Sal Solana Cardiff (not so nano anymore)

[sal9012]

Sal's Solana (new and improved plumbing) and sump!

I figure I'll use this thread to introduce my self on this forum and keep a reef log of some sorts. Hopefully some of my hurdles will help someone else

This tank was a spare tank I had (for a great deal from another member) and was initially set up to host some frags and my daughter's black and white clown.
Long story short, I had to relocate (sell the house) and my 220 and 65 so I ended up with this as my display tank. I have never been a big fan of AIO and was looking to increase my volume as well as filtration capabilities. On the new place (a lot smaller) I negotiated with the wife a small closet under the stairs to hold the equipment and sump as well as the RO and SW mixing stations.
Most of the work is DIY with few exemptions.
Original Solana Cardiff with Stock Back wall:

Empty Tank

Back Wall removed, Drilling

1.5" Glass patty:

Wall Prep:

DIY overflow installed and 2x return lines:

Aquascape and full of water, during cycle:

 

[sal9012]

Behind the closet:
There are 2 sumps connected with each other. Several reasons for this.
1-I have the tanks laying around and tied budget
2-Wanted to have 1 dedicated to the skimmer, filter sock and frag rag with a constant water level
3-Second sump has Refugium, Media rack (Purigen plus whatever I want to put there) plus filter floss, and rerun section with ATO
3- Increase water volume
First Sump

Second Sump

DIY Media Reactors

DIY RO Storage and Sal Mixing station (55 G each)

5 Stage 75 GPD RODI

 

[sal9012]

Corapet #3 sand added while cycling

Holding tank

Cycle finished, started adding corals, I only had a few frags
Free colony from another member

Small frag of AOG got out of a trade

Radioactive Dragon Eyes

BOP zoas

My two tiny bird nest frags, the enchinata on top landed on the pink one and decimated the frag in less than 5 minutes

Tiny acan frag

Another small acan frag (3 heads)

Small enchinata

 

[KLR]

Nice tank!

I really like the acan with the teal mouths!

 

[sal9012]

View from the couch

Some caps and zoas

At this point switched lights to Nova Extreme Pro 6x18 T5HO
Flow was provided by two modified k-nanos + return

Overflow doing his thing

Adjusting the skimmer

DIY Kalk reactor (it has been modified since this picture was taken) It's connected to the 55 G RO container with a Aqualifter conected to the ATO floats.

Both DIY media reactor working (carbon and GFO) pardon the mess Connected to the manifold

New FTS at that time

 

[colorfan45]

That is nice

 

[sal9012]

Nice tank!

I really like the acan with the teal mouths!

Thanks, that was my first

 

[sal9012]

That is nice

thanks

 

[sal9012]

SO, the tank continued maturing, I have sold/trade/bought several corals. Some of the ones that remained have grown and develop. Coloration as improved quite a since the improvements and new lighting took place
Here are updated pictures:
Old top down

New top down

Acans (notice the growth and improve coloration
on all of them)

Zoas

Rics

Dendros

Looking up

 

[sal9012]

Skimmer in action (don't let anyone tell you that Bubble Magus Skimmers are not worth the price)

Picture hog (always in front of the camera)

Baby Rose

Some sps and sexy's

Weird angle

FTS

 

[Azurel]

Good looking tank....Welcome to R2R.

 

[sal9012]

thank you, I'm glad to be here :wink:

 

[condor]

very nice

 

[underwaterfirefighter]

That is one nice set up you have. Corals are looking great. Awesome job!
Welcome to R2R,

Dave

 

[revsgirl]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing!! And welcome to R2R!

 

[BlazinNano]

Awesome tank!. Love how you removed the back wall. I wish I would have done this to my AIO before I set it up

 

[wishntoboutside]

Welcome and great thread. I love all of the pictures. The DYI stuff is very nice too. I will be tagging along on this one looking for updates and more pictures as well.

 

[sal9012]

very nice

thanks

 

[sal9012]

That is one nice set up you have. Corals are looking great. Awesome job!
Welcome to R2R,

Dave

TY sir, It's getting there. Corals like the T5 more than I do

 

[sal9012]

Awesome tank!. Love how you removed the back wall. I wish I would have done this to my AIO before I set it up

Actually I did this after I had mine set up. I had to tear everything apart but I would do it 1000% again. So much better now. and thanks