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lastlight
04-14-2010, 03:52 AM
I like to usually build a false sense excitement with some sort of a drawn-out build thread but I haven't had to build anything this time around. Currently doing a freshwater test and ordering a few loose odds and ends before I get this rig salty.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/solana1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/solana2.jpg

I tried ordering a new Solana today with the SunPod 250w but the LFS no longer wants to carry these tanks. This was the floor model so I'm currently pimping the disco ball but I'm actually loving it now. In time I plan to upgrade to a real skimmer and get more powerful lighting but not right now.

The stock pump seems to have startup issues so I may toss my Eheim 1250 in there instead but already these tiny little overflow teeth are just keeping up with this pump (which is very quiet at least).

I have no idea how old the bulb is or even what kind it is so I may swap that out too. I've never researched 150w bulbs so if anyone has advice for me I'd appreciate it.

burrows14
04-14-2010, 04:05 AM
I like to usually build a false sense excitement with some sort of a drawn-out build thread but I haven't had to build anything this time around. Currently doing a freshwater test and ordering a few loose odds and ends before I get this rig salty.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/solana1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/solana2.jpg

I tried ordering a new Solana today with the SunPod 250w but the LFS no longer wants to carry these tanks. This was the floor model so I'm currently pimping the disco ball but I'm actually loving it now. In time I plan to upgrade to a real skimmer and get more powerful lighting but not right now.

The stock pump seems to have startup issues so I may toss my Eheim 1250 in there instead but already these tiny little overflow teeth are just keeping up with this pump (which is very quiet at least).

I have no idea how old the bulb is or even what kind it is so I may swap that out too. I've never researched 150w bulbs so if anyone has advice for me I'd appreciate it.

For some reason Ive always loved these tanks disco ball and all lol For 150w I used aqua connect 14k de's and really really liked them. I know radium make there 20k in 150w but not sure if it compares to their 400W bulb.

Good luck with the new tank, you just might motivate me to get one of these bad boys finally!

Cheers
Ray

lastlight
04-14-2010, 04:09 AM
Ray when I sell the tank next month you have first dibs I promise =)

burrows14
04-14-2010, 04:17 AM
ha ha Thanks Brett! Im sure youll keep this tank for a while. What you planning on keeping in it?

Ive always ben a big fan of theses tanks too
http://www.current-usa.com/cardiff.html

andestang
04-14-2010, 04:18 AM
I like it. Has the modern decor look. What color stand did you get with it ? For the bulb I would jsu get a 14k Phoenix or Aqua Connect.

lastlight
04-14-2010, 04:23 AM
I wanted espresso finish but this one is the 'modern light' finish and I like it.

I've run AC 250 14k and it was an awesome bulb. Same quality in this wattage? I was going to run the Phoenix 250w in the SunPod since it's a good and cheap bulb and I wondered if the 150w version was also good. Both are good choices?

I'll start slow with a few lps but this tank will eventually be mostly SPS if the lighting allows it.

andestang
04-14-2010, 04:27 AM
I'm running a AC 150 14k over my 33g, I like it. I would compare it to my AC 400's 14k I have on my 150g.

burrows14
04-14-2010, 04:32 AM
I ran The AC 150w's and had tons of growth and great color! I had mainly LPS and a few SPS in the top half of my 24" deep tank. I have never ran the Phoenix 150'9s tho and from what Ive read their 250 bulb is much better than the 150 bulb(according to RC threads)

lastlight
04-14-2010, 04:54 AM
I was having troubles reading the label on the ballast which i mounted on the back of the tank. That is until I remembered I can swivel my disco ball to hang over the back of the tank!

Turns out this is an m81 ballast (hqi) so I'm going to try out the radium 20k (which runs best on hqi) which I read is very intense with not a ton of blue but nice coloration of the tank.

muck
04-14-2010, 05:23 AM
love the cowbell.

brizzo
04-14-2010, 05:43 AM
I wanted espresso finish but this one is the 'modern light' finish and I like it.

I've run AC 250 14k and it was an awesome bulb. Same quality in this wattage? I was going to run the Phoenix 250w in the SunPod since it's a good and cheap bulb and I wondered if the 150w version was also good. Both are good choices?

I'll start slow with a few lps but this tank will eventually be mostly SPS if the lighting allows it.

phoenix bulb is a good choice, very intense blue for the first while. Really gives the lacking color when you don't have actinics. last 3 bulbs have been phoenix 14k 150w on my tank

shrimpchips
04-14-2010, 06:45 AM
Pretty soon you're going to end up with a 1.5g pico. And then where will your chaetoballs roll free?

Since all your creative juices weren't exhausted on desiging this build, I'm expecting some schweet stuff inside that glass box!


edit: Hope your wife is doing much better!

plutoniumJoe
04-14-2010, 06:49 AM
Another build with the type of attention to detail some can only aspire to.

Looks great and style points all around.

Delphinus
04-14-2010, 06:49 AM
Nice orb!

http://fusionanomaly.net/sleeperbigorb.jpg

lastlight
04-21-2010, 05:57 AM
Still doing my freshwater test while I wait for the following to arrive (wait is KILLING ME):

Tunze 9002
Custom Collection cup to fit Solana
Tunze Osmolator
Tunze 6025
BRS 2-part Chems, RO/DI membrane
150w Radium 20k

The done list:

Wired up my new Ranco temp controller today (had sold old one along with my Osmolator when I shut down the last tank). There were a few extra steps/parts since I made a mistake and ordered the 24V (not 120V) version but it's keeping my tank temp perfectly now.

Removed stock pump and have a dead silent (and cooler) MJ600 in there now.

Added sand after a thorough rinsing. Sand is CaribSea and is a nice mix of finer grains with some coral/shell bits.

Wired and attached moonlights. Not sure of the brand but there are 3 LEDS which are tie-wrapped to part of a black plastic coat hanger piece. This is in turn tie-wrapped to the pendant arm.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/moonlight1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/moonlight2.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/moonlight3.jpg

Guts of my stand not as clean and organized as my old one and i totally don't care =) I plan to frost the glass so my shameful pile of cords is hidden. Will have a small topoff reservoir on the bottom shelf...fancy tupperware or something.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/cabinet.jpg

Parker
04-21-2010, 08:13 PM
Looks great Brett!

lastlight
04-21-2010, 09:32 PM
Thanks!

Got my Osmolator hooked up and doing its thing with a dead sexy ice-cream pail for a reservoir. Tunze includes nice magnet mounts rather than the old ladder/screw style ones I previously had. Big improvement although I carelessly had both magnet halves in my hand and forgot for a moment...nice blood blister on my finger now where they came together.

My skimmer is waiting for a collection cup that fits in this tank. I quickly plugged it in and the Tunze Silence pump in the thing is very quiet so already a step up from stock. The air intake seems really loud but I think I got water in it so hopefully when it dries out and the unit is in salt water it'll be quieter.

Still waiting for the BRS stuff so I can get salty. I'm not a patient person!

JDigital
04-22-2010, 04:48 AM
Who are you and what have you done with Brett!? :lol:

Congrats buddy... Looks awesome where it is... Now you got me thinking about doing one in the new place next month..

lastlight
04-22-2010, 05:10 AM
Josh this MAMMOTH tank is a whopping 20" high. I don't think as an ex-shallow reefer you can even entertain the notion =)

On a serious note...you def need to keep your chaetoBalls salty so DO IT UP.

fishytime
04-22-2010, 11:48 PM
well this is one seriously kicked up little cube!.......lookin schweeeeeeeeet mang:biggrin:

I also agree that Josh's cheatoballs should stay salty:mrgreen:

JDigital
04-23-2010, 03:22 AM
I'm not sure I like the idea of 2 grown men talking about my 'balls... :eek:

Leah
04-23-2010, 03:29 AM
I'm not sure I like the idea of 2 grown men talking about my 'balls... :eek:

Really :lol: I am shocked. :twised:

lastlight
04-23-2010, 06:45 AM
I'm not sure I like the idea of 2 grown men talking about my 'balls... :eek:

Grown men? I wouldn't describe either of us that way Josh!

JDigital
04-23-2010, 02:38 PM
Grown men? I wouldn't describe either of us that way Josh!

Grown does not equal mature. :lol:

lastlight
04-23-2010, 05:00 PM
New skimmer cup came today...got my 9002 neatly hidden in the first chamber of the tank ready to go! BRS order is out for delivery and then it's ro/di time. BOOYEAH.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/steviet1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/steviet2.jpg

JDigital
04-24-2010, 12:31 AM
Almost there... Can't wait to see life in there.. :mrgreen:

lastlight
04-24-2010, 01:35 AM
You talkin' bout my chaetoDrawers son?

andestang
04-25-2010, 01:20 AM
Ok where are they?Pics of the rocks you got, not the drawers :) um I can see where this is going. Anyways looks like you got some nice pieces.

fishytime
04-25-2010, 01:20 PM
ya I expected to see scape pics by now Brett!........or did you spend the whole night trying to get it back the way you had it at the shop?:razz:

Leah
04-25-2010, 01:40 PM
[QUOTE=lastlight;512300]Still doing my freshwater test while I wait for the following to arrive (wait is KILLING ME):

Brett,

Honestly.... I think you are the most patient reefer out there. :biggrin:
Can't wait to see what fishy's you pick. :wink:

Delphinus
04-25-2010, 04:30 PM
Honestly.... I think you are the most patient reefer out there. :biggrin:


:lol: "Patient" ... hmmmmmm. No, not going to say another word.

JDigital
04-25-2010, 06:49 PM
ya i expected to see scape pics by now brett!........

qft!

lastlight
04-25-2010, 09:56 PM
Someone was up really late last night getting the first aquascape just right. After watching for a few hours for any signs of life (and finding none) the same idiot decided to shift a rock. Well I got to bed at 4am after totally redoing the 'scape and I have like 4 rocks to worry about.

Doug the lid you let me scape on is bigger than my tank! Yeah these rocks looked monstrous in there and my plans had to change (twice).

Things I noticed about small tanks:

1) It's awesome how they're small and you can really focus your efforts into that space
2) It sucks HARD how they're small and nothing really fits or works

In the end my second scape looked a little less unique/cool than the first but made better use of the light with the slope upwards to the back. I tried to stay off the back wall but the space is 20x20x20 so I did what I had to.

I'm pretty sure the lights should be off but I'm running them anyways since I am the LEAST patient person in the world and need to stare at my lifeless tank LIT =)

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/scape1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/scape2.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/scape3.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/scape4.jpg

lastlight
04-25-2010, 09:59 PM
qft!

I had to look that one up. Watch your tongue young man.

lastlight
04-25-2010, 10:08 PM
Can't wait to see what fishy's you pick. :wink:

I'm a pretty simple guy fish-wise plus the tank IS small.

Fish I like:

Blennies - Tail spot, Lawnmuncher, Bicolour
Baby got Dottyback
Bangin' Cardinals
Royal Grandma
Chromis Dime-a-dozenus
Black 'n White Percs

All pretty basic but I'm sure I'll just SEE fish I want and then...buy them. So my list may be based more on what I happen to see. Leah I'm NOT patient!

JDigital
04-25-2010, 11:47 PM
Get a Tang.

freezetyle
04-26-2010, 01:04 AM
Get a Tang.

or a shark! some just lay on the bottom...:rolleyes:


Glad to see your back josh.

Tank is looking great by the way. love the slope

Delphinus
04-26-2010, 01:07 AM
Looks fine, although to be honest, what I mean to say is I can't really see beyond that orb, but I'm sure the rockwork or whatever that's underneath it is fine.

kien
04-26-2010, 01:22 AM
I think that orb would fit over my head really well..

lastlight
04-26-2010, 01:24 AM
Tony your jealousy is cute. Although I suggest you cut it out before I c-bag you. C is for chaeto foo.

On a serious note anyone HAVE some pods in chaeto I could have? I have eyes like a hawk and this rock is podless.

Delphinus
04-26-2010, 02:32 AM
You're not worried that Judy Jetson is going to want her hair drier back?

andestang
04-26-2010, 04:59 AM
:laugh:

You're not worried that Judy Jetson is going to want her hair drier back?

Check with Levi (zoaElite) he was offering cheato with a bunch of pods, tiny brittle stars awhile back. Things are looking great Brett

JDigital
04-26-2010, 02:28 PM
or a shark! some just lay on the bottom...:rolleyes:


Glad to see your back josh.

Tank is looking great by the way. love the slope


I never left dude... :mrgreen: Just cut back on my posting, been on the forum almost daily. :wink:

kien
04-26-2010, 04:14 PM
Glad to see your back josh.

I never left dude... :mrgreen: Just cut back on my posting, been on the forum almost daily. :wink:

He was actually referring to your back side Josh.. I dunno, maybe he found some racy pictures of you or something ? Or maybe you guys are up to something ? Joshy got back? .. :noidea:

Nice 'scape Brett, I like the simplicity. Have you thought about maybe just getting some live rock rubble from someone and seeding your rocks like you did last time? I'm sure tonnes of people have some rubble kicking around they could lend you.. I know I do.

lastlight
04-26-2010, 04:56 PM
Thx Kien.

Yeah this is live rock...only compared to my last experience with live rock this stuff is pretty inert looking save for maybe 2 or 3 small filtering worms. The rubble is also a great idea to maybe get a few worms or pods in there. Maybe this weekend sometime I can come check the tank out and grab your rubble? We'll have to sort out a trade of sorts =)

kien
04-26-2010, 05:00 PM
Thx Kien.

Maybe this weekend sometime I can come ... grab your rubble?

Is that what the kids are calling it these days?? :surprise: I have such a hard time keeping up with the lingo :redface:

lastlight
05-02-2010, 11:02 PM
Added a fan today and my tank is now a steady 79!

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/azoo.jpg

Still haven't put my Radium bulb in...sorta scared to mess with the DE bulb...never had one before and right now I don't think it's hurting anything to run the stock one.

I have an ARMY of 5 hermits, 1 emerald, and 2 astrea snails doing a bangin' job on keeping my rocks clean.

JDigital
05-03-2010, 02:08 AM
I have an ARMY of 5 hermits, 1 emerald, and 2 astrea snails doing a bangin' job on keeping my rocks clean.

What?! ...... and NO pictures? I want proof that you have life in this tank! :lol:

lastlight
05-03-2010, 03:10 AM
Alright fine.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/life1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/life2.jpg

This one's a little obscene. Parental discretion advised.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/life3.jpg

These two...ummm...yeah I have two fish already. Who was calling me patient earlier? Got'em today and for those wondering I never went through a cycle with this rock.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/life4.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/life5.jpg

kien
05-03-2010, 03:47 AM
whoa, those fans are sexy! Great choice for first fish! Now you just need to start painting those rocks. Let me know if there's anything out of my tank(s) you might be interested in, I'll hook ya up. :biggrin:

lastlight
05-03-2010, 03:56 AM
Let me know if there's anything out of my tank(s) you might be interested in, I'll hook ya up. :biggrin:

Hmm...ok first would be the Profilux. I'll have to think about the rest bro =)

JDigital
05-03-2010, 05:15 AM
Looks photoshopped if you ask me.. :lol:

Whats the first fish? Blenny of some kind?

andestang
05-03-2010, 05:19 AM
Whats the first fish? Blenny of some kind?
Ok that was my question. Next was where did you find those fans? They look pretty slick.

lastlight
05-03-2010, 06:04 AM
Mr shy is a bicolor blenny. When he was out today he was showing that charming blenny personality I love but he's definitely not used to the tank just yet.

The fans are by Azoo and I got them at Ocean City. They're not quiet by any means and I have no problem with hearing them once an hour or whatever for a few minutes. The noise they do make is pretty smooth though so no big deal.

Leah
05-03-2010, 12:51 PM
Hmm...ok first would be the Profilux. I'll have to think about the rest bro =)

Guess that kinda backfired, Kien. :lol:

The tank looks great! :biggrin: Are you sure those fish are in your tank though?
Just checkin. :wink:

lastlight
05-03-2010, 11:37 PM
Thanks Leah!

If they're NOT in the tank then my wife is going to wonder who I've been staring at in there lol.

Got a better pic of my bi blenny

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/bicolor.jpg

And how's THIS for ghetto? I was sick of filling my ice cream pail every 2 days for topoff so I ran my rodi from the bathroom to above the stairs and ran my topoff pump and stuff through the wall to the same place. Here's the glorious result lol. And yes I HAVE already smacked my head on it.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/topoff.jpg

Delphinus
05-03-2010, 11:41 PM
That's what you get for being so dang tall! Ladeez love ya but the noggin' bumps on ceilings.

Cute lil' blenny BTW.

Question, if you use an ATO pump to deliver the RO/DI anyhow, what's stopping you from just putting the bucket at the bottom of the stairs and running the line up? It might just be a slower fill cycle time, but I bet it could lift the water enough still?

Lance
05-04-2010, 12:15 AM
God I wish I could be there when you knock your head and spill a whole bucket of water down your neck! :mrgreen:

lastlight
05-04-2010, 01:08 AM
Wow Tunze site says max head is 3.6m!

I'd never have guessed that...hence the ghetto mount.

Lance even if I did that I'd have nothing on your gooBlast story :biggrin:

Please note that like Kien I have gone with an espresso stain for the platform to match the other decor (in pieces) at the bottom of the stairs.

kien
05-04-2010, 02:42 AM
It looks like your kids will be set when you leave thm "Home Alone". :lol:

Leah
05-04-2010, 03:19 AM
[QUOTE=lastlight;516161]

If they're NOT in the tank then my wife is going to wonder who I've been staring at in there lol.

:D

I would be probably staring at your Cheato balls....opps, did I really just say that. :redface: :wink: :lol:

kien
05-04-2010, 03:23 AM
[QUOTE=lastlight;516161]I would be probably staring at your Cheato balls..

And so it begins.. You're going to have a tough time deciding between Brett's Chaeto Balls and Doug's Polyp Extension..

Leah
05-04-2010, 03:55 AM
[QUOTE=Leah;516219]

And so it begins.. You're going to have a tough time deciding between Brett's Chaeto Balls and Doug's Polyp Extension..

:biggrin1: :censored:

fishytime
05-04-2010, 04:06 AM
[QUOTE=Leah;516219]

And so it begins.. You're going to have a tough time deciding between Brett's Chaeto Balls and Doug's Polyp Extension..

Hey!.....how did I get roped into this???:noidea:........Ive been a relatively good boy lately:twised:

Looks great Brett........always loved the look of the solanas....gonna move the shelf now to save yourself the brain damage?

JDigital
05-04-2010, 05:06 AM
^^ When were you ever un-tied from it?. :lol:

lastlight
05-04-2010, 05:13 AM
I've never had to balance perverted comments and reef discussion before. I'm not sure how to manage this. Maybe a new username to discuss things seriously and then this username to address Leah's algal fixation and Doug's micro polyps?

And no Doug I think I'll leave the bucket there since I get a good laugh at it being there! That and I don't wanna splice the Tunze black tubing to standard ro/di nor do I want to extend the Tunze power cord. But mostly for laughs =)

lastlight
05-04-2010, 05:52 AM
My first video on youtube. Maybe I'll land myself on Ellen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjYegVcICOI

muck
05-04-2010, 06:01 AM
WTF!!!
Brett you have livestock... NO WAY!!

JDigital
05-05-2010, 01:22 AM
My first video on youtube. Maybe I'll land myself on Ellen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjYegVcICOI

:BIG::onfire::onfire::smilecol::cheer2::drum:

lastlight
05-05-2010, 01:24 AM
that's a...colourful post Josh. You sure your polyp doesn't swing the *other* way?

JDigital
05-05-2010, 01:28 AM
that's a...colourful post Josh. You sure your polyp doesn't swing the *other* way?

I got no polyps anymore.. :(

ALBERTA REEF
05-05-2010, 06:28 AM
I have nothing witty to say. So Tag along.

lastlight
05-05-2010, 06:32 AM
Here's a funny little clip of my new gramma making friends with the hermits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgNWqeFcDsI

Leah
05-05-2010, 12:05 PM
Very neighborly

Lance
05-05-2010, 05:27 PM
Nasty little bugger.

lastlight
05-08-2010, 04:41 AM
Not too much exciting to report. Tank's looking a little greener on the rock, and sand but a whole lot greener on the glass. I can wipe the glass down and by the end of the day I've got a solid green film again. Part of a new tank I suppose but I'm wondering if I should put my new bulb in or something.

Copepods have exploded in numbers and are all over the glass just as fast as the algae again. They're swarming the sand too. I think the amphipods are a lot cooler looking but so far have not seen any.

Both fish have extremely good appetites but aren't out as much as I'd like. Strangely they are more active when my daughter is being a crazy moron and running past the tank. I think I need a few dither fish. Not sure what would be better than chromis for this. Any ideas?

My MJ600 I swapped the stock return pump for just failed to startup after my waterchange today. I was really choked because it's a really tight fit for my arm to swap pumps with my heater and topoff sensors all in that last chamber. Stock return is back in for now but it puts out more than twice the gph (400 ish as oposed to 160) and the few overflow teeth I have mean the water level in the display is less than an inch from the top now. Gotta get the MJ working again me thinks.

Fans continue to work amazingly well. I ran the oven a lot today and had quite a few people here so it was 25.5 in the livingroom. Tank held steady at 79. Oh yeah!

Here's a shot of my emerald (Sally as per my daughter) and Lazy the hermit.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crabs.jpg

The emerald molted the other day and scared me. She somehow molted and left her molt clinging to the underside of a rock. How on earth do they get out of them while maintaining a pose? I thought she had died. It was actually tough to pry the legs of the molt off the rock!

Delphinus
05-08-2010, 05:20 AM
Probably the impeller? I find I have to superglue the little paddle thing to the magnet thing after a while with those, something breaks inside and the magnet just spins freely. Should be an easy fix. Worst case scenario a new impeller maybe.

lastlight
05-08-2010, 05:43 AM
Yeah Ryan gave me a bunch of various old MJs and in getting a MJ600 block/prop combo to work out of the parts I found several that were like that. Spun totally free. So you just get some glue inside the blade part and it bonds to the shaft?

I just tried plugging in the powerhead and of course it works right now. Damn I hate that.

Delphinus
05-08-2010, 04:12 PM
Yeah, just some superglue gel in between the white part and the black part. It's not a forever solution but seems to last a good 6 months before you need to do it again.

fishoholic
05-08-2010, 04:25 PM
Set up looks great. I love the look of cubes and your light fixture makes it look unique and modern. Makes me want one.

ner'T'
05-08-2010, 10:02 PM
Wow, great looking tank, very clean.

I have the same stand and a regular 37 gallon column tank. I found the clear glass looked a little plain/revealed the junk on the shelf too much... I sand blasted the glass to make it etched or frosted. I like the way it looks now.

Good work and I might have to get that fan too, to cool my 250 MH!

Cheers!

lastlight
05-09-2010, 03:10 AM
Thanks guys!

Yes I plan to either spray the glass with the frosting, apply that frosting sheet stuff or paint the glass some colour but not sure which. The pane is held in place by those terribly flimsy clips as you know. My son is always leaning on it and some have broken and the pane is very loose. Have you done anything to secure it better? Really I wish it was a wood panel like the sides...

freezetyle
05-09-2010, 03:11 AM
He was actually referring to your back side Josh.. I dunno, maybe he found some racy pictures of you or something ? Or maybe you guys are up to something ? Joshy got back? .. :noidea:



Jesus. i leave the site for a week and a half and the one time i get a joke made on me i can't even fight back!... unfair!

Moving on.

Tank is looking good. did you order the tunze collection cup from in-tank? how are you finding the skimmate production?

lastlight
05-09-2010, 03:12 AM
Photo dump!

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro2.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro3.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro4.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro5.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro6.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro7.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro8.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro9.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro10.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro11.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro12.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro13.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro14.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro15.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro16.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro17.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro18.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro19.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro20.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro21.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro22.jpg

fishoholic
05-09-2010, 04:32 AM
great pic.'s :biggrin:

lastlight
05-09-2010, 06:03 AM
did you order the tunze collection cup from in-tank? how are you finding the skimmate production?

Yes I have the collection cup on there. Here's a pic from page one of the thread.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/steviet2.jpg

The skimmate has been really wet...just a light tea colour so far although I'm starting to get some darker brown collecting on the riser tube. The trouble so far is that it's breaking in still I think and now my return pump wouldn't startup after my waterchange. This meant using the stock pump again so the water level changed due to the increased flow which upset the darn thing.

I'm not expecting dark skimmate and from what I've read I'm not going to get that from this skimmer. All I know is that I'll be glad it takes anything at all out. Even when it's light in colour I always think about how I wouldn't want to dump it back in the tank. With time it should pull better as I tune it more.

My 5 gallon water changes every week do far more than any skimmer could but I like the added security.

Leah
05-09-2010, 12:46 PM
Fantastic photos Brett! :attention: But next time can you give the Emerald a chance to shave her legs first.

ner'T'
05-09-2010, 02:26 PM
Yes, those clips to hold the pane in are junk.

I ran a 1" long bead of silicone, (top bottom & sides), on the inside to secure it. If I ever need to remove it, it I will only have to slice the little blobs of silicone

Cheers

lastlight
05-09-2010, 03:04 PM
Fantastic photos Brett! :attention: But next time can you give the Emerald a chance to shave her legs first.

Haha thanks. Yeah she's a bit of a dirty girl. The hermits are into it so I don't expect her to shave those things.

When I got her she had these super tiny little....bugs...mites? They would circle around her body and claws at damn near the speed of light it was crazy. I've done some reading and others have noticed these as well. They are either all red or all white. Not redbugs no doubt about that. Anyways post molt...they are all gone. Weird.

I ran a 1" long bead of silicone, (top bottom & sides), on the inside to secure it. If I ever need to remove it, it I will only have to slice the little blobs of silicone

Hey great idea. So the hold is strong? You don't mean a continuous bead but just one up top...one down below? I need my fix to hold against my son leaning on it.

ner'T'
05-09-2010, 04:42 PM
"Hey great idea. So the hold is strong? You don't mean a continuous bead but just one up top...one down below? I need my fix to hold against my son leaning on it."

Well its plenty strong to hold glass in, (non-continuous bead). It might be better it if let go,(broke free from door), rather then your son putting his arm through it when it stays in place and breaks. It is thin un-tempered glass and could really cause some bad cuts.

lastlight
05-09-2010, 04:58 PM
That's a good point. So it's not even tempered? That seems kinda silly to me. I'm tempted to get a thin piece of plywood veneer and replace it. I know I couldn't personally match the stain so I'd make it a totally different color.

andestang
05-09-2010, 06:14 PM
Some great pics Brett ! Gotta love the bi-color blenny, I don't think in all the time I've done salt water have I gone very long without having one.

lastlight
05-10-2010, 06:21 AM
Just some more pics of the same old stuff. Boring huh?!

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro23.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro24.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/macro25.jpg

lobsterboy
05-10-2010, 06:30 AM
you should put a top hat on the blenny, like that cleaner shrimp in POTM.

now thats not boring :razz:

Lance
05-10-2010, 06:39 AM
Lance even if I did that I'd have nothing on your gooBlast story :biggrin:


Ahah! I blew out the return line today as a matter of fact and I'll have you know there were "NO" incidents! :lol: Operation went smooth as silk.

lastlight
05-10-2010, 06:48 AM
you should put a top hat on the blenny, like that cleaner shrimp in POTM.

now thats not boring :razz:

Don't say I never come through with the goods. This is a Kien tribute.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/colander.jpg

Ahah! I blew out the return line today as a matter of fact and I'll have you know there were "NO" incidents! :lol: Operation went smooth as silk.

So is it true what they say? IS IT all in the wrist?! :mrgreen:

lobsterboy
05-10-2010, 06:56 AM
[QUOTE=lastlight;517845]Don't say I never come through with the goods. This is a Kien tribute.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/colander.jpg

OMG, LOL.

kien
05-10-2010, 06:56 AM
That blenny looks like he is ready for the arrival.. You should all be so proactive..

It is nice to see you throwing up photos of something other than Your hardware and chaeto balls. Looks good. :)

lobsterboy
05-10-2010, 06:58 AM
It is nice to see you throwing up photos of something other than Your hardware and chaeto balls.

you guys are killin me. :lol:

Stones
05-11-2010, 04:47 AM
I like how your new setup maintained a very modern look seeing as your old tank also had that modern vibe to it as well. Instead of swapping a plywood veneer for the glass pane, you should see if you can find some nice tile to inlay in the space. There are tons of stone mosiacs or small individual tiles that would closely match the stand. Great macro shots btw!

lastlight
05-11-2010, 04:55 AM
Thanks =)

Actually I still have 8 tiles I think from my last build...

Lol...be a nice way to tie the two together good idea!

Lance
05-11-2010, 05:09 AM
Oh, I agree with the tiles. It would look great with your set-up Brett, and as you say keep a little of the old build alive.

lorenz0
05-11-2010, 06:38 AM
love the fish dude.

lastlight
05-12-2010, 03:49 AM
It's pretty rare to get more for less but I'm in a pretty good mood right now!

I had a tiny bit of cyano in a spot in the front of the tank so tonight I took a deep breath and did the 6025 basic mod. WOW!!! The extra flow is unreal and I'm seeing detritus flying out of all sorts of nooks and crannies. The mod is old news but I thought I'd bring it up in case any 6025 users want 1100 gph instead of 700 gph.

I don't think I'll do any of the other mods for wider flow etc due to the prop reverse issues and the work needed to correct them for those mods. This is great and took me literally 3 min with a coping saw blade.

Search RC for "6025 mod" if you want to see how it's done I forgot to take pics.

lastlight
05-13-2010, 04:30 AM
It's too early to add corals I'm guessing. And yet John (Lobsterboy) was clearing his tank out and asked if I wanted some complimentary 'test frags'. Well I said yes so we'll see how it goes. Thanks again John it was really nice to meet you, see your amazing tank and talk reefs. You're too damn kind bro =)

Terrible pics...not sure why but here they are. John if you have a moment and because I'm too retarded to remember what you told me today...can you please ID these for me?

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/corals1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/corals2.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/corals3.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/corals4.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/corals5.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/corals6.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/corals7.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/corals8.jpg

fishoholic
05-13-2010, 04:38 AM
YAY frags :biggrin:

Lance
05-13-2010, 11:34 PM
Nice score! Grow frags grow!

lobsterboy
05-14-2010, 03:01 AM
Looking good there baby.

here are the names for the pics in order.

Bali Blue tip
Orange tree formosa
Purple polyp birdnest
blue stag
Oxypora, this is what I had thought it was. So if I am wrong correct me.
M. Confusa
Purple formosa
Lastlight's 34g solana- FTS

kien
05-14-2010, 03:52 AM
OMG you have saltwater, fish and corals all in one tank at the same time.. There is a great disturbance in the force..

Looking good though :-)

Dez
05-14-2010, 04:54 AM
Looking good there baby.

here are the names for the pics in order.

Bali Blue tip
Orange tree formosa
Purple polyp birdnest
blue stag
Oxypora, this is what I had thought it was. So if I am wrong correct me.
M. Confusa
Purple formosa
Lastlight's 34g solana- FTS

I like that you labelled the last picture :biggrin:

lastlight
05-14-2010, 07:02 AM
Thanks for the IDs John that's awesome. Especially the FTS as I totally draw a blank when sitting in front of this thing.

Polyp extension was good again today. Kevin at RC hooked me up with a new ballast today (thanks!) in the hopes of getting my Radium to fire. It works great and the Radium is way brighter than the stock bulb and corals look even better now.

lobsterboy
05-14-2010, 07:13 AM
Awesome, radiums are dope, I was talkin radiums today.

ummmm, yeah labled the last pic just in case :yo:

JDigital
05-15-2010, 01:32 AM
Sweet SPS framentations... :mrgreen: Now GROW!!!

shrimpchips
05-15-2010, 02:45 AM
Oxypora, this is what I had thought it was. So if I am wrong correct me.


I think that one is an echinopora.

lastlight
05-15-2010, 03:48 AM
Can someone tell me if it's normal to see some tissue recession where the 2-part epoxy contacted the frag? It's maybe 1-2mm on them from the bottom. Two of them show this today but have good polyp extension and have their colors...

Lance
05-15-2010, 03:52 AM
Can someone tell me if it's normal to see some tissue recession where the 2-part epoxy contacted the frag? It's maybe 1-2mm on them from the bottom. Two of them show this today but have good polyp extension and have their colors...

Quite common Brett. Probably ok, but if you see the tissue recess anymore cut the frag off above the bad part and refrag it.

lastlight
05-15-2010, 04:02 AM
When i mounted all of these I mashed the ball of epoxy into a hole/crevasse and then stuck the frags into them and sort of wrapped the epoxy around the frag's base. Is this not the best way?

Delphinus
05-15-2010, 04:06 AM
Sounds OK to me. Not uncommon though, that's why I like to use superglue gel and a plug and then epoxy the plug into a spot. But in good conditions it should grow back over the base before long.

lastlight
05-15-2010, 04:41 AM
These were all on plugs and I guess I wanted a cleaner look so I cut them off and re-mounted them to my rocks. But being new to this I used so much epoxy that it's pretty ugly and maybe too much touched the tissue?

kien
05-15-2010, 05:39 AM
Everytime that I have ever jammed a frag into some epoxy the frag has managed to grow over the epoxy and onto the rock work. I think you'll be fine :)

Lance
05-15-2010, 06:06 PM
These were all on plugs and I guess I wanted a cleaner look so I cut them off and re-mounted them to my rocks. But being new to this I used so much epoxy that it's pretty ugly and maybe too much touched the tissue?


Next time try leaving the frag on the plug and nipping off most of the plug with some tile cutters. Then you can epoxy the little bit of plug to the rock. Looks much nicer.

lastlight
05-16-2010, 12:05 AM
Good advice Lance. Or Lance's wife. Sheesh I don't know anymore!

I was doing that then got aggressive with the cutters.

So one piece did RTN on me. I think it's RTN not STN. Took half a day what is the timeframe for RTN?

Others are all holding steady with good polyp extension. All 3 M. Confusa look great and the others had a tiny bit of recession but no change today. Fingers are crossed.

Funky_Fish14
05-22-2010, 07:03 AM
Hey Brett, it looks great! I thought i had posted in here before but I guess not lol.

I love the clean look you have with all your builds! Awesome job! Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,

Chris

(And as said a million times... congrats on livestock finally in the tank!)

lastlight
05-23-2010, 03:48 AM
I thought i had posted in here before but I guess not lol.

You must have sensed my animosity regarding that. I do appreciate though Chris don't get me wrong man. Thanks for the kind words but someone else made this one look nice I just filled it!

lastlight
05-23-2010, 03:56 AM
Here's something I spotted today at RC. It had just a hint of blue with big polyps so I snapped it up. Personally I love how it looks in the tank as there are now nice purple/blues on the base. The picture does not accurately show how bright the colored bits are (for now!).

Can anyone tell me what this is?

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/frag1.jpg

Also got a frag of the fire and ice zoas. Will take a pic when more of them are open.

Funky_Fish14
05-23-2010, 04:30 AM
Lol, funny guy :P

Ah, dont push away the credit. You always do a really clean and organized job man! Its admirable!

Your picture taking skills are freaking awesome man! Even just of equipment shots, like when you had the 225 empty... Stunning shots! And all your macros... Im jealous! Haha. What kind of camera are you using to go with your mad skillz? (I bet you've already said that and I suck at reading)

fishytime
05-23-2010, 05:02 AM
well that was a bit of a sleeper frag wasnt it?.....looks great under that bulb mang!:biggrin:

lastlight
05-23-2010, 05:05 AM
What kind of camera are you using to go with your mad skillz?

It's a Nikon D80. For the previous closeups I was borrowing the 105mm macro but it's far too spendy for me. Tonight for this pic I thought I'd just use the cheap and incredibly fast/sharp 50mm 1.8 and just crop. I was shocked when it came out fairly decent. No more begging the father-inlaw woot!

well that was a bit of a sleeper frag wasnt it?.....looks great under that bulb mang!:biggrin:

Yeah me so stoked. I'm sitting in front of it waiting for it to grow!

Lance
05-23-2010, 05:13 AM
Yeah me so stoked. I'm sitting in front of it waiting for it to grow!


Nice score! Wild colours on that frag.
Go steal some water from Dez's tank and sprinkle your frag with it. :biggrin:

lastlight
05-23-2010, 05:19 AM
Nice score! Wild colours on that frag.
Go steal some water from Dez's tank and sprinkle your frag with it. :biggrin:

Haha I wish I could trust me!

To pay tribute to the growth OVERLORD I'm posting a growth sequence of my new diamond in the rough. Please enjoy responsibly.

May 22, 2010 - 30 min ago

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/frag1.jpg

May 22, 2010 - Right now!

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/frag1.jpg

Dez
05-23-2010, 05:22 AM
I think I see a bit more polyp extension in the 2nd pic :biggrin: Nice work! Thanks for the tribute :redface:

Funky_Fish14
05-23-2010, 05:58 AM
Ahh the D80. Seems like a pretty common cam for cool fish tank pics! Thx!

lorenz0
05-23-2010, 04:57 PM
watching sps grow. awesome, now just pull up a chair and sit there for 2 hours.

sps looks great

JDigital
05-23-2010, 07:21 PM
Can anyone tell me what this is?

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/frag1.jpg.


I believe that is called Acropora Super Awesomeness :mrgreen:

christyf5
05-23-2010, 07:49 PM
I believe that is called Acropora Super Awesomeness :mrgreen:

+1 on that. I think I have a little tiny version of that, I dunno what its called either but I hope mine does indeed grow up to look like that :mrgreen:

lastlight
05-26-2010, 06:59 AM
My diatom issue in a matter of days has 100% gone away. My sand is nice and white again! Quiet night on canreef so I thought I'd really let loose and share that.

muck
05-26-2010, 07:32 AM
Need a new growth sequence shot...

lastlight
05-26-2010, 07:34 AM
Need a new growth sequence shot...

Of what?

muck
05-26-2010, 07:47 AM
:doh:

fishytime
05-26-2010, 02:16 PM
:doh:

:lol:

what no mention of "Buttercup"????.....or did she chew off your typing finger?

Parker
05-26-2010, 05:23 PM
:lol:

what no mention of "Buttercup"????.....or did she chew off your typing finger?


I picked the wrong time to walk back into this thread!

lastlight
05-26-2010, 05:39 PM
:lol:

what no mention of "Buttercup"????.....or did she chew off your typing finger?

I'll have pics of Buttercup soon. We hadn't named her yet but that may pass the kid's approval dunno. Had the lights off quite a bit yesterday in case my new frag was bleaching a bit so couldn't snap a pic.

lastlight
05-29-2010, 05:37 AM
Here's the fire and ice zoas from Red Coral. Thanks guys.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/fire_ice.jpg

Here's some 'frags'. The nest was a touch larger than your normal frag. Thanks Kien!

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/kien1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/kien2.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/kien3.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/kien4.jpg

reefcanada
05-29-2010, 06:06 AM
The tank is looking very nice. Jay

Dez
05-29-2010, 06:14 AM
Is the last picture porites or digi? It's kinda neat.

lastlight
05-29-2010, 06:26 AM
Blue digi according to Kien.

I think the left facing side got more light in Kien's tank. The side that sorta looks reddish in lower light...will get more blue.

lastlight
06-01-2010, 04:33 AM
Thought I'd post a new fts for fun. Tank's running well. Rocks still look a little green but it's the slightest of films. The crabs and snails are doing a great job. The emerald continues to be my workhorse. She's molted a second time and is massive. Twice the size I got her easily. As for the corals every last one of them (besides the newest from Kien) are encrusting to the point that I can see progress on a daily basis.

My main three are still stable:

Ca - 470
Kh - 8
Mg - 1350

Not the clearest shot but it'll do.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/fts1.jpg

Dez
06-01-2010, 04:43 AM
Nice Brett, I sense an upgrade already based on me being able to visualize the future of those frags :biggrin:

lastlight
06-01-2010, 04:45 AM
Thanks! Already being planned and I know you're not surprised =) I'm currently in the 'lay awake at night and ponder the possibilities' phase. That phase drives me insane because I never have any extra money during it.

This tank will be a nem/clown tank when that time comes. The big one is grounded to the basement. My main floors are in terrible shape.

Dez
06-01-2010, 05:29 AM
I was in the no$ stage during the whole build and of course the whole build cost way more than expected. I forgot how much corals and livestock costs. But my wife just did the "eye roll" and "let" me "invest" knowing that when the tank is filled, I wasn't allowed to upgrade..... At least you're allowed an upgrade :)

lastlight
06-01-2010, 05:36 AM
Hey I'm rolling in a 34g lol. I've been to the dark side and it's ALWAYS calling to me.

Funky_Fish14
06-01-2010, 08:32 AM
Hey Brett.... Glad to see you've made use of that pail I forgot down there! Haha.

Do you manually add water to the pail or does it ATO itself or you have a line to feed it to fill?

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/topoff.jpg



Cheers man!

lastlight
06-01-2010, 08:43 AM
lmao. i KNEW that pail wasn't one of mine. Mystery solved (and thanks for the freebie!).

The red ro/di line going into the bucket (with a fancy sch80 1.5" coupler tie wrapped to it for weight) goes up thru the floor into the bathroom. My ro/di is under the bathroom sink. I just manually fill the pail once a week. Pretty low tech!

Dez
06-01-2010, 01:22 PM
:shocked:



http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/topoff.jpg

christyf5
06-01-2010, 02:59 PM
yikes! has anyone taken out an eye on that thing yet? :razz:

lostlight
06-01-2010, 03:07 PM
Im liking the blue digi.
Tank is looking good donkey. :razz:

Leah
06-01-2010, 03:24 PM
Im liking the blue digi.
Tank is looking good donkey. :razz:

:wink: Brett have you ever seen this lostlight under your tank?

andestang
06-01-2010, 03:50 PM
Ha ha, sounds familiar. Between money and making a final decision on something or I guess settling with something. Not sure of the term "investment". Looks really good Brett ! Who is this lostlight :suspicious: ? :)

Thanks! Already being planned and I know you're not surprised =) I'm currently in the 'lay awake at night and ponder the possibilities' phase. That phase drives me insane because I never have any extra money during it.

lastlight
06-01-2010, 04:36 PM
yikes! has anyone taken out an eye on that thing yet? :razz:

I've run into the bottom of the shelf probably 10 times. I think it's finally sunk in and I haven't done it in a few trips. One of the first times the impact loosened a screw holding the bracket to the shelf. The next time I hit it it drove the screw into my shoulder and I got torn up pretty bad!

I was STILL too lazy to move it between the studs or onto the other side. I think it looks hilarious and I like a little ghetto in my builds =)

fishytime
06-01-2010, 04:39 PM
I've run into the bottom of the shelf probably 10 times. I think it's finally sunk in and I haven't done it in a few trips. One of the first times the impact loosened a screw holding the bracket to the shelf. The next time I hit it it drove the screw into my shoulder and I got torn up pretty bad!

I was STILL too lazy to move it between the studs or onto the other side. I think it looks hilarious and I like a little ghetto in my builds =)

you really are a glutton for punishment huh?....I didnt see "Buttercup" in that FTS???

lastlight
06-01-2010, 04:47 PM
:wink: Brett have you ever seen this lostlight under your tank?

This one's bizarre. Joined canreef a few days before me in 2006. But from the looks of REAL posts back then lived in B.C. Got me...and yes I DID take a quick peek under my tank and we're in the clear!

lastlight
06-01-2010, 04:48 PM
you really are a glutton for punishment huh?....I didnt see "Buttercup" in that FTS???

She doesn't like to pose all pretty for pics. She likes the shady areas when the camera comes out but is otherwise ALWAYS out. What a brat. Oh and so far 1 waterchange and one frag mounting party and no attacks =)

Funky_Fish14
06-01-2010, 05:46 PM
lmao. i KNEW that pail wasn't one of mine. Mystery solved (and thanks for the freebie!).

The red ro/di line going into the bucket (with a fancy sch80 1.5" coupler tie wrapped to it for weight) goes up thru the floor into the bathroom. My ro/di is under the bathroom sink. I just manually fill the pail once a week. Pretty low tech!

Haha, your welcome dude.

Those kent pails are pretty sweet, I love that they hold like 7 gallons (thats one of the super tall ones, my other kent pail is an inch shorter).

Haha plumbing seems to be a common use item for weighing stuff down.

lastlight
06-01-2010, 05:49 PM
plumbing seems to be a common use item for weighing stuff down.

My chaetoBalls were preoccupied at the time.

Funky_Fish14
06-01-2010, 06:45 PM
Lmao!

fishoholic
06-01-2010, 08:21 PM
Ok I've heard the name "buttercup" on this thread before but I can't figure out who buttercup is?????

lastlight
06-01-2010, 08:26 PM
Buttercup is a big female fire clown who used to terrorize Doug at the store until I 'saved' her.

http://www.aledofd.com/wp-content/gallery/fireclownz/fire-clown2.jpg

I got her because I loved my old tomato and to calm the damn blenny down a bit. It's worked out pretty well the blenny is on my sps a lot less now.

fishytime
06-01-2010, 09:49 PM
Buttercup is a big female fire clown who used to terrorize Doug at the store until I 'saved' her.

she terrorized more than just me!......no one liked going in that tank .....for anything!:twised:......thanks Brett for saving all our arms!:biggrin:

lastlight
06-01-2010, 09:51 PM
she terrorized more than just me!......no one liked going in that tank .....for anything!:twised:......thanks Brett for saving all our arms!:biggrin:

Maybe she's scared of my hairy palms I dunno.

fishytime
06-01-2010, 09:56 PM
Maybe she's scared of my hairy palms I dunno.

probably a combination of the hairy palms and the chaetoballs:surprise:

Lance
06-01-2010, 09:59 PM
Maybe she's scared of my hairy palms I dunno.


How's the vision Brett? Not going blind yet?

Parker
06-01-2010, 10:09 PM
How's the vision Brett? Not going blind yet?

Lance, he can see just fine:

http://www.aitcheye.com/people/index_images/thick_glasses_15.jpg

lastlight
06-02-2010, 06:04 AM
Lol my thread is looking kinda scary right now.

Was just doodling tonight but hey...maybe someday right?

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/dreaming1.jpg

Funky_Fish14
06-02-2010, 06:09 AM
Lookin good Brett! ... Err... the drawing... is looking good!

Funny how 'doodling' used to mean scribbling on a piece of paper... Lol.

andestang
06-02-2010, 04:00 PM
Looks good Brett. The snowball effect is now in motion. Interesting concept on keeping the lights down really low, at least they would be in the way for feeding , maintenance and such ;).

fishoholic
06-02-2010, 05:52 PM
Buttercup is a big female fire clown who used to terrorize Doug at the store until I 'saved' her.

http://www.aledofd.com/wp-content/gallery/fireclownz/fire-clown2.jpg

I got her because I loved my old tomato and to calm the damn blenny down a bit. It's worked out pretty well the blenny is on my sps a lot less now.

LMAO! At least now I know.

probably a combination of the hairy palms and the chaetoballs:surprise:

:pound:

lostlight
06-03-2010, 07:06 PM
Maybe she's scared of my hairy palms I dunno.
I would be too.

http://cdn-www.answerbag.com/images/answers/525144/1939337/hairy.jpg

fishoholic
06-03-2010, 07:11 PM
I would be too.

http://cdn-www.answerbag.com/images/answers/525144/1939337/hairy.jpg

LMAO!!!!!!! (and now I get the whole lostlight comments) :lol:

lastlight
06-03-2010, 07:28 PM
Ok spill the beans. Who are you and where did you get that picture?

lastlight
06-04-2010, 04:30 AM
Well Buttercup is in her new home now. I caught her in 2 minutes even with the cramped space and tight areas in there. All I did was grab 3 plastic bags, rinse them off and then bunch them up in the various escape crevasses and holes she could potentially use. She really had nowhere to go at that point but in my net!

Tank's looking clearer again AND the two new frags I got in return are mounted and lookin' sexay.

muck
06-04-2010, 04:38 AM
Pitchurs?!?!

lastlight
06-04-2010, 04:41 AM
Friggin' lights go off at 10. I was thinking about it and BAM. Darkness.

Tomorrow I'll snap a few so I have a record of what the tank looked like before I stole a pile of coloured sticks from the Edmonton pool =)

fishoholic
06-04-2010, 05:07 AM
before I stole a pile of coloured sticks from the Edmonton pool =)

What there's a pool full of frags in this city???!!!! :lol: or do you mean Dez's house?

lastlight
06-04-2010, 05:14 AM
Yes I do =)

Dez
06-04-2010, 05:49 AM
Did I just hear my name?

lastlight
06-04-2010, 05:51 AM
Speaking of which what's the deal with calling yourself DEZ?

Aren't you a (DES) Desmond? You playing the mysterious card or something?

Oh and how was circus night?

lostlight
06-04-2010, 06:24 AM
Friggin' lights go off at 10. I was thinking about it and BAM. Darkness.

Any chance you can install a nitelite inside your stand. Its friggin' dark in here bro. :mrgreen:

Funky_Fish14
06-04-2010, 06:43 AM
Hey lostlight... doesnt your lap-top light the stand up nice inside there?

Des
06-04-2010, 03:16 PM
Speaking of which what's the deal with calling yourself DEZ?

Aren't you a (DES) Desmond? You playing the mysterious card or something?

Oh and how was circus night?

I think it's because that user name was taken already, that's why he had to use Dez.

Lance
06-04-2010, 04:42 PM
I wish I had someone living under my fishtanks. Maybe I could talk him/her into doing my water changes.

Leah
06-04-2010, 04:47 PM
I wish I had someone living under my fishtanks. Maybe I could talk him/her into doing my water changes.

And while you are bending over the tank...Uh, oh! never mind. :wink:

Lance
06-04-2010, 04:51 PM
And while you are bending over the tank...Uh, oh! never mind. :wink:


Leah, Leah, Leah.... (shaking head)......
Whatever are we going to do with you? :lol:

Leah
06-04-2010, 05:00 PM
:twised: Wasn't me. :redface:

lastlight
06-04-2010, 05:49 PM
We are going to evict lost light and toss her in there :razz:

Parker
06-04-2010, 06:11 PM
Things are getting a liiiiiiiiiiiittle weird around these parts. Must be something in the water, or you're all drinking skimate!

fishoholic
06-04-2010, 06:31 PM
I wish I had someone living under my fishtanks. Maybe I could talk him/her into doing my water changes.

Excellent idea, I want someone who will do water changes for me :biggrin:

muck
06-04-2010, 07:32 PM
Excellent idea, I want someone who will do water changes for me :biggrin:

You do Laurie... his name is STEVE. :lol:

fishoholic
06-04-2010, 08:29 PM
You do Laurie... his name is STEVE. :lol:

HA! You mean I used to, Steve wants nothing to do with the tanks now. The water changes are all up to me now :neutral: Thankfully the water changes are all plumbed into the floor drain and are fairly automated and easy to do.

lastlight
06-04-2010, 08:46 PM
AND I CARE!

Get the frag outta here guys! :lol:

muck
06-04-2010, 08:59 PM
AND I CARE!

Get the frag outta here guys! :lol:

Suck it up Princess... :cheer2:

fishoholic
06-04-2010, 09:06 PM
Suck it up Princess... :cheer2:

I second that :razz:

Come on Brett we have to entertain ourselves somehow while we're waiting for "Pitchurs" :lol:

lobsterboy
06-04-2010, 09:09 PM
greatest thread ever. LOL. should be a sticky.

and not that kind of sticky. :lol:

fishoholic
06-04-2010, 09:15 PM
greatest thread ever. LOL. should be a sticky.

and not that kind of sticky. :lol:

See Brett I helped to make your thread great and sticky! :lol:

lastlight
06-04-2010, 09:31 PM
Who am I kidding I'd miss these pornoDerails. PROCEED!

fishoholic
06-04-2010, 11:53 PM
Who am I kidding I'd miss these pornoDerails. PROCEED!

:lol:

muck
06-07-2010, 05:46 PM
Wheres the pitchurs of the new E-Town frags Brett?

lastlight
06-11-2010, 09:02 AM
It's with great shame that I post these next pictures. I just can't take even a DECENT photo anymore. Maybe I gotta turn the lights on in the room too but I haven't been able to shoot corals worth a dang. Washed out blurry...you've been warned! It's too bad because the tank is looking killer right now in person. Colors are all really nice and bright to the eye. Not sure if it's things becoming more stable, my freshly started daily dosing or the NP pellets (I don't think these have been tumbling long enough to work?)

Oh and I have three corals that all look super similar. One is a superman digi and the other 2 were on the same mount and called orange digi. The superman has nice purple base (lost in the photo of course) and so does one of the 'orange digis' off the other plug. So I'm confused there...the polyps all glow a super bright pink in the tank.

Superman (base is quite purple but photo shows nothing):
http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot16.jpg

Orange digis? First looks so close to the superman (maybe not in my photos)
http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot21.jpg


And the rest:

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot2.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot3.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot4.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot5.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot6.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot7.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot8.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot9.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot10.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot11.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot12.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot13.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot14.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot15.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot17.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot18.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot19.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot20.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot22.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/crappyshot23.jpg

lastlight
06-11-2010, 09:09 AM
And here's an equally lame video taken with a crappy point and shoot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvuhp3AgSFw

I can't zoom in or out with the thing because it won't re-focus when you do!

What I *DO* like about the video is that it shows the colours a bit truer (brighter) to real life but the issue is nothing is large enough or close enough for you to see it lol!

fishytime
06-11-2010, 02:09 PM
Excellent idea, I want someone who will do water changes for me :biggrin:

I need a place to live Laurie:wink::twised:....would give me that oportunity to leave nose prints on your wee box


Who am I kidding I'd miss these pornoDerails. PROCEED!

the "smutty" thread title has just been passed to you Brett:mrgreen:


Pics look decent enough to me brochacho!.....looks like your just about stuffed already:razz:

Sunee
06-11-2010, 02:41 PM
And here's an equally lame video taken with a crappy point and shoot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvuhp3AgSFw

I can't zoom in or out with the thing because it won't re-focus when you do!

What I *DO* like about the video is that it shows the colours a bit truer (brighter) to real life but the issue is nothing is large enough or close enough for you to see it lol!
Loved the video. I really like the look of your tank!!!

Delphinus
06-11-2010, 04:33 PM
Yeah I'm not sure you can really complain about those photos. Better than anything I could do with a camera!

I like how the frags mess with your sense of scale and perspective. That one pic from the side with the frag slope gives the tank a larger look to it.

Very nice.

lastlight
06-11-2010, 04:43 PM
Thanks guys. It's early to be saying this but I'm now just going to sit back and watch her grow. I'd maybe add one or two fish if I came across the right ones...and maybe a few LPS later on...oh and a gorg or two and...

I'm done for SPS.

Well ok I would like a puprle monti cap and...

DAMMIT!

But seriously...I SWEAR keeping your hands/arms COMPLETELY out of the tank is so key. I have made an effort to keep them out 100% since mounting Des' stuff and I really do think half the recent improvements are a result of that.

And Doug I think her wee box is spoken for. Sorry bra.

Delphinus
06-11-2010, 05:14 PM
Tee hee. You said "bra".

lastlight
06-11-2010, 05:25 PM
Oh you can see the ghetto looking tie-wrapped-to-tunze MJ1200 in there as well. I said screw form I want function. The corals LOVE the extra flow. I had two strapped up there but it was too much too soon.

Teehee!

fishoholic
06-11-2010, 11:42 PM
I need a place to live Laurie:wink::twised:....would give me that oportunity to leave nose prints on your wee box



:lol: Are we still on that! Anyway, if you're ever in Edmonton pm me and your welcome to come and visit and look at my TANKS.



And Doug I think her wee box is spoken for. Sorry bra.

OMG! :eek: :surprise:








Ahhh...who am I kidding that is hilarious! :lol:

BTW Brett I like the pic.'s, your tank is looking good :biggrin:

trinac
06-12-2010, 02:40 AM
Cool frags!! Thats about what my tank looks like right now too, some lovely pegs. :lol: Whatever, in like a month to five years we'll be competing for TOTM lol

ALBERTA REEF
06-12-2010, 04:06 AM
This was such a clean thread. Now it when R rated. :lol:

lastlight
06-12-2010, 11:10 PM
Got a couple shots today that turned out quite a bit better. Colours are a crapshoot across different monitors etc but to my eyes on my screen...these are very close!

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/sticks1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/sticks2.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/sticks3.jpg

Lance
06-12-2010, 11:54 PM
Little sucker's lookin' damn good!

Leah
06-13-2010, 12:38 AM
This was such a clean thread. Now it when R rated. :lol:

If it wasn't R-rated would you really wanna look?? :lol:

Wow! Brett,
:mrgreen: All kidding aside, tank looks greattt. MMMMmmmmm toasty! :razz:

Leah
06-13-2010, 12:40 AM
Little sucker's lookin' damn good!

Lance,

BIGGER isn't necessarily better...its what you do with it. :razz: :redface:

Skimmerking
06-13-2010, 03:23 AM
Lance,

BIGGER isn't necessarily better...its what you do with it. :razz: :redface:


Ya Ya Ya Leah shame on you for saying bigger isn't always better, look at you with your 120 going from a small to a large:biggrin:

Skimmerking
06-13-2010, 03:24 AM
Brett the little 34 gal is looking sweet man.. hows mom doing lately hope all is well

lastlight
06-13-2010, 06:09 AM
Thanks guys.

Mike she's 100+ days post stem-cell-transplant. She's lifted the kids a few times and tomorrow we're going to the zoo for the first time in ages. She's doing very well and the last bone marrow biopsy confirmed she's still in remission.

kien
06-13-2010, 06:10 AM
Thanks guys.

Mike she's 100+ days post stem-cell-transplant. She's lifted the kids a few times and tomorrow we're going to the zoo for the first time in ages. She's doing very well and the last bone marrow biopsy confirmed she's still in remission.

That's awesome to hear :-)

We'll be at the zoo tomorrow too, maybe catch you guys there.

lastlight
06-13-2010, 06:13 AM
That's awesome to hear :-)

We'll be at the zoo tomorrow too, maybe catch you guys there.

We'll be walking slow man. I'm sure you can catch us =) We'll be sporting one of those rental wheelchairs I think so should be easy to spot. Be there around 11am I hope.

Mother-in-law is in tow...I may or may not be in a good mood:twised:

fishoholic
06-13-2010, 01:46 PM
Thanks guys.

Mike she's 100+ days post stem-cell-transplant. She's lifted the kids a few times and tomorrow we're going to the zoo for the first time in ages. She's doing very well and the last bone marrow biopsy confirmed she's still in remission.

So good to hear that :biggrin: Oh and good luck with the Mother-in-law :lol:

Delphinus
06-13-2010, 03:07 PM
Go check out the dinosaurs if you haven't already.. :)

fishytime
06-13-2010, 03:10 PM
Go check out the dinosaurs if you haven't already.. :)

you talkin bout the zoo or the Inlaw?:razz:

Lance
06-13-2010, 04:51 PM
Good to hear Brett. :biggrin:

Delphinus
06-13-2010, 04:59 PM
you talkin bout the zoo or the Inlaw?:razz:

I'll leave that for others to debate/decide :p !!!

Leah
06-13-2010, 08:24 PM
:biggrin: Glad to hear she is doing well.

:twised: Hope the visit goes good. And hopefully it is for a short time and not a long time. :razz: And that she doesn't read any of this trash. :wink: Not that you started any of it...NO WAY! It's those awful thread crashers that lurk around here.

Hope the day at the Zoo went better then expected and if not... you could accidentally leave her with the gorilla's. He he! :redface:

lastlight
06-13-2010, 09:17 PM
garantee they'd accept her!

Fighting with my daughter to go potty in a nasty stall as I type this. JOY.

kien
06-13-2010, 09:22 PM
go potty at the conservatory. They're nice and new. Jaeden will only go potty there.

lobsterboy
07-21-2010, 07:27 AM
Tank is looking great there Brett. Colors are coming really nicely.

How has the growth been ?

lastlight
07-21-2010, 07:36 AM
Thanks man.

My fastest growers are the supposed oxypora and m. confusa from you and the blue digi from Kien. I'm not going to post pics until the growth is a bit more obvious and I sort out this maiden's head algae or whatever it is. Getting quite long so easy to yank with my fingers maybe but I hate putting my hands in the tank. I haven't done so since I got the frags from Dez.

Two corals I'm having trouble with are the salty nuts acro from Dez and the green/orange formosa from you(top left) and the other blue digi bottom right.

The two top left I think may be a bit unhappy because I was dosing into that corner and maybe some higher concentration stuff was hitting them? Might be a stretch but now I'm dosing into my overflow so we'll see. The blue digi isn't getting enough light I think and is very slowly receding from the base yet the top is growing?

Doug
07-21-2010, 12:50 PM
Glad to hear she is doing well Brett.

lastlight
07-30-2010, 05:18 AM
Big thanks to Red Coral for hooking me up with a Blue Wave 3 ballast. Finally found a true M80 250w ballast I am so psyched! Manufactured in Dec 07 and brand new in box lol...that's kinda cool. It's been waiting for me up on that dusty shelf hehe.

Have a Lumenmax Elite and Radium 250 SE on the way. Hope to have the new rig hung sometime next week. I guess I'd better post updated pics before I go and fry everything.

lastlight
07-31-2010, 04:14 AM
Well before I upgrade my lighting next week I thought I better post new pics in case I kill everything. I also want a reference for new growth pics after the upgrade.

Some things have grown quite a bit I think considering they're all under a single 150w 20k Radium. Others did next to nothing except for some encrusting. Many of the slow performers are nearer to the glass and my reflector really cheats all those corals because it is so focused.

You'll notice my blue digi that's mounted lower is receding. It's a very slow recession and I'm hoping more light down low will help it recover.

6 weeks have elapsed in these shots.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth2.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth3.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth4.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth5.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth6.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth7.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth8.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth9.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth10.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth11.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth12.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth13.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth14.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth15.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth16.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth17.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth18.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth19.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growth20.jpg

lastlight
07-31-2010, 04:16 AM
Here's a few more. First two shots show my new corals. Third I just liked.

Last 3 are new FTS.

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/more1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/more2.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/more3.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growfts1.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growfts2.jpg

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/growfts3.jpg

lastlight
07-31-2010, 04:19 AM
Almost forgot my new baby: she's HUGE!

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/ballast.jpg

Lance
07-31-2010, 04:23 AM
The tank is coming along nicely. Looks great.

Dez
07-31-2010, 04:29 AM
Almost forgot my new baby: she's HUGE!

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/solana/ballast.jpg

Wow, brings back memories. That was my first ballast that I bought 6 or 7 years ago! Really nice with radiums.

lastlight
07-31-2010, 04:43 AM
I'm doing arm curls with it right now. I do step-downs and transition to the old magnetic in the cabinet and finish with the tiny one that came with the tank lol.

lastlight
07-31-2010, 05:47 AM
After only 2 days in my tank I'm sad to say my little neon goby jumped. Found him on the carpet under the stand today after looking in the tank/chambers for an hour. Really sucks he was so cute. I'm now considering a mesh top but would even the 1/4" mesh keep another one from jumping? They are TINY.

My royal gramma with the swollen eye ate some mysis today and was out of his hidey hole a few times so things are looking up for him.

fishoholic
08-01-2010, 01:16 PM
Sorry to hear about the neon :sad: However I'm glad to hear the gramma is doing better. Tanks is looking good :smile:

lastlight
08-05-2010, 05:01 AM
Ok I just got the Lumenmax Elite hung. It's so ghetto with like tie-wraps and stuff. This bulb looks unreal to me. I actually don't think the 150w ballast I previously had (case looked homemade and had no labels but was magnetic) was hqi (m81) as this 250w on the m80 fluoresces like MAD! Spread is also insane compared to the disco ball. I'm seeing parts of corals and rock I never saw before. Some corals are already showing more polyp extension or some where there never was any.

Two problems now.

1) I need to build a 3-sided open top canopy to wrap around the tank because you can't sit on the couch anymore without getting BLASTED.

2) my poor azoo 4-fan unit HAS NOT SHUT OFF since it first came on. It seems to be holding things at 80 but it can't get the tank back to 79 and it's been nearly 20 min. This won't get any better when a canopy is on. I do plan to cut vent slits in the front to allow flow out the front but still...

So anyone have a used chiller they want to sell? DAAAAMN!

muck
08-05-2010, 05:05 AM
Wheres the pics bud...:noidea:

lastlight
08-05-2010, 05:15 AM
Tank had already had a full day's light when I hung the pig. Didn't wanna blast the tank for too long. Pics tomorrow maybe. More likely AFTER I make my canopy!

I think if I get another fan and have it aimed UP so it's moving air across the bulb and away from the tank it will help. Tomorrow I'll pickup a nice quiet fan that will run whenever the light is on. Any recommendations?

lobsterboy
08-05-2010, 05:59 AM
Tanks lookin awesome Brett, lots of growth on those sticks. :lol: