Building a tank set-up around the Solaris

owsi

In Memoriam
Well since getting the AC, I found a 20Amp circut that I can run to the wall where my FW 110 is now. So I am getting it out, tile underneath, working with Rob at SouthWest to get a new 110 and stand built, looking at Euro-Brace so no center brace will block light. The FW is about 20 years old Corner overflow 60"X18"X23", front glass has scratches, stand in Oak, 3 front and 1 side door so you can slide out sump, no canopy, make offer. Should be availible in about 3 weeks. Any suggestions or heads up about problems any of you have encountered putting together new set ups would be appreciated.New Tank and stand are either Oceanic or Lee-Mar, most likely Lee-Mar, comments? Thanks for any help, John
 
There now I know John is a true reef addict. I was getting worried as he has had that same corner tank the entire time I have known him. I feel the "upgrade" is a true sign of a reefer. Other wise you are just a guy that is unsure if he wants to stay in the hobby :)
While on the subject of upgrading, I am selling one set of dive gear I got from you putting it toward a new BCD. John have you heard or read anything about the Halcyon? A dive buddy of mine has one, and so does Catherine, the lady with the boat I told you about. Nice setup but $$$, might go with a more traditional BCD till I get more dives under me weight belt :) Speaking of more dives, I better get going. Doing my first night dive on the YO-257 off the south shore tonight, and doing the Sea Tiger tomorrow with our new dive friends JB and Catherine.
Hope everyone in Sierra Vista and Tucson are doing great. Obviously I am doing ok, but I do go back and look through all my tank pics at least every week. I do miss it!!

Ed
 
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Tease us why don't you, lol. I did my first night dive in San Carlos a few weeks back. I think i like night just as much as day dives. The variety of life is awesome. I am dieing to go to Hawaii to dive. Maui here I come. Let me know what the best dive spot are........
 
Lol, Had to find more amps and breakers. I'm not up on the last few years in Scuba gear improvements, my only hard rule is what position it will put you in if unconsious. Back floatation are great to dive with but leave you face down. Other point is where are weights located and atached, how easy to dump. Adaquite lift in case you have to rescue is nice too. That Solaris is so cool, you would not believe the features unless you have seen it yourself. This hobby is getting more Buck Rogers all the time, gonna use my Tunzes for a while but Vor-Tech's are on the plannig board too. Take care, John
 
Hey John, sounds fun. I'm sure you already know, but when I had my Lee Mar tank built, they wanted an extra $400 for euro bracing. Something about all the extra edge-polishing.

The only other thing I would change is I wouldn't put the CL drain in the overflow. If I did it again, I would have the CL pull from the main tank. As it is now, during a power outage water backflows through the CL into the overflow and down the main drain. It would flood if I didn't have a check valve on the CL line.
 
Just got done in the roof crawl space, got the 20 amp run to a J-Box above the wall where 110 is. Will break down the 110 FW and do the tile and install a 4 receptacle box when I get the old tank out of the way. This will give me a dedicated circuit for the tank and sump pump and another outlet on a separate breaker to run some Tunze 2002s so if a breaker pops there will still be some flow. Now the wait for all the stuff to start coming.
 
I don't know about everyone else, but I was really hoping for some pictures. Scott, maybe you could help the ol man out! LOL... I did not say old, I said ol hehe

Ed
 
Tank and stand ship Nov 2nd, Solaris approx 1st or 2nd week of Nov, Tear down FW and tile this Monday and Tuesday, I hope
 
I helped them out by bringing over the Nikon D100. That was all it took to get Liz to go buy one for Xmas. They now have the D50. There is no reason for pictures not to be here!

I did my part last year. :p

Maybe I need to call Liz, since John is slacking. His lack of picture taking is why I called his tank: "John's Hidden Reef" ,,,hehehe
 
Its really hidden now, hair algae city. Changed light schedule, Fox died behind rocks. But all should fall in place with new set up/lights, new sandbed (I still beleive in a semi deep sand bed) Sump/with Fuge. Scott if you keep improving the Cerreta Mod on the little Ehiem, might try that on my Euro. The wait is killing me, I know how Gary felt now.
 
Picked up the Sump today, cool design and lots of room. Looks like it will run at about 15 Gallons volume, 36X14X16. A real fuge area too and looks like a bubble free design if the skimmer gets carried away. Nothing to take pics of yet, when I get the tank and stand will start with plumbing and electrical Pics.
 
Lets see pics of the sump.

John, I did come up with an Eheim that you can build for about $200. It has the same specs as the ER Eheim and even uses the ER pinwheel.
 
Scott, Once I get everything set, you'll have to come over and see if you can rework my Euro-Reef CS-5 into a recirculater, (with Eheim/Cerreta Mod, if possible)
 
Electrics in, now have 3 GFI's on two seperate breakers (15 AMP and 20 AMP). The 20 is dedicated to this tank, the 15 will run powerheads so if a breaker pops there will still be circulation. No pic's till I get this mess cleaned up, will seal the tile grout tomorrow, then move some stuff out of center of living room.
 
Ok John, that sounds good. You can buy the recirc kit for $40. I think I have all the tools to do the rest. Will this fit in your sump with the mod?
 
Well the Solaris finaly got here, not impressed with the packing, was told it was to save on shipping. For what this unit costs they should get better box/packing. Only found 6 screws and a skinny lock washer floating around in the canopy, took 20 minutes of shifting and listening and looking to find them all, again this is a lack of QC. The unit seems to be working, will check it out closer tomorrow. I like it so far except for the items mentioned above.
 
It amazes me that loose screws and bad packaging seems to be a given with these lights.
I'm glad to hear that you got it though. I'm looking forward to hear your opinions on the system.
 
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