34G SPS Solana

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I took down the big tank after accepting a job in Singapore and set up a smaller 34G Solana all in one cube that my younger brother was going to care for while I am gone. 3 weeks later and I have been offered an even better job here in Vancouver. A new animation studio is opening up this fall and its the best opportunity I have ever had so as much as I would prefer to go to Singapore, I kind of have to stay...

My fiance and I are going to vacation in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines for two months before I start the new job, so not all that bad.

Also the big tanks had started to really consume my life and it's been nice to not have them around the past few weeks. I actually go outside again and do things non aquarium related. My fiancee couldn't be happier ;)

34G Solana
DIY stand/light holder 'arm'
Vortech MP20
250 watt HQI LumenMax 3 pendant
250 watt Phoenix 14K
Pacific Coast 1/13 HP chiller
JBJ Auto Top Off
Aquacontroller Jr.

Lights are on 4pm to 10pm
Temperature stays around 80 so far, chiller kicks in at 81...seems to come on about once every few hours
5G water changes once a week with DD salt
I dose Ca, Alk and Mg manually each day but I will get some dosing pumps eventually

Skimmerless...the solana comes with a skimmer but I didn't want to bother since I want this tank to be really maintenance free.

Fish

Pair of clowns
Fang Blenny
Orange spotted sleeper goby

Inverts

some kind of small conch
5 peppermint shrimp
5 snails
Green gigantea carpet anemone

Corals are mostly SPS and zoas with a few gorgonians and a few LPS. All I really plan on adding to this tank are photosynthetic gorgonians and some more zoas. I had a AEFW scare and don't really want to mess with adding more acros since I can't QT them. I found some on a brand new colony I had bought and ended up tossing the whole thing :(

Stand being built:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6486.jpg

Finished:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6487.jpg

So same style as the old one as you can see here:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6489.jpg

Honestly, the room is so much nicer without the big tank too...

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6628.jpg

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

My SPS browned really badly after the move. I guess the combo of stopping ZEO and moving was hard on them. I didn't loose any luckily except some that already were not looking too good before the move. About 3 weeks later and they are getting better and better but the color is taking way longer than I thought to come back. Mostly the bases of the corals look good but the polyps are brown. Anyone know why? Polyp extension since the move has been crazy though...so much more than before. It really seems kind of weird. Anyone know why this might be? Most of the corals are kind of fuzzy brown LOL. Once they retract their polyps, the corals are much brighter again. All I can think of is that maybe the polyps take longer to color back up?

Anyways....

The carpet nem made the move just fine:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6502.jpg

Full tank:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6750.jpg

Kind of a top down:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6777.jpg

[Blom]

Always liked the Solana's, have to say your pads not to shabby either! Enjoy the trip and congrats on the new job.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Haven't had this long but I hope it colors up. I think it might be really nice eventually:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6741.jpg

This one lost a LOT of color :(

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6740.jpg

Same here :( But you can see PE is still good.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6742.jpg

This was white with purple tips...now brown with kind of purple tips:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6662.jpg

Some nice zoas:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6739.jpg

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

This frag is new. I can't get a good photo of it though. It's always blurry. It's still got some good color. Just need to figure out how to shoot it properly. I know this will be one of my favorites! Love anything with green tips...especially if the base is purple!

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6661.jpg

Used to be white with green tips and even greener polyps:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6663.jpg

Haven't had this all that long but it's lost it's color too.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6676.jpg

This one hasn't! Most all LPS look great still :D

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6765.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6672.jpg

[Myka]

Looks great!! Really nice nano goin on there.

Is your floor and wall bare cement? That looks kinda cool. You're in Van, so it doesn't get that cold there, but is it tough to keep warm in the winter?

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

This is new too. I really, really like this one. Going to be interesting to see what happens because so far anything that has a white base color has browned. But maybe that was just the move. I hope this one stays like this!

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6762.jpg

The Blenny :)

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6738.jpg

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Always liked the Solana's, have to say your pads not to shabby either! Enjoy the trip and congrats on the new job.

Thanks!

Looks great!! Really nice nano goin on there.

Is your floor and wall bare cement? That looks kinda cool. You're in Van, so it doesn't get that cold there, but is it tough to keep warm in the winter?

Yes the walls and floor are unfinished cement. We really love it since you can be pretty hard on them. Most of the floors are heated underneath, so easy to keep warm. But actually we rarely used the underfloor heating because gas is free in the building and the fireplace is easily warm enough. Being concrete it retains heat and cold easily. So easy to cool in the summer and heat in the winter.

Oh and silent! We can be very loud in here and not worry about neighbors. Actually you can never hear the neighbors unless they really slam something on the ground.

[VFX]

Hey Justin nice Solana! Very sweet indeed.

I thought about putting my MP20 in the same spot as yours but i was scared that if the power ever fails & the return pump stops then the drive part of the Vortech will get submersed.

Did you build something in the back there to protect it?

ps. didn't know you were an animator. I nearly made to jump to Singapore too a couple of years ago but ended up coming to Vancouver.

.

[lobsterboy]

thats lookin sick Justin.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Hey Justin nice Solana! Very sweet indeed.

I thought about putting my MP20 in the same spot as yours but i was scared that if the power ever fails & the return pump stops then the drive part of the Vortech will get submersed.

Did you build something in the back there to protect it?

ps. didn't know you were an animator. I nearly made to jump to Singapore too a couple of years ago but ended up coming to Vancouver.

.

So your an animator too? :D

I made a dry box out of glass. I would suggest acrylic though since the glass is a little heavy. I was lucky because the box sits (rests) on top of the elbox for the return plumbing. Otherwise the MP20 magnets are not strong enough to hold up the glass box. I have seen people use acrylic though and it does hold the acrylic in place no problem. I made my box 7" tall and its perfect. I think it's 4"x3.5"x7". 1/4" glass. Lots of silicone. Still makes me nervous but it did hold water, so I assume its sealed.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

thats lookin sick Justin.

Thanks man :biggrin:

I am pretty happy about it. Even though I am 99% sure I will be staying here, I have enjoyed this tank much more than any big tank I have owned...maybe just cause it's new though. I miss the fish but they all went to great homes.

It's just nice because it's a fraction of the maintenance and cost of the bigger tanks.

My only concern still is skimmerless. We'll see how that goes with an sps tank.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

VFX- This is my 'dry box' It's held up partly by the vortech magnet but also resting on the return 90 degree elbow. Sorry not the best picture.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6783.jpg


And one from a member on RC. His is acrylic and in the middle compartment.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6734.jpg

My concern with the acrylic is that I had heard it can craze and it worried me that in such a small space, it could over heat the acrylic. Probably not a real concern but that along with the fact that glass is easier for me to work with was enough for me to try glass.

[VFX]

I've worked as an animator, but I've been comp for about 8-9 years now with occasional bits of animation work. I found that with my barely average 3D skills I got a better rate doing comp.

My Solana is virtually all SPS so I wanted to keep using a skimmer. I used the standard skimmer but it was way too loud & found I could only get it to pull really wet skimmate. Then I tried no skimmer & lots of water changes (10g a week) & now I'm back to skimming as I went from 2 fish to 4 fish. I might try a Tunze 9002 in there as I'm pleased with how they run on my 15g.

Cool, thanks for the box dimensions & pics. I have some acrylic lying around, I might knock something up & see how it goes. I think I'll still be nervous about it though (esp. with my DIY skills). Unless you want to build me a glass box in exchange for cash? :mr grren:

btw - don't you think the reef crest mode is just too damned sick in a 20" cube! Do you have yours turned up to max?

.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I've worked as an animator, but I've been comp for about 8-9 years now with occasional bits of animation work. I found that with my barely average 3D skills I got a better rate doing comp.

My Solana is virtually all SPS so I wanted to keep using a skimmer. I found the standard skimmer but it was way too loud & I could only get to pull really wet skimmate. Then I tried no skimmer & lots of water changes (10g a week) & now I'm back to skimming as I went from 2 fish to 4 fish. I might try a Tunze 9002 in there as I'm please with how they run on my 15g.

Cool, thanks for the box dimensions & pics. I have some acrylic lying around, I might knock something up & see how it goes. I think I'll still be nervous about it though (esp. with my DIY skills). Unless you want to build me a glass box in exchange for cash? :mr grren:

btw - don't you think the reef crest mode is just too damned sick in a 20" cube! Do you have yours turned up to max?

.

Comp work probably makes more money than animation these days I think, so you made the right choice.

I am thinking of getting a 9002 as well actually. Under $200 and seems really nice for a nano skimmer. I just want to keep trying skimmerless for a while longer. I also have four fish, so I do worry a little. The plan was to only keep the two clowns but then I thought the goby would be good to keep the sand clean and I really didn't want to give up the blenny.

My DIY skills are not great either but I could build one for sure. I think you would be fine though if you go get the glass cut and then silicone it. It's really easy.

I do have the MP20 up to the max in reef crest mode. I think it's perfect for this tank. It hits the front glass and really swirls around.

[VFX]

Once all your corals settle down in there, I'd be interested to know how they are under 250w HQI.

I've been itching to change my standard 150w for a 250w Sunpod.

For me everything is looking nice & PE is decent but nothing grows very fast. Maybe going to 250w & less photo period may help.

I might give the dry box a go... I guess I'll test it extremely thoroughly before I use it!

.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Once all your corals settle down in there, I'd be interested to know how they are under 250w HQI.

I've been itching to change my standard 150w for a 250w Sunpod.

For me everything is looking nice & PE is decent but nothing grows very fast. Maybe going to 250w & less photo period may help.

I might give the dry box a go... I guess I'll test it extremely thoroughly before I use it!

.

Just build one and then fill it with water for a day to make sure there are no leaks. I honestly didn't test mine for all that long. I really should have but I used a ton of silicone and am confident its very well sealed.

You have me thinking now though...tomorrow night, I may take it out and fill it with water overnight just to double check. Obviously there is a lot to loose if it leaks!

So far I love the 250. My corals seem very happy under it. The browning is not from the lighting I don't think. More just the transition from big ZEO tank to skimmerless small tank.

I think I will give it a good month or two before I change anything. If at that point, things have not improved, I will get a skimmer and start to rethink things.

[Myka]

I would be a little worried about running it skimmerless for SPS too, but correct me if i'm wrong, I think you're fairly experienced, so that will help you out. The Deltec Nano skimmers are quite small, and quite good too, would it fit in the back compartment? They fit in BioCubes...

[Doug]

Looking good. Wish my cube had the filtration section like yours.

When I sold my Deltec, planned on another skimmer and still do but its been a couple months now running skimmerless and my tank and sps are all fine.

For a tank like yours, I would look at the new Euroreef nano skimmers. Seem to have good reviews and custom made for your own tank. I have the link to the store in the US, if you would like it. Talked to them a couple times now, in regards to their skimmers.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I would be a little worried about running it skimmerless for SPS too, but correct me if i'm wrong, I think you're fairly experienced, so that will help you out. The Deltec Nano skimmers are quite small, and quite good too, would it fit in the back compartment? They fit in BioCubes...

I have had salt tanks for about 7 years now but I have not really kept SPS all that long...I had an SPS tank when I lived in Miami for about 2 years that wasn't a great success and then I have been keeping one here in Vancouver about a year again. I am confident enough I can do it skimmerless but it may be more maintenance that way and I really want low maintenance.

I will look into the Deltec Skimmers. Which model are you talking about?

Looking good. Wish my cube had the filtration section like yours.

When I sold my Deltec, planned on another skimmer and still do but its been a couple months now running skimmerless and my tank and sps are all fine.

For a tank like yours, I would look at the new Euroreef nano skimmers. Seem to have good reviews and custom made for your own tank. I have the link to the store in the US, if you would like it. Talked to them a couple times now, in regards to their skimmers.

Did they ever come out yet? I kept hearing they were delayed? I would love to see that link when you have a chance.

My only concern might be the price...this thing is really starting to add up!

EDIT: Did some searching and the Euroreef looks really nice. Nice little mesh wheel skimmer. Looks like the one for the Solana is about $150 USD, so not bad at all.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

What do people think about the Nano Euro-Reef (Solana version) compared to the Tunze 9002? I am still kind of leaning towards the 9002 but I am not really even sure why.

[Doug]

Yea, the prices are very good it seems.

How much volume do you figure the tank itself is? Just looking at one at Reef Solutions, unless I can find a better deal at one of our sponsors.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Yea, the prices are very good it seems.

How much volume do you figure the tank itself is? Just looking at one at Reef Solutions, unless I can find a better deal at one of our sponsors.

Well 34G minus LR...maybe around 25? But that's really just a rough estimate! Maybe even less since the tank is not filled all the way to the top.

I think it's safe to say between 20-25G though :)

Are you looking at a Euro Reef from Reef Solutions? I don't see any Euro Reefs on their site. Does any Canadian retailer carry the nano Euro reefs? I don't want to order from the US.

[Doug]

Sorry. I meant to ask the volume of the show portion, minus the sump portion. Just wondering how wide the sump was.

I was looking at the Solana @ RS. I,m going to add a sump to mine but for the price may go the same route as you. Your Solana has inspired me in that direction instead.

So far the only place I have found the Euroreefs was on their own site or the people I have talked with @ Global Aquarium Supply in the US

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Sorry. I meant to ask the volume of the show portion, minus the sump portion. Just wondering how wide the sump was.

I was looking at the Solana @ RS. I,m going to add a sump to mine but for the price may go the same route as you. Your Solana has inspired me in that direction instead.

So far the only place I have found the Euroreefs was on their own site or the people I have talked with @ Global Aquarium Supply in the US

The show portion is 15.5"x20"x20" and the back is 4.5".

I would definitely recommend the Solana! I am very impressed with this tank so far and the back compartments are very well set up. I really didn't want a sump this time and other than going with a custom built all in one, the Solana was perfect.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

The only thing about the Euro Reef is that it will stick out of the top. You will see the collection cup. I have a feeling its a better skimmer than the Tunze just based on design alone but I want to keep this thing really clean looking and free of equipment showing.

I wasn't even going to bother with a Vortech but only bought one because its less equipment in the tank. So to add a skimmer that sticks out of the back kind of defeats the purpose.

I think the Tunze it is. I can get it locally for under $200 and it fits right in the back, collection cup and all.

[Doug]

Cool. Thanks Justin. Thats almost 27g.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Hey Doug, what about this one? I hear good things...

http://ottawainverts.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=568_593&products_id=5573&osCsid=c299790ab9358d85c80dacbdec5b616e

It's a pretty nice looking little skimmer.

[Doug]

I seen them when they were introduced but no idea how good they are. Wonder if some on Rc are using them in their similar tanks.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I seen them when they were introduced but no idea how good they are. Wonder if some on Rc are using them in their similar tanks.

Yeah I have found people on RC and nanoreefs.com who have used them in the Solana with good results.

Apparently the newer models are much better than the original ones.

From what I have read so far, they are probably about the same as the Tunze.

One guy who has used the Tunze, Sapphire and Euro-Reef said the Tunze was middle with Sapphire just a little below it and Euro Reef just a little better. I got the feeling from him that they were all about the same for a moderately stocked nano tank.

I think if I didn't add the goby to my tank, I would probably just not worry about it and get the cheapest one. But with four fish now, I do want to make sure its going to keep up!

[JDigital]

I think I would probably go with the Tunze... I don't think I have ever come across a bad/negative review of them.

That or take a look at the Deltec MCE300... Might be a bit more than you want to spend, but I've seen the 500 in action and its super quiet, and pulls some nice skimmate..

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I think I would probably go with the Tunze... I don't think I have ever come across a bad/negative review of them.

That or take a look at the Deltec MCE300... Might be a bit more than you want to spend, but I've seen the 500 in action and its super quiet, and pulls some nice skimmate..

Actually I would go with the MCE300 even but its hang on the back and there is no way! :lol:

I think it's going to be the Tunze...

[Delphinus]

Tank looks great. I was wondering if Pixar opening its new studio so soon after you accepted the Singapore jobs was going to cross your radar at all. Haha, I'm not surprised at all. :p

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Tank looks great. I was wondering if Pixar opening its new studio so soon after you accepted the Singapore jobs was going to cross your radar at all. Haha, I'm not surprised at all. :p

:noidea: I don't know what your talking about? Pixar? What's a Pixar?







I had heard Pixar might be coming for a year now because I have friends working there (San Fransisco) but I really didn't think it would happen. Vancouver was not the only place they were looking into.

[Delphinus]

Yeah, was sorta hearing bits and pieces about that too. Nonetheless, it's pretty cool it landed in Vancouver. Congrats. :)

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Yeah, was sorta hearing bits and pieces about that too. Nonetheless, it's pretty cool it landed in Vancouver. Congrats. :)

Well...I never said that was the new job did I :wink:

I am going to wait to sign a contract before I say anything about the new job here in Vancouver. Technically as of now, I still have a contract to go to Singapore. I have the offer for a job here but until its in ink...well you know.

They are a very reputable studio though and generally if they say you have a job, you have a job ;)

[Delphinus]

... oh. Um, ok, in that case, file away the congrats and take it out when it's more appropriate. Or regift it in the meantime to someone else who needs it, I don't mind.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

... oh. Um, ok, in that case, file away the congrats and take it out when it's more appropriate. Or regift it in the meantime to someone else who needs it, I don't mind.

LOL...thanks Tony.

I just don't want to get too excited (although I am) until its 100%. It's still a few months away until I meet with the studio to sign a contract and work out details. A lot can change between now and then.

Back to the tank though...

I am getting such mixed reviews about the Tunze 9002 skimmer...

Some say its terrible, some say its great and others seem to say its just another average nano skimmer. I guess thats typical of skimmers but not so reassuring.

Actually on RC, more people seem to hate the thing than like it.

[Doug]

Ya, I read lots of reviews there last night also. Seems about split. Not enough with the Euroreef yet to say its better though. I loved my 9010 but have never seen the 9002.

And I mostly liked it for the simplicity and fool proof skimming it gave me. Also great customer service. However, for straight out skimming, most other models I have seen are as good.

I know I will go with Euroreef, if I switch to a similar type tank. However, that does not mean its a good skimmer. :lol: I just like the reviews I have seen and the price, plus the custom fit for ones specific tank.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Ya, I read lots of reviews there last night also. Seems about split. Not enough with the Euroreef yet to say its better though. I loved my 9010 but have never seen the 9002.

And I mostly liked it for the simplicity and fool proof skimming it gave me. Also great customer service. However, for straight out skimming, most other models I have seen are as good.

I know I will go with Euroreef, if I switch to a similar type tank. However, that does not mean its a good skimmer. :lol: I just like the reviews I have seen and the price, plus the custom fit for ones specific tank.

Apparently ((and I don't know if this is true) I would have to get a new collection cup to fit the 9002 in the back of the Solana. I know I have to take the magnet off and that's a pain but I really don't want to have to buy a new collection cup too!

I spoke to Todd at Global Aquarium Supply and he can ship me the Euroreef nano for around $30 through regular post as a 'gift'. So customs is not a problem.

I really would prefer the Euroreef but I don't want it sticking out of the top of the tank.

[karazy]

have you taken a look at the sapphire aquatics skimmers made for specific AIO's?

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

have you taken a look at the sapphire aquatics skimmers made for specific AIO's?

Yes...so funny you ask because I just ordered one from Ottawa Inverts :lol:

After all the reading I have done over the past few days, it is the only one that seems to have everything I want. Its small and fits IN the back completely and is not seen. Reviews are good that it skims well...a little wet but good enough. And its silent.

Plus it's cheaper than the Tunze even with shipping.

Oh and being a recirc skimmer is kind of cool for such a small model.

[fishytime]

You will have to let us know how much it "sucks"(skimate):mrgreen:

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

You will have to let us know how much it "sucks"(skimate):mrgreen:

I will...I hope it really sucks! :lol:

Haven't been able to find a heck of a lot of info on them since this newer generation of Sapphire Skimmers hasn't been out too long but the people I talked to that do have seem to love them.

We'll see.

[fishytime]

I guess it depends on your definition of skimming huh?.... I had an aquac remora on my 20g and I thought I was skimming:hat:...then, when I fired up the euro-reef....I found out I wasnt skimming jack!:lol:

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I guess it depends on your definition of skimming huh?.... I had an aquac remora on my 20g and I thought I was skimming:hat:...then, when I fired up the euro-reef....I found out I wasnt skimming jack!:lol:

Well yeah...I can't compare this to the last skimmer I used!

That was a $1000 skimmer and this is a $200 skimmer. Not going to compare but I think this will do for what I need. I only have 4 small fish.

Turns out the shipping on that Sapphire is ridiculous and makes it not really worth the price. I didn't quite go through with the order so I might just be back to the Tunze. LOL. At this point I think I will just stick with what I can get locally! I will see if I can negotiate a better shipping price though since I know it can't cost that much to ship across Canada.

Other than the Euro Reef, I have a feeling they are all going to preform about the same. I can't find the nano Euro Reef in Canada though and I am not interested in shipping from the States.

[Delphinus]

So many words. So few pictures of green carpet. <cough cough> <subtle hint> <cough cough> <ok maybe not so subtle> <cough cough>

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

So many words. So few pictures of green carpet. <cough cough> <subtle hint> <cough cough> <ok maybe not so subtle> <cough cough>

Well...Your in luck.

I took some today of my clowns and carpet, I was going to post them tomorrow but if your going to be up and have a need for anemone pictures I could post a few tonight. You might like them...most are close ups :lol:

[BlueAbyss]

PICS! Did you say... pics? I think we all need to see them... well, maybe just one? :biggrin:

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Ok...here's ONE...

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6814.jpg

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Nah...kidding, I have more. But they really didn't turn out great. Most were way out of focus. Just when I thought I was getting the hang of this camera, I screw up some nice shots!

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6827.jpg

Anemone Diving!

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6818.jpg

Wish this one was in proper focus

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6803.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_6801.jpg


And a dead Emerald crab :( This was before lights on. Was checking things out and he was laying on his back, dead. A few hours earlier he was eating hair algae :neutral: Don't know why a crab would just die like this...

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6833.jpg

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

:yell: So...Tony...I posted these pictures tonight for you and I am assuming you went to sleep already :frusty:

I do have a question for you though whenever you do check them out.

If you go back to the FTS at the beginning you will notice the anemone is a very bright green but also smaller. In these pictures, it is not nearly as bright but the anemone is also much bigger (expanded) and has its tentacles extended much longer. The pics are a little dull but probably close to the true color.

It makes sense that as the anemone expands and extends out its tentacles, it gets a little less vibrant. But do they tend to get more and more dull as they actually grow? I have seen large green ones that are more of an olive green and not the bright green you see in my first pictures. Have you (being an anemone fanatic) ever seen large gigantea carpets (let's say 10" plus) that are bright green still?

I am just curious about what to expect.

[Doug]

Well yeah...I can't compare this to the last skimmer I used!

That was a $1000 skimmer and this is a $200 skimmer. Not going to compare but I think this will do for what I need. I only have 4 small fish.

Turns out the shipping on that Sapphire is ridiculous and makes it not really worth the price. I didn't quite go through with the order so I might just be back to the Tunze. LOL. At this point I think I will just stick with what I can get locally! I will see if I can negotiate a better shipping price though since I know it can't cost that much to ship across Canada.

Other than the Euro Reef, I have a feeling they are all going to preform about the same. I can't find the nano Euro Reef in Canada though and I am not interested in shipping from the States.

Thats to bad. I was looking forward to your reviews on the Sapphire. I had the same problem finding a Solana. To much to ship one and they dont ship good. You figure to much shipping costs also, to bring the Euroreef across? {besides it sticking out on you}.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Thats to bad. I was looking forward to your reviews on the Sapphire. I had the same problem finding a Solana. To much to ship one and they dont ship good. You figure to much shipping costs also, to bring the Euroreef across? {besides it sticking out on you}.

Yeah kind of too bad about the Sapphire but I am also not sure I wanted to give it a shot anyways. I would prefer to go with something I know is going to work well and I have spoken to enough people now who like the Tunze. Especially if you have an ATO. I think it will work just fine for my lightly stocked tank.

The EuroReef was actually cheaper to ship here from the US than the Sapphire would be across Canada! Todd from Global got a quote at $29. Said it could be a bit more in the end but wouldn't charge more than $32 with insurance.

The shipping for the EuroReef was good but its just the size for me. I am convinced though that its the best nano skimmer out there...but that's just based on reading and reviews :lol:

[Delphinus]

Thanks for the pics! They look awesome. Yeah, sorry, I went to bed. I'm an hour ahead and not a morning person at the best of times and I've been staying up too late and dragging my butt into work far too late lately so at the early tender hour of midnight last night I actually hit the hay. My strategy backfired BTW, I still had trouble getting up and I still got into work late. AND I forgot my laptop at home, so yeah, I'm totally on fire today! Whoowee! My horoscope said to expect good things today.

Anyhow, they look good, they look really good. Thanks for the pics. :)

I think for the most part, colour is dependent on lighting and they do sorta change in intensity over time sometimes but it's a give and take sort of thing. My green guy is probably around 12" in diameter and it's still fairly bright green, he was tiny when I got him maybe 4"-5". So anyhow no real reason to expect that it will dullen up over time.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Thanks for the pics! They look awesome. Yeah, sorry, I went to bed. I'm an hour ahead and not a morning person at the best of times and I've been staying up too late and dragging my butt into work far too late lately so at the early tender hour of midnight last night I actually hit the hay. My strategy backfired BTW, I still had trouble getting up and I still got into work late. AND I forgot my laptop at home, so yeah, I'm totally on fire today! Whoowee! My horoscope said to expect good things today.

Anyhow, they look good, they look really good. Thanks for the pics. :)

I think for the most part, colour is dependent on lighting and they do sorta change in intensity over time sometimes but it's a give and take sort of thing. My green guy is probably around 12" in diameter and it's still fairly bright green, he was tiny when I got him maybe 4"-5". So anyhow no real reason to expect that it will dullen up over time.

Do you think that the 250 is enough with it being on the bottom? I notice it tends to 'reach' up sometimes, kind of extending towards the light maybe? Starts to look like a toadstool coral when that happens. It really stretches its foot a long way. When it does this, its tentacles are the longest and also most extended they ever get.

Really too bad but I think I am going to have to redo the rockwork to keep the nem happy. And soon. I have noticed its already starting to get shaded a bit by some overhanging rocks and corals :(

I bet it would be happier if I gave it more room and light.

But I will wait to get a skimmer running on the tank for a few weeks I think before I start to move/remove some LR.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Got the Tunze 9002 a few days ago and after modding it to fit in the back, modding the tank to get it to fit and building a riser stand for it, its in the tank and working...well!

I am pretty impressed with how well this thing is preforming already. Nothing like some of the big skimmers I have used over the years but I didn't have high expectations. It has exceeded my expectations for sure.

Also glad I added it because the amount of crap it pulled out in the first night was kind of scary. Never going skimmerless again!

[Delphinus]

How's the carpet doing now? Still reaching up?

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

How's the carpet doing now? Still reaching up?

Missed this...a few weeks ago now.

The anemone is driving me crazy. I think its just a really bad idea for the size tank. Unless I get rid of everything else and only keep the nem lol.

I removed about half the LR from the tank (only about 10 lbs. now) and also removed many corals but I still don't think there is enough room. I moved the anemone off the glass and put it down on the bottom. It has stayed there overnight but who knows...the thing loves to move.

I am on my blackberry now but when I get home, I will take some pictures of the tank as it is now.

[noirsphynx]

The anemone is driving me crazy. I think its just a really bad idea for the size tank. Unless I get rid of everything else and only keep the nem lol.

I've actually thought about finding a Solana and having it for just a blue carpet & a pair of black percs. I think it'd be neat.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I've actually thought about finding a Solana and having it for just a blue carpet & a pair of black percs. I think it'd be neat.

Yeah I think that would be really awesome. I just don't want to do that with this one and I don't want a second tank. I am seriously thinking about selling the anemone and getting some kind of soft coral for the clowns instead.

Since this is my only tank now, I don't want to dedicate it to just the carpet anemone.

For now I think I will just see how things go. As long as the carpet stays where its at now, it's got lots of room and can't harm anything. But if it starts to move, I will probably sell it.

[Carrera75]

Your Solana is looking pretty sweet man. Great job man!
D

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Some pictures from a few hours ago. The anemone is still not so happy and pretty deflated (after I moved it yesterday) but I think its going to be fine.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6996.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG_6977.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_7003.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_7009.jpg

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

The only thing I really dislike about the Solana is that the false wall is textured and not smooth. Its almost impossible to scrap clean and unfortunately coraline is starting to grow over it. I need to figure out some way to keep it clean.

[reeferious]

go for a tuxedo urchin. one i have literally chomped through every bit of coralline growth that i had, much to my dismay.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

go for a tuxedo urchin. one i have literally chomped through every bit of coralline growth that i had, much to my dismay.

Well I guess that would work but I don't really want it to eat coraline off the rocks. The main problem with an urchin though is that it will end up in the anemone I think.

[Delphinus]

Tuxedo urchin - may not be spotless clean but at least they munch coraline so might be better than nothing and you don't have to do any of the work...

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Tuxedo urchin - may not be spotless clean but at least they munch coraline so might be better than nothing and you don't have to do any of the work...

What about the anemone though? Would the urchin stay away?

Once the anemone expands, it takes up much of that sandy area you see on the right.

[Delphinus]

I have a blue tuxedo in with my 2 - no issues with the anemone. Now, dressing itself with zoanthid frags or GSP - that's a different issue. Actually, right now, the only GSP I have left is what grows on the blue tuxedo. It's been wearing the GSP for 2 months solid and I swear it's just growing on him (they're all out and everything). I don't have the heart to pull the stuff off him since it seems to be a rather symbiotic relationship..

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I have a blue tuxedo in with my 2 - no issues with the anemone. Now, dressing itself with zoanthid frags or GSP - that's a different issue. Actually, right now, the only GSP I have left is what grows on the blue tuxedo. It's been wearing the GSP for 2 months solid and I swear it's just growing on him (they're all out and everything). I don't have the heart to pull the stuff off him since it seems to be a rather symbiotic relationship..

I think I will stay away from the urchin because whenever I see them, they are always covered in corals. I would prefer just to figure out a way to do it by hand than have an urchin pulling up all my zoanthids.

I really wish I had put a black acrylic sheet over it when the tank was empty like some other Solana owners have done. I could try now but it would be kind of hard and I couldn't glue it down.

[Delphinus]

Hahah, yeah, I hear ya. Although, FWIW, it bears mention that there is a simple solution, and that's glue stuff down that you don't want relocated on you. I find with zoanthids and zoanthid frag in particular that are always glued onto the most ridiculous of small rubble (my personal favourite is snail shells ... if you ask me, it's not just drinking and driving: friends don't let friends glue frags onto dead snails!!!!), if it's not an urchin that picks them up, something else will in the dead of night and one day you'll be wondering "Hey didn't I have some zoanthid frags there? Aw man."

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Hahah, yeah, I hear ya. Although, FWIW, it bears mention that there is a simple solution, and that's glue stuff down that you don't want relocated on you. I find with zoanthids and zoanthid frag in particular that are always glued onto the most ridiculous of small rubble (my personal favourite is snail shells ... if you ask me, it's not just drinking and driving: friends don't let friends glue frags onto dead snails!!!!), if it's not an urchin that picks them up, something else will in the dead of night and one day you'll be wondering "Hey didn't I have some zoanthid frags there? Aw man."

Yeah that's a good point. Most of my zoas are actually growing on large rocks now. I thought maybe the urchin could actually rip chunks of zoas off of the rocks. Is this not the case?

Do they bother SPS? I have (as you can see) quite a bit of SPS relatively close together on top of that island and I wonder how gently the urchin can move around them? I just don't want to put something in the tank that I regret...I seem to do that with every tank but so far I haven't with this one. I have been very careful about what goes into this tank. Especially since its so small.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I finally figured out how to adjust the whitebalance in photoshop with RAW files and I think my pictures are finally getting a more accurate color to them. I had been trying to figure out how to get all the blue out of the photos (that isn't seen in real life) for months and I never realized its as easy as using an eye dropper in the whitebalance editor in photoshop to select something white (sand) and it will adjust everything else accordingly.

Here are some shots after whitebalance adjustment. I tried to get some top down shots but it was impossible so this is as close as I could get. They get a tiny bit distorted because of the angle I shot from but still kind of cool.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_7022.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/_MG_7034.jpg

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Not feeling so great tonight, so home taking camera phone pics. Not the best quality but decent. They uploaded kind of small too.

I found some Zoa eating Nudibranches the other day. Got the few I saw out and haven't found many yet but I am sure they are there, so I picked up a Sixline wrasse hoping he may eat them. As soon as he acclimated, I blew the zoas off and one nudibranch came off...he ate it right away! I found one more after that and he ended up eating it too. So far all my zoas look fine and are growing still. Pretty easy to tell when the nudi's are on them since they close up.

Anyways, the wrasse (hes tiny):

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/6Line.jpg

Some random shots:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG00029-20090619-2152.jpg

This is my favorite coral. Just so tiny still!

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG00035-20090619-2155.jpg

Picked up 3 small Tuxedo Urchins for some of the hair algae I have and to hopefully keep the back wall a little cleaner. I hope they eat coraline!

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r179/Justinpsmith/IMG00038-20090619-2155.jpg

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Carpet anemone just ate my Fang Blenny infront of me and there was nothing I could do :sad:

Watched him slowly get pulled in as the blenny struggled to get free and got more and more stuck as he did. The blenny eventually gave up and just kind of looked around and he was engulfed. Very sad. The clowns were also biting the blennies head as he got eaten. Not a nice way to go!

I think the anemone is making my decision on whether to keep it or not easier though. The stupid thing has limited what I can keep in the tank and now its eaten my favorite fish...

[JDigital]

Carpet anemone just ate my Fang Blenny infront of me and there was nothing I could do :sad:

Watched him slowly get pulled in as the blenny struggled to get free and got more and more stuck as he did. The blenny eventually gave up and just kind of looked around and he was engulfed. Very sad. The clowns were also biting the blennies head as he got eaten. Not a nice way to go!

I think the anemone is making my decision on whether to keep it or not easier though. The stupid thing has limited what I can keep in the tank and now its eaten my favorite fish...

Ohhhh man! that's rotten... Nem comes OUT!

[Delphinus]

Sorry to hear :( I've never lost a fish to a gigantea so I'm surprised to hear it .. maybe the fact that it's a smaller tank is a concern when attempting a mixed setup. Yeah, sounds like you'd be happier finding the 'nem a new home. Good luck. :neutral:

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Anyone have any ideas of what I could replace the anemone with?

[banditpowdercoat]

I have a Toadstool leather that 2 clowns host in, thats an option. My Long tenacle Anemone in the other tank has made snacks of a Tuxedo Urchin(maybe) and Sea hare(for sure). But left my Goby, Blenny, and other fish alone.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I have a Toadstool leather that 2 clowns host in, thats an option. My Long tenacle Anemone in the other tank has made snacks of a Tuxedo Urchin(maybe) and Sea hare(for sure). But left my Goby, Blenny, and other fish alone.

If I get rid of the anemone, I might just try something like a Colt coral and see if they like it.

I don't know though...as sad as I feel about the blenny and mad, I don't want to get rid of the anemone! If I keep it then I will never add more fish while it's in there. I don't think that would be very responsible. I might even try to get the new sixline out if I keep the anemone. Just keep the clowns since they won't get eaten.

[banditpowdercoat]

Banggai cardinal's are alright with Anemone's as well. When I first got my benggai, he hosted in the anemone for 3-4 months, till the clown's started and evicted him. I was initialy shocked, thinking he was going to get eaten, but nope