Dr. Fish's 34G Solana SuperBrite

[Dr. Fish]

I decided I was done with the AIO type tanks and am in the process of swapping from a 29G Biocube HQI to the new style Solana w/o the chambers in the rear. I believe it’s called the 34G Solana SuperBrite.
I started by drilling out the return and drain holes in the back glass, I could have done a better job but this was my first attempt at glass drilling. Painted the back glass black to hide the plumbing

Installed the Gl*******s overflow and return
http://bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/IMG_4589.jpg

I bought this acrylic cube built it out to work as a sump. The skimmer and pump chambers are about as tight as they can be. I wanted as much room in the front chamber as I could get so I can either grow macroalgae or have a mini frag section or go crazy and do BOTH!! http://bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/IMG_4560.jpg

http://bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/IMG_4566.jpg

Bent a couple pieces of ½” conduit, painted them black, and drilled some holes to hang my light from. I think they turned out well. I capped the ends with 2 random black plastic caps I found in the hardware section of Lowes.
http://bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/IMG_4577.jpg

Tank sitting on stand, its coming together. I’m liking it
http://bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/IMG_4604.jpg

Rear plumbing fitted, glued, painted and installed
http://bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/IMG_4591.jpg

http://bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/IMG_4598.jpg

Shot of the sump inside the stand
http://bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/IMG_4602.jpg

6x24w ATI Sunpower hung
http://bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/IMG_4617.jpg

http://bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/IMG_4614.jpg


I need to fill it with water to test all the plumbing and then figure out the logistics of actually swapping over my sand, rock, fish, and corals. Not too confident in doing that.

[dailydriven911]

Sweet I have the same tank! Looking good so far!

[Dr. Fish]

The first several leak test didn't go well. The bulkhead was leaking. I took it apart and reinstalled it about 10 times, draining and refilling the tank each go around.

Its not leaking yet, but my fingers are crossed this is the last time.

[alford35]

Looks good! I'm wanting one about that size or a tad larger for my next nano. I've never drilled glass either and that has been the only thing stopping me from getting one already. Will get up the nerve one day and just go for it or take it to a glass shop lol. Really like having an external sump too! Makes things much easier when the sump is below the tank. Wire mess, macro lighting, skimmer, and other components are all away from the DT and makes it look much better IMHO.

[dailydriven911]

Drilling is super easy! Just use a guide it makes it much easier and you will get better results!

[chad p]

Lookin' good. Did you make the molding along the top or did it come like that? I'm used to seeing them without any kind of framing.

[chicago_animal]

I just got the same tank. WHat did you paint the back with?

[evo_2679]

Nice build !!! Wow - that a great light fixture..

[Dr. Fish]

Lookin' good. Did you make the molding along the top or did it come like that? I'm used to seeing them without any kind of framing.

Its an optional item that you can buy for the Solana's. I'm not sure if I am going to sue it or not. I like the rimless look too much I think.


I just got the same tank. WHat did you paint the back with?

I used Krylon Fusion spray paint. I've seen several other people use it and it comes out great.

[Solitaryensis]

Curious, where did you get the acrylic cube you used as the sump? I am looking for something nearly identical to that. Thanks.

[Dr. Fish]

Curious, where did you get the acrylic cube you used as the sump? I am looking for something nearly identical to that. Thanks.

I looked for along time and simply got lucky that someone near me had one for sale. $40 well spent, all I had to do was cut and install the baffles.


Side note:
Sand is in and tank is filling with saltwater. If the water isn't too cloudy tonight ill turn on the lights and snap some pics.

[terancevan88]

Looks like it will be great

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

[m-six hundred]

Nice man I've got the same thing going on over here.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2180892

[m-six hundred]

Can you take a picture of your tank straight on? I would like to see the over hang of that fixture. Maybe a pic of the fixture on so I can see how much overflow of light it puts out. Thanks DOC!

[Dr. Fish]

So far I have stocked the tank with a few fish and some frags

http://www.bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/july20/IMG_4689.jpg

Yasha goby and pistol shrimp
http://www.bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/july20/IMG_4657.jpg
http://www.bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/july20/IMG_4673.jpg

Black Clown Goby
http://www.bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/july20/IMG_4665.jpg

Picasso Clowns
http://www.bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/july20/IMG_4724.jpg

Tank has a haze to it, still working on getting everything perfect.
http://www.bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/july20/IMG_4671.jpg

http://www.bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/july20/IMG_4672.jpg

Couple of frags
http://www.bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/july20/IMG_4718.jpg

Shot of the sump
http://www.bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/july20/IMG_4707.jpg

http://www.bigboosting.com/hosted/tank/solanabuild/july20/IMG_4694.jpg

[nwcronauer1242]

updates?? wondering if you decided to keep the trim ring around the top or go rimless. Also, any additional livestock?

[Dr. Fish]

I have been lazy on updating but I will post a large update tomorrow with more pics....New fish, new corals, new sump layout, etc...

[Aaron77]

Sweet tank. Look forward to the update.

[Dr. Fish]

Well,

I was going to take pics for an update but when I woke up the tank is in a full bacteria bloom. White cloudy water.

If interested I made a thread about it.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=20533307#post20533307

[prop-frags]

Beautiful setup and love your aquascape! Sorry to hear about the bacterial bloom and hope you get it resolved soon...

-M&T

[Dr. Fish]

The water is still cloudy this morning so I am swapping out my carbon for twice the amount to see if it can make any difference.

Corals and fish don't seem to be bothered by it so its not an emergency it just looks terrible.

[frederik_]

Love the aquascape!

[Dr. Fish]

Water has cleared up!!!!!!!! I'll post an update with pics later today.

[Tasler]

Looking forward to update! Taggin along

[chad p]

I'm thinking of swapping out my nano cube 28 for a setup like this. I love the way you set up the sump with the 3 chambers. I had a few quick questions on the build that I wondered if you could answer:

-What are the dimensions of the sump?
-Which model skimmer is that?
-What pump are you using for your return and are you satisfied with the amount of flow you're getting from it along with the mp10?

Thanks!