My Solana XL67 Build

Teeb · Apr 29, 2012

After tearing down my Cadlights Artisan 40g, I ended up getting a awesome deal on this Solana XL67. I figued the extra 1' of space would be nice so I decided to set this one up. I had it up and running with most of the factory equipment, but wasn't happy with how everything was running. I recently moved to a new a place and decided to make a few upgrades while I had it drained.

Hardware:
Tank: Solana XL67 48" x 18" x 18" 3 side Starphire
Stand: Factory Black Stand
Sump: Custom 30" x 18" x 16" Acrylic
Return Pump: Sicce 3.0
Skimmer: Reef Octopus SRO-1000XPSSS
Biopellet Reactor: Reef Octopus BR-70
GFO Reactor: Reef Octopus OCT-MF1000
Flow: 2 x Vortech MP10ES
Lighting: 2 x Black AI Sol
Control: DA RKE Net (Will be replaced with an Apex once budget allows)
Misc:
Tunze 1075.500 Sump Inlet Filter
TLF KW100 Kalkwasser Reactor
Sicce 1.0 ATO pump
Custom AI Light Arms

Here's some crappy cell phone pics, my DSLR is still in a box....somewhere. More pics to come as I make progress.

Closeup of the mounts. I like these WAY better than anything AI provides.

Dark pic of the sump.

revhtree · Apr 29, 2012

I love it! I especially like the extra edge/lip around the stand.

revsgirl · Apr 30, 2012

Nice!!

Teeb · May 2, 2012

Thanks!

Made some headway on the plumbing. Sorry, I know the pics suck, still can't find my real camera.
The Tunze sump inlet.

Biopellet reactor output next to skimmer.

Manifold to BP reactor.

Probe and float switch holders

Just need to reroute some electrical wires and clean a few other things up, then the sand and rock go in.

mcmillion050804 · May 6, 2012

where did you get the mounts for your AI's?

revhtree · May 6, 2012

Looks good!

Teeb · May 6, 2012

mcmillion050804 said:
where did you get the mounts for your AI's?

A buddy of mine builds them, I can get you his info if you'd like.

Teeb · May 8, 2012

My first attempt at aquascaping. The pic really sucks, LED's and camera phones don't mix well.

I'm still on the fence about it, I know I want dual islands and lots of open swimming room, but I'm not sure about the exact layout.

Reef Breeders · May 8, 2012

Cool tank, nice and sleek. I like the fixture hangers!

larryl · May 8, 2012

Great looking tank, keep up the good work!

pumarjr · May 8, 2012

When I redo my scape, I will not place my rocks in the middle like that again, i lost so much real estate to that type of scape. Not taking away from yours in any way. It looks great, nice and clean.

Teeb · May 8, 2012

Do you mean the gap in between them?

Teeb · May 9, 2012

Another try at aquascaping. I can't decide which I like better if either. Any suggestions?

aherre07 · May 9, 2012

I like a more open look without the typical rock wall. more space for corals to grow and fish to swim.

JSB · May 9, 2012

Not to take away from your tank or scape at all, but may I offer a suggestion? In nature, rarely are things symmetrical. So an island in the dead center of the tank, or two same-height, same-width islands placde exactly center of the two sides of the tank does not give a natural feel. Aquascaping in not unlike photography where, balance is created not with symmetry, but with placements of objects in relation to the golden section and rule of thirds. Imagine the intersections of the lines on a tic-tac-toe board.

Using that idea, if you want a center island, just push it off to the side a little and leave the top a little less than level. It will have a more natural feel. If you want two islands, cheat one towards the center and one towards the edge, make one taller and one shorter, one larger and one smaller, one closer to the front and one closer to the back. I think you will be surprised how much more natural it looks and feels.

Nice tank, by the way.

Teeb · May 9, 2012

Thank you for everyone's input, I suck at aquascaping, so I welcome the advice. I redid it again and think I'm satisfied with it. Gonna see how I like it over the next few days before I putty it in. What does R2R think?