34g SPS top down

[plyle02]

Shaun,
I am actually doing the same thing, I only have about 15 lbs of rock and a 1" sandbed. I am going for the same feel, just going with a few less corals and clams I am looking to grow the few sps I have into larger colonies. That skimmer on your tank is sick, I almost purchased for my Solana, but the rear compartment too small, I used a new JNS WS-1 drop in skimmer instead, about the same size as the stock skimmer, just a hair larger. I am contemplating drilling and adding a sump myself, but looks like you left the back false wall on, have you mentioned yet how the return compartment is modded, or put together? I was thinking of removing dividers out of the filtration area, and converting the false wall into a coast to coast return area. Anyway, again, I love the Solana on steroids you have, also the aquamaxx nano ca rx is a gem, would love to see more pics of the guts of the tank, could you snag some top downs of the return area and the back of the tank?
Regards,

 

[ShaunMonahan]

I am looking to grow the few sps I have into larger colonies.

Thanks for the compliments! This is also my plan with this tank. I really want just 7-8 really nice sps colonies, so I will be removing corals form this tank as this system matures.

That skimmer on your tank is sick, I almost purchased for my Solana, but the rear compartment too small, I used a new JNS WS-1 drop in skimmer instead, about the same size as the stock skimmer, just a hair larger.

The Deltec works amazingly on this tank. The AqauBee pump with needle wheel produces nice fine skimmate.

I am contemplating drilling and adding a sump myself, but looks like you left the back false wall on, have you mentioned yet how the return compartment is modded, or put together?

I recommend drilling the tank and adding a sump. It's nice to gain the additional space below for housing the skimmer, heater and return pump + increase total water volume. I did leave the original false wall, yes. I drilled (2) holes into the bottom of this compartment: one for the drain (1" durso standpipe) and one for the 1/2" return line that returns through a 1/2" Seaswirl. The existing overflow can handle roughly 650gph, while leaving enough "surface tension" to handle putting your hand into the tank and not overflowing the aquarium.

I was thinking of removing dividers out of the filtration area, and converting the false wall into a coast to coast return area.

I looked into doing something similar but determined it to be to much work to do so. Also, leaving the Solana partition in tact, I can always go back to the original configuration by simply capping the bulkheads. Leaving the partitions in tact also creates spaces for cryptic organisms to populate. I have a ton of small sponge, pods and stomatella snails in this area.

I'll post some pics of the back area for you if this helps.

 

[Arkayology]

That FTS is really awesome. Your colonies look like they are doing very well!

 

[ShaunMonahan]

That FTS is really awesome. Your colonies look like they are doing very well!

Thanks SoCalDude! Most were started as frags and have really started to grow.

 

[james1990]

I just came across this thread. Really, awesome job, one of my new favorite nanos in forum land. I just upgraded from a 9gal to a shallow 30gal (24x24x13) and hope to achieve the same SPS density as yours. Once I figure out how to dose I plan on beginning my clam addiction and cant wait! yours are awesome.

Can you tell me which cal reactor you have? I was told that they are hard to dial in especially on a smaller reef set up and to go with dosing 2 part instead. Im a fan of doing things once and the right way and still feel a reactor might be best. Could you share some insight on how you go about it?

thanks! inspiring tank

 

[ShaunMonahan]

I just came across this thread. Really, awesome job, one of my new favorite nanos in forum land. I just upgraded from a 9gal to a shallow 30gal (24x24x13) and hope to achieve the same SPS density as yours. Once I figure out how to dose I plan on beginning my clam addiction and cant wait! yours are awesome.

Can you tell me which cal reactor you have? I was told that they are hard to dial in especially on a smaller reef set up and to go with dosing 2 part instead. Im a fan of doing things once and the right way and still feel a reactor might be best. Could you share some insight on how you go about it?

thanks! inspiring tank

Thanks for the compliments! Congrats on your upgrade - I like the dimensions you have chosen for you new cube.

I am running the AquaMaxx nano calcium reactor (MarDep). They look like they changed the design some from the model I have, but these are very nicely built and easy to set/adjust.

I agree with you: I prefer a CA reactor vs dosing 2 part for the reason of keeping the tanks ions balanced correctly. IME, small tanks with a heavy CA, MG and ALK needs are best maintained with a reactor. Nothing good happens fast in this obsession, especially in a small reef.

Other than feeding my fish heavily, I add some weekly logul's Iodine and that is all do to maintain water chemistry parameters.

I will be setting up an auto top-off this weekend to keep me from having to manually adding freshwater. I look forward to this being automated.

 

[Acronic]

Beautifully packed tank. So many clams! Im blown away that you have so many corals in a 34.....WITH XENIA!!!!!!!!

 

[ShaunMonahan]

Thanks Kevin! I have made a few additions believe it or not. I'll see if I can post some new pics this weekend.

 

[plyle02]

Thanks Kevin! I have made a few additions believe it or not. I'll see if I can post some new pics this weekend.

Looking forward to an update, more pics...

 

[Felix1021]

This is sick tank

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

 

[GPB]

I love the skimmer set up. I have a remora hanging on my 10g sump. Nice tank. Hope mine is that good someday.

 

[smartandfast]

That's one packed 34gallon tank!

 

[escogs]

nice. what additives r u using?

 

[rchavez]

Love the pink catspaw sps!

 

[drouner]

Awesome tank. I'm part of the 34 gal Solana club. I'm struggling to decide on that right light for my mixed Solana tank. I see that you had T5's before the AI. Can you speak the positives and negatives you experienced using the two types of lighting.

 

[ShaunMonahan]

This is sick tank

Thanks Felix!

I love the skimmer set up. I have a remora hanging on my 10g sump. Nice tank. Hope mine is that good someday.

Thanks! Be patient and it will be

That's one packed 34gallon tank!

Yes it is. I have new additions since the last FTS.

nice. what additives r u using?

Just the Ca reactor and a weekly drop of Iodine. I feed heavily for my clams sake.

Love the pink catspaw sps!

Thank you! Stylo is also one of my fav sps corals.

Awesome tank. I'm part of the 34 gal Solana club. I'm struggling to decide on that right light for my mixed Solana tank. I see that you had T5's before the AI. Can you speak the positives and negatives you experienced using the two types of lighting.

I actually had a 250MH Radium on this tank prior to the LED's. My growth rates are not as fast with the LED, but for the way lower wattage, no lamp replacements, and color adjusting/dimmable features - it been WELL worth it to have switched. The coral's color is about equal to that of MH.

 

[echopiece]

Amazing tank!!

 

[tcmfish]

Do the SPS out compete the xenia? Everything I have heard is it is a weed, but it sure does provide some nice movement and fills in the gaps.

Do you do any maintenance to keep it in check?

 

[ShaunMonahan]

Amazing tank!!

Thank you echopiece

Do the SPS out compete the xenia? Everything I have heard is it is a weed, but it sure does provide some nice movement and fills in the gaps.

Do you do any maintenance to keep it in check?

The xenia will most def out compete the sps. It is a weed, yes. But for me it's a weed worth keeping as I enjoy the movement and it is easy to remove when it gets out of hand. I manually remove it when necessary.

 

[rfalvey89]

Very nice tank!

.=