Solana tank owner thread.

here is my Frankensteined Solana, I have the Radion LED, 2 part dosing, and just added the Algae Turff scrubber seen at the Left. I'm prepping for my 150g tank to swap some stuff over. Right now it is not "clean" but functional. It is a display / frag tank right now. The radion works great for the Solana. When the 150 is up, I will go back to a cleaner setup.
 

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Anyone using Hydor Slim Skim Nano in first chamber?
If so did you modify the overflow? Are you happy with the outcome?
We have Tunze 9002 and never really had any luck w it.
 
Thank you! Yes I glued them to the back wall right above the return lines. It worked out well you can not even tell they are there. Thanks again
 
cfmx said:
Anyone using Hydor Slim Skim Nano in first chamber?
If so did you modify the overflow? Are you happy with the outcome?
We have Tunze 9002 and never really had any luck w it.
Click to expand...

You may want to watch this "review" by Mr Saltwater TV...

I have an almost new Slim Skim Nano skimmer as it came with a barely used QT I bought. My stock skimmer wasn't loud to me, so I'm sticking with it unless its skimming performance is noticeably deficient. Only then will I swap in the Hydor Slim Skim Nano.
 
cfmx said:
I watched this but he tested the old model. Not sure if new model is slightly thinner.
Will have answer to this question by next week when skimmer comes in. Hoping to get it into first chamber. Otherwise will have to make decision to place it in second chamber or modify 1st chamber.
Click to expand...

According to Mark in his video, the "older" model (didn't know there was a change in design) if the skimmer was an 1/8" thinner then it could fit into the first chamber. I have my doubts that Hydor would have retooled the entire body of the skimmer to be thinner if there is such a "newer" design; I'm sure if there were any changes, it would be pump and/or internal changes as it would be much easier for a manufacturer to implement these simpler changes from a tooling perspective. Just my opinion but based on understanding manufacturing costs and processes perspective.

But please post your findings when you get your new skimmer...
 
cfmx said:
Anyone using Hydor Slim Skim Nano in first chamber?
If so did you modify the overflow? Are you happy with the outcome?
We have Tunze 9002 and never really had any luck w it.
Click to expand...

I dont think the slim skim nano will fit in chamber 1
 
Wow. I have been battling an algae issue for a couple weeks. I have been doing bi weekly water changes in hopes if getting it under control. I did another one today and it was the skimmer chambers turned to be siphoned. Im pretty sure I found my issue. I took the skimmer all the way out and gave it a vinegar bath. Tons of crap all inside it. The compartment itself was just full of detritus as well. I usually switch which compartment i siphon every water change but apparently I had let that one slip for a while.

What filter material are you running in the overflow area to prevent that stuff from getting back there?
 
Solana Temp w/ stock equipment

Solana Temp w/ stock equipment

Anyone having a issue with the temp of the tank?

My tank is 82F with the stock equipment. I just modded the stock skimmer and put it into the tank. Just running skimmer, LEDs, return pump and I turned off my other powerheads (well, it happen to die for some reason) but its still 82.

Def, don't want to add a chiller. Did anyone switch out the return pump or something to get the temp down?

Maybe this isn't an issue on the 34g; I have the 25g version.
 
I did a trial setup of my 34G 1st Gen with stock skimmer and return during winter and the temps dropped into the low 60's at night. Granted, the house heater wasn't turned on, the ambient temps where in the low 60's, the MH off, and the glass lid on OEM wooden frame was on (minimal evaporation). During the day, it only got into mid-70's; same as ambient temps here in Sandy Eggo. This forced me to buy a heater for the tank.

Now, I don't know what the temps will be like during the summer but by then I will have the new Tunze LEDs and hope I don't see temps going above mid-80's. Otherwise, I may open the lid during the hot days and attach a fan to encourage evaporation to lower temps.
 
Knd107 said:
Anyone having a issue with the temp of the tank?
Click to expand...

I have 25g Ecoxotic cube and it runs at 77. But I use 2 fans because of same issue with heat. The fans are Zoo Med Aqua Cool Aquarium Fans. I have the fans on my Digital Aquatics controller otherwise the tank would get too cold.
 
I was using a small desktop fan but i think all the salt got to it. It just failed on me last week. I thinking about wiring up a few computer graphics card fans to ait ontop of the back compartments.

They are only $2-3 and work with an old phone charger.
 
cfmx said:
I have 25g Ecoxotic cube and it runs at 77. But I use 2 fans because of same issue with heat. The fans are Zoo Med Aqua Cool Aquarium Fans. I have the fans on my Digital Aquatics controller otherwise the tank would get too cold.
Click to expand...

Yup, thats the tank I have too. Turns out its not the Cardiff Model which I thought was the 25g version of the Solana.

I guess I'll have to add fans then but I don't have a controller so its going to be tricky. I guess in the end if I have to get a DA or Apex then its better than buying a chiller.

How are you running your tank?

I got the modded skimmer in chamber 1, chemi elite and Chaeto in chamber 2 and stock return in chamber 3.

I initially got the intank media tray and hydor nano skimmer but it doesn't fit the Ecoxotic.
 
Knd107 - Love that skimmer (Hydor nano slim skim) just bought it for my husband's Solana. Works in his 2nd chamber. Did you try the second chamber? He made a media shelf for his first chamber. Hydor in second and ATO, heater, return pump in third.

My tank is simple. I'm still using the stock skimmer in 1st chamber. Been happy w/ it. Made my own media tray for second chamber and all I'm using is carbon and filter floss. 3rd chamber has my heater, ATO and return pump. Tank is controlled by Digital Aquatic Lite Controller (very happy with).
I just started Red Sea Reef Foundation program and finding it much easier to maintain ALK, Mg, Cal.
Today I started Red Sea Algae Program because I have always since the tank was set up had issues w/ red algae. I know its not flow because I have an MP10. Anyhow the program uses a product called No3Po4X (NoPox). Which is similar to dosing vodka.
Since I'm dosing NoPox I no longer have a need for GFO.
Here's a link to my build thread. I need to update pictures but you can at least see:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2098176
 
I found your thread after I posted. Would be interested in seeing where you are now. It's been about a year?

I brought this setup and the previous owner turned the first chamber into a refug and a filter sock in the second chamber.

Surprisingly, the parameters were good for no skimmer but I was worried that it would end up crashing somehow.

The modded stock skimmer is doing a decent job. I moved the cheato to the second chamber and I have the chemi elite hanging above it so there is water flow across the media.

I am thinking of just removing the cheato all together since its not much room to make it worth it. I took the stock divide and tied the chemi elite to it so it hangs in the second chamber and have floss on top of that.

Was upgrading the return pump worth it?

I saw your post about the LED controller and I'm going to see if it can control the jbj unibody led. Looks like it can but I think mine is analog control instead of PWM.
 
I will try to get some updated pics. I have had some ups and downs but the tank seem to be doing really well now.
Switched salts about a month ago from ESV to Red Sea Coral Pro and noticing a lot better growth on SPS now. :) My water change consist of 5 gallons a week.
Would like to see pics of your tank. Doesn't seem to be many out there.
 
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