Solana 34g Cube Caribbean biotope

[G_Sanab922]

Hello reefers,

recently purchased this tank from a friend, it's a 34g Solana , as the title states. Using an LED from I have no idea where (I think from eBay) lol.
Also came with Tunze Osmolator, InTank Media rack , Eheim return pump, heater , stand and a few other little things.
Recently moved into a small apartment with my wife since we got married just over a month ago. The tank is Perfect for what we need and the stand goes great with our furniture.
Happy wife happy life
So after decorating most of the apartment I wanted to start the tank so I called Sanctuary Aquarium. I'm sure most here are not familiar with him since he's down here in key largo, but I called to get some live rock and water. I let him pick the rock for me and I couldn't have been happier. He got me some really nice and interesting pieces. Overall a great experience so I recommend anyone in this area to use him if you need to.
On top of the rock and water I didn't have to buy much, the only big thing I needed was another pump. After some research I decided to go with the Jebao RW-4. Haven't installed it yet but it looks great and it's very compact, which is something I was looking for.
As for livestock , not really sure what I'll be going with. Probably have my wife pick some to get her more involved.
Feel free to make any suggestions or ask any questions. Will post some pics soon. Let me know what you think of the aquascape.

 

[G_Sanab922]

 

[G_Sanab922]

So after thinking about what my livestock will be, I've decided on a Keys/Caribbean biotope.

For fish I'm thinking
Yellow head jawfish preferably juveniles
Peppermint Bass
Yellow face pike blenny ( anyone with experience on these? )
Maybe a Chromis
Flame Cardinal fish
Red Spotted Hawkfish

I don't plan to house all of these fish but just throwing some ideas out there.
Would also really like a file fish, but I'm not sure if there are any small species here in the Caribbean. Have to look it up.
Will try to maybe go out and collect when I can but most likely during the summer.

 

[G_Sanab922]

Water cleared up and RW4 is working great

 

[G_Sanab922]

Just picked up a reef keeper elite ! Can't wait to set it up. Anyone that has/d one, any tips ?

 

[G_Sanab922]

34g Solana
Update :



Cycle is finished. Have some algae right now but added a small clean up crew a few days ago and they've been going to work. Just the regular Astrea Snails , Blue Legged Hermitcrabs and I saw a nice Halloween hermit so I decided to get it. Pretty cool little fella. Also got a cleaner shrimp.

Did a trade the other day as well that was unexpected because I didn't want to put corals in my tank yet. But got a Blue Pinwheel Zoa , blue mushrooms, yellow palys and a small ricordia. They have all opened up nicely so that's good.

Also today I got a ReefKeeper elite . Thanks to Ricky for the smooth easy transaction.

Looking forward to setting it up.

I also need to purchase a skimmer, so I'll be doing that ASAP.

Then I'll put my first fish. Start with something peaceful. Maybe even a neon goby pair.

 

[chrisparks]

Nice looking tank, you can never go wrong with a solana cube!!! I think solana tanks are by far one of the best looking AIO tanks ever made. I finally found one 6 months ago after searching for 2 years. Where did you get the top from? I made an amazing looking open canopy for mine, well my dad did the hard work but it was my ideas haha. What kind of skimmer are you going with? I went with the I'M Midsize ghost but I desperately need an auto top off system, even with my maxspect razor LED I still lose a gallon of water every 4-5 days from evaporation and messing with it. When the water level fluctuates it throws this skimmer off.

 

[G_Sanab922]

Your solana looks nice ! [emoji106]
I got mine from a friend that moved. That's the original lid I believe and I have a glass on top that helps with Evap. The only problem with it is that it's not tall at all. Probably half an inch taller than the tank. So it really limits me on what equipment I can get. Can you take pics of the inside of your canopy ?
Right now I'm trying to get a Tunze 9002 with InTank collection cup. Those fit perfect. I would like a better one but it'll be good for now.
The ATO I have is the Tunze Osmolator. I freaking love that thing ! It's awesome. Very easy to set up and works flawlessly. Just needs cleaning every so often (monthly or bimonthly) ,I have a regular storage bin in the standard stand in the bottom and i put 3 gallons of top off and I still have plenty after a week.

 

[G_Sanab922]

Nice looking tank, you can never go wrong with a solana cube!!! I think solana tanks are by far one of the best looking AIO tanks ever made. I finally found one 6 months ago after searching for 2 years. Where did you get the top from? I made an amazing looking open canopy for mine, well my dad did the hard work but it was my ideas haha. What kind of skimmer are you going with? I went with the I'M Midsize ghost but I desperately need an auto top off system, even with my maxspect razor LED I still lose a gallon of water every 4-5 days from evaporation and messing with it. When the water level fluctuates it throws this skimmer off.

Oh and how is the flow with the vortech?

 

[chrisparks]

MP10 works great I run it on reef crest at 80% and even with my stupid amount of rock I don't have any dead spots. I do use a small power head that points at the surface of the water because i was having issues with a oily film popping up every once and awhile before i got the MP10. I bet the with the MP10 I probably don't even need the small powerhead but more flow never hurts haha. I wish I had a nice camera, my cell phone does not take good pictures at all. Let me take some pictures of this canopy then I will post them up.

 

[chrisparks]

 

[G_Sanab922]

I really like your canopy, very nice . I'll post more detailed pics of mine . To show you how it looks.

Your MP10 doesn't stir up your sand ? My RW-4 is really strong, I always have to keep it on a low setting. And normally on the pulsing setting. Still love it though.

 

[G_Sanab922]

 

[chrisparks]

I have a stupid amount of rock so I think that's why it doesn't kick the sand around that much. That and my sand has settled for over 6 months before getting my MP10. After a few months you should be able to turn your powerhead up. I always thought ecotech pumps were over priced and not worth it, but I got lucky and made a trade for the one I have and I am completely sold on it. I would like to see some shots of your tank, definitely keep me updated.

 

[chrisparks]

How did you get your coralline algae to take off like it looks in that picture? I got a little bit on a few rocks right now but it seems like it's taking forever.

 

[G_Sanab922]

Nice , yea ill let it settle and see what happens.
That rock full of coralline with the mushrooms and polyps is the one I got from a trade the other day. That's why it looks full of coralline lol. But yea my rocks were pulled from established tank so I have weird sponges and spaghetti worms all over with one other rock full of coralline. Right now the algae is starting to go away little by little. Might add a couple more snails if anything.

 

[G_Sanab922]

Update:

So I went to the LFS to get a filter pad and fish food but of course I saw other things I couldn't resist!
My LFS has some nice frags for a good price so I purchased some Nuclear Green Palys and a small rock with 4 Super Saiyan Zoas and 2 of another zoa I haven't identified yet. Also got a Purple Gorgonian I think it's called. For fish I decided to at least get something that moves in the tank so I went with a small chromis they had there. Overall happy with everything and they all have opened up. Will try to post some pics later.

 

[G_Sanab922]

 

[G_Sanab922]

Today I went to KP Aquatics and I couldn't have been happier with my purchase. Great people , service , corals , fish and everything. This isn't your typical retail shop so don't expect anything fancy. They are very popular online retail and also do wholesale as well. If you are looking for Caribbean livestock then here is the place to order/visit. I picked up a Neon Goby mated pair and a Purple Plume Gorgonian.
The neon gobies are so cool. They never leave each other's side and are very active going around everywhere exploring their new home.
As for the Purple Plume Gorg , I'm very happy as well ! After about an hour in the tank I could already see some nice polyp extension. Overall a great experience ordering from KP Aquatics.
Thanks so much Kara and Phillip !

 

[G_Sanab922]