34g Solana rimless tank
- Thread starter Nirol
- Start date
As far as advice, its really up to what your looking for in a tank and if the price is right. Mines pretty much stock except that I upgraded to a Tunze skimmer and put in a MP10. I like the disco ball light and it serves its purpose in allowing me to basically get any coral or clam I would like. It may not be the prettiest light fixture out there though. The Aquapod had a lid that trapped in alot of heat and the power compact lights didn't really put out enough light to keep much besides the basic low light corals. Of course there are mods out there that could address this but they all cost money and its depends what your willing to spend.
I had an Oceanic 30g cube with a sump and all of that jazz. I also have a 14g BioCube. I had to replace the Oceanic system with a tank with a smaller footprint (due to the sump, my stand was larger than the cube) and that led me to the Solana. I would describe it as something between a BioCube-type all-in-one and a full system like my Oceanic cube was.
As far as the things it's lacking, well, there a few. It needs a good ATO (just like any tank), it needs a few additional powerheads or a single mp10, and lastly, it probably needs more light. I have the disco ball and I just don't think it's quite enough. I'm probably going to bump mine to the 250w radium that was over my Oceanic cube. It's not a necessity, but I'm doing it. In full disclosure, the bulb in my Disco ball is WAY overdue for replacement.
My only real complaint is the price one pays for a rimless tank. It's very easy to splash water out of the tank when working in it. I have to have a towel in hand when I clean the glass, every time. The rimless look is worth it though. It allows the tank to fade away and let the coral take the show.
As far as the things it's lacking, well, there a few. It needs a good ATO (just like any tank), it needs a few additional powerheads or a single mp10, and lastly, it probably needs more light. I have the disco ball and I just don't think it's quite enough. I'm probably going to bump mine to the 250w radium that was over my Oceanic cube. It's not a necessity, but I'm doing it. In full disclosure, the bulb in my Disco ball is WAY overdue for replacement.
My only real complaint is the price one pays for a rimless tank. It's very easy to splash water out of the tank when working in it. I have to have a towel in hand when I clean the glass, every time. The rimless look is worth it though. It allows the tank to fade away and let the coral take the show.
scubasamdo
New member
I just picked up a Solana. Love the rimless look and the AIO is a must as I am limited by space. I could not do a tank/sump because of space constraints in my office. I have had it for a week, purchased w livestock. Still making my mind up on what to add / change. On the list is MP10, Apex, LED build.
So far I love it!
So far I love it!
scubasamdo
New member
The stock auto top off sucks. I'm also trying to figure an ATO w/o taking up lots of space.
Nirol
Registered Member
Here's the offer:
34 gallon Solana (all in one) rimless cube aquarium with glass top. Mahogany cabinet/stand. Built in but removable protein skimmer for marine aquarium use. 150 watt Metal Halide light fixture and 150 watt submersible heater. All in good working condition. Over $1000 new with included equipment. 2 years old.
$500
Good deal or not?
34 gallon Solana (all in one) rimless cube aquarium with glass top. Mahogany cabinet/stand. Built in but removable protein skimmer for marine aquarium use. 150 watt Metal Halide light fixture and 150 watt submersible heater. All in good working condition. Over $1000 new with included equipment. 2 years old.
$500
Good deal or not?
Nirol
Registered Member
What's wrong with the ATO?
The ATO is just an inverted bottle IIRC. It would empty quickly and basically just be a pain to work with. I plan on keeping my reservoir in the stand when I install my aftermarket one. I don't have the stock one in my tank. It wasn't included when I bought it used. I paid $300 for the light, stand, and Tunze skimmer. The tank needed a new return pump and a new bulb for the light. That's basically $60-80 in needed parts, but an upgraded skimmer.
I think the tank and stand were around $750 new.
I think the tank and stand were around $750 new.
ohioreefer
New member
I have a solana hated the ato other then that great tank mine is far from stock now but thats just because i really enjoy it 500 is not bad deal at all there guys around here paying alot more for them but you can get alot larger tank for the money also all in what you want i love the look
scubasamdo
New member
As a quick fix for the ato i put together an acrylic box that is the size of the top (dry top) portion of chamber 3. It holds 0.5g or just over twice the volume of stock. eventually I will get a proper larger volume ato.
moltenchicken
New member
I personally love the look of the Solana. I put a 40b on hold when I was able to find one of these cheap.
How much rock really depends on what scape your trying to build and how rigid your tank maintenance is. I have a little over 30lbs of live rock and 40lbs of live sand in mine. I find the 150 watt ok for my corals and clams. If you're going for a heavy sps tank you may want to upgrade. That choice is up to you.
I have around 25lbs of rock in mine. It may be a little less, but I'm not sure. I have 20lbs of sand. Also, I'm using the stock 150w disco ball light on my mixed reef and it seems to be adequate. I'm on the fence about a 250w upgrade. I'm going to give it some time and see how it pans out.
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