Solana Cube restoration

reef_junkie · May 16, 2016

Hello my fishy comrades. I have another build that I've been documenting.

I stumbled across a free, broken 34 gallon solana. This makes 2, yes, 2 free 34 gallon Solanas that I've attained.

This one was in fair shape besides the broken back panel. The original stand had a ruined top but at least it still had the stand.

It's not complete yet but I wanted to share it here.

Just after I removed the back glass and the filter wall.

Ruined top on the stand

Getting clean

Masked out and ready for new glass

Filter wall after 2 days in a vinegar bath

Made a new top using reclaimed oak flooring. Decided to go 2"wider on either side.

Sorry for that last blurb pic

Top reinstalled, tank sitting back on its stand.

Glass will be ordered this week along with the rtv silicone. More to come soon.

jsker · May 17, 2016

Looking forward to progress

reef_junkie · May 28, 2016

Got some goodies in the mail yesterday. Glass is taking forever to get here but now I'm 100% ready to replace and reseal.
Goodies included the new IM ato. Still have my reservations on the ato but for the price it was worth checking out.

reef_junkie · May 28, 2016

Made an ato line bracket with parts from Lowes, some leftover acrylic and tubing.

ludnix · May 28, 2016

Following, looks like a fun build! I haven't seen that ATO before, but it seems like a good idea using the conductivity method with a failsafe. Float switches work great but are not impervious to snails or other small animals blocking the floats from moving.

reef_junkie · May 28, 2016

Thanks, im one of those project guys and maybe a glutten for punishment. Its the new model. Released over the fall last year I believe.

ludnix · May 28, 2016

The builds almost more fun the tank for me so I can relate. Is that the light you're planning on using when it's up and running?

reef_junkie · May 28, 2016

Maybe. I've got a MaxSpect Celestial C35f in a drawer somwhere. This tank will be a species only for seahorses but if i decide to add any coral im covered.

reef_junkie · Jun 3, 2016

My Starphire glass came in yesterday. Siliconed in and when I get home today I'll silicone in the filter wall.

reef_junkie · Jun 3, 2016

I just got the filter wall back in. A week to cure then the freshwater test.

andrewey · Jun 3, 2016

Looking good- if I may ask, where did you order your starfire?

reef_junkie · Jun 3, 2016

It was through a local glass company so I really don't know the source. When I picked it up I did the white paper test and I was plenty satisfied with the clarity. To be honest I doubt I received actuall Starphire since that is a proprietary brand of glass but it is in fact low iron.

andrewey · Jun 3, 2016

Thanks for the reply- I've gotten into the habit of calling all low-iron glass "starfire" in the same vein that I call all lip balms "chapstick". I currently have a solana set up (pulled out the back wall), but in the past two years I've repaired and rehabilitated three others, and they're always fun to play with!

reef_junkie · Jun 3, 2016

Its amazing that the 34 gal comes up so often. This is my seccond free one. But the first time I've had to replace a panel. They are fun tanks with great dimensions. It's a shame they were discontinued.

reef_junkie · Jun 3, 2016

And yeah, it's like Kleenex. It's all the same.

915MANG · Jun 3, 2016

I wish they still had them as AIO Cubes.

andrewey · Jun 3, 2016

Yeah, I still think they're probably the best AIO cube in terms of dimensions/price/features. It is a shame they were discontinued.

reef_junkie · Jun 3, 2016

One thing I've never understood is why they designed the return locline so low in the tank. Its deffinitely not something that's seen in newer aio's. I did think about sealing that hole up and relocating but didn't follow through.