Easy Solana Overflow Mod

[pweissma]

A question about silencing the Solana overflow recently came up in the Solana thread. This mod fixes the problem by providing a good support for the overflow sponge. I originally posted this in April 2010 in a different forum. My Solana's been running since then with this mod without any trouble.

This is really simple but it fixes a problem that a lot of people seem to be having. The sponge in my Solana overflow kept on slipping downward. Keeping it high to catch the water from the overflow is important to eliminate that waterfall sound. All I did was cut a piece of eggcrate and stuck it under the sponge. The supports that were designed to hold up the sponge keep the eggcrate in place. The eggcrate keeps the sponge nice and high. Use the sponge to push the eggcrate into place. This keeps it straight.

 

[cody6766]

I just wanted echo the thanks in the Solana thread that prompted this. I just put one in my tank with some scrubber pad over it and all I can hear is the skimmer. Gracias!

 

[icechimpee]

Great info. Thanks.

 

[Vpham97]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[scubasamdo]

This was the first mod I did to my newly acquired solana, thanks. Sam

 

[Fish_Hobby]

Looks good...

 

[Mindflux]

Yep. I did this about a year ago when I got sick of my sponges falling through the overflow.

 

[summoner12]

My tank is only about 6 days old.... but I am finding that if I place any filter pad into the overflow the water level drops quite a bit in the back of the tank and the water level in the display rises. Should I be using a sponge type 'pad/filter'? I was using white filter pad similar to what InTank sells and the water flow was disrupted.

Is this a common issue?

I am using the stock pump as far as I know (purchased tank used and model of pump came up as similar to stock pump... I think?). The water level doesn't go up very high on the overflow grate without a pad installed. It rises about half way up without anything in the overflow. I do have the nozzles removed from the loc-line, but I dunno if that would really effect it THAT much...?

As I said the tank is only a few days old.... so maybe this is all just a part of the break in period? The overflow has gotten a tad bit quieter in the last couple of days. and now it makes less noise but is still noticeable. I ended up placing a bit of filter pad in the overflow tube but just so it's touching the water... not down inside of the tube. I guess it helps direct the water down without obstructing the flow too much. This has sorta worked for me to reduce the noise level.

 

[summoner12]

So the tank has been up and running for about three months now. I did find a filter sponge that worked well for me until it got clogged with some chaeto.....

This sponge did not restrict water flow for me unless it had larger items caught up in the sponge. It did quiet down the overflow a good deal. I don't run the sponge all of the time since I am used to the sound. BUT I do pop it in when I have people over and I'd like the tank to be quieter.