prices on dry rock. I think foam rock would defiantly be cheaper than live rock but it doesn't look as good in my opinion. Dry rock turns to live rock after 6 months and costs a third as much.

As quick as the sps envision went up, its turning to the darkside. Soon to be a Temperate tide pool tank displaying creatures from the pacific coast.