Solana tank owner thread.

[MVlk]

Do not get the 20 NEP T5 fixture. I have it and love the fixture, but hate there is no bulb choices. a 24" model should be fine. Lots have run them on smaller tanks. The 150w lights do not seem to cause too much evap. 250 will start too, but again, lots of people use them without issue. As far as evap goes, a go ATO is essential regardless of lights, so evap is not a big issue.

 

[dustinc]

UVL is actually making 20" bulbs right now that haven't quite released yet so there will be more choices soon. I agree though that I would just go 24".

 

[MentalNote]

I like the 20" Sunpods. I use the 250 sunpod and I have to top off and use about about 5 gallons about every 6-10 days. I couldn't maintain this evaporation rate without an ATO.

A 150 would be less evaporation but even then I would save for an ATO system. Using the bottles grew old for me after a month.

I personally don't like the look of a 24" fixture over a 20" tank.

Good luck.

 

[laverda]

I evaporate a little over 1/2 quart a day on my cardiff with 150 MH. Cardiff is basicly the same tank, but with a rounded front.

 

[nirvanaandtool]

Ditto to what everyone else said.

Above all, get an ATO system. They are a life saver. The bottles sucked - big time.

As for lighting depends what you want to keep. I like my 150 but I kind of wish I stepped up to a 250 now that my fascination for sps grows.
With UVL coming out with bulbs for the 20" NEP, that doesnt seem like a bad option anymore.

Good luck to whatever you decide.

 

[BPro32]

I have 150w w/ 2x65w pc running now and debating a 250w retro with floating canopy. Anybody think this is a bad idea?

 

[laverda]

Ditto to what everyone else said.
As for lighting depends what you want to keep. I like my 150 but I kind of wish I stepped up to a 250 now that my fascination for sps grows.

I have no problem keeping Sps, even just 2 inches above the sand bed with the 150 MH using the Phoenix 14k bulb.

 

[nirvanaandtool]

I have no problem keeping Sps, even just 2 inches above the sand bed with the 150 MH using the Phoenix 14k bulb.

Ah gotcha. Thanks for the info.
I wasnt having a problem keeping all my current sps but wasnt seeing a ton of growth. Granted I was using the stock current bulb though.
I just switched to a Phoenix 14k 2 days ago so hopefully I see some better growth.

 

[poolkeeper1]

M/h

M/h

:thumbsup:

Ah gotcha. Thanks for the info.
I wasnt having a problem keeping all my current sps but wasnt seeing a ton of growth. Granted I was using the stock current bulb though.
I just switched to a Phoenix 14k 2 days ago so hopefully I see some better growth.

I had the 150W Disco Ball and switched to a Aqua Medic 250W HQI and It's like day and night with the 14K Pheonix bulb:thumbsup: Plus the fixture looks a lot better than that ball! Never liked It... As far as growth we will see It's only been about 2 weeks but color Is already Improving.
Bill:wave:

 

[MVlk]

Anyone have a link to info on UVL making 20" bulbs? This would rock if it happens!

 

[nirvanaandtool]

:thumbsup:

I had the 150W Disco Ball and switched to a Aqua Medic 250W HQI and It's like day and night with the 14K Pheonix bulb:thumbsup: Plus the fixture looks a lot better than that ball! Never liked It... As far as growth we will see It's only been about 2 weeks but color Is already Improving.
Bill:wave:

I dunno. I actually like the look of the discoball light. Its not that bad.

But that's awesome about the upgrade to the 250. What color bulb do you have in it?
Let us know how your corals do with it on there!

 

[poolkeeper1]

Bulb

Bulb

I dunno. I actually like the look of the discoball light. Its not that bad.

But that's awesome about the upgrade to the 250. What color bulb do you have in it?
Let us know how your corals do with it on there!

It came with a 14K Pheonix that Is only 3 months old, I like It and will wait and see how my corals do under It B4 I make any changes.
Bill:wavehand:

 

[Majority_Rules]

I'm having the WORST time with my Tunze 9002. I've never been able to get it to produce a thick foam. It's always very very wet. I've tried playing with the water level and the knob. I read on here if you cut the air hose inside it will help. I tried that and of course it didn't change a thing. Has anyone been able to produce a good skimmate with this thing? How low are you guys keeping it in the water? Does anyone have any pictures of what the bubbles look like with and without the collection cup. It would be nice to see where the bubble level is inside of the skimmer so I know where to put it. Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

[dustinc]

Anyone have a link to info on UVL making 20" bulbs? This would rock if it happens!

Just do a search over on the "other forum" and you should be able to find it. I think nanotuners.com might be the exclusive dealer.

 

[SawdustInTank]

I have 150w w/ 2x65w pc running now and debating a 250w retro with floating canopy. Anybody think this is a bad idea?

"250w retro with floating canopy"
I am actually going this route myself. I would like to supplement with actinic lighting too. My canopy only has a clear interior space of 15" wide. The only actinic lighting I have found that will fit in this space is a retro fit kit from N-Tuners, Sunpaq 32 watt PC kit, or Power Brites.

 

[poolkeeper1]

"250w retro with floating canopy"
I am actually going this route myself. I would like to supplement with actinic lighting too. My canopy only has a clear interior space of 15" wide. The only actinic lighting I have found that will fit in this space is a retro fit kit from N-Tuners, Sunpaq 32 watt PC kit, or Power Brites.

IMO The PC are worthless, Go with Led's for suplement lighting and you will be better off. I already have the 250W just need to get my Led set up for the color Pop I'm looking for to be happy with the look I'll be getting. Not the best english but you know what I mean:hmm3:
Bill:wavehand:

 

[nirvanaandtool]

It came with a 14K Pheonix that Is only 3 months old, I like It and will wait and see how my corals do under It B4 I make any changes.
Bill:wavehand:

Ah nice.
I love my Phoenix 14k bulb. Such an improvement over the stock current bulb.

"250w retro with floating canopy"
I am actually going this route myself. I would like to supplement with actinic lighting too. My canopy only has a clear interior space of 15" wide. The only actinic lighting I have found that will fit in this space is a retro fit kit from N-Tuners, Sunpaq 32 watt PC kit, or Power Brites.

Could always just get a 20k 250 bulb and skip the actinic supplement all together. Just a thought.

 

[FiReC]

What are you guys using to dose ? I'm use to having a sump and dosing was a lot easier with no head pressure

I tried my aquamedic sp3000 from the floor up to the top of the tank... no go.. craps out at like 2 ft of head.

My aqualifter kinda works, but I have to mount it at about the stand height so it pulls a couple ft and pushes the rest of the way.. but it seems to fluctuate a lot and I would prefer to hide everything in the stand.

I want to put a couple 2.5 gal in the stand for dosing alk and calc... what should I use to push it up to the top?

 

[MentalNote]

For dosing I would recommend Bulk Reef Supply 2 Part dosers. The pump is rated for 20ft max of head pressure. They dose a steady 1.1 ml a minute, all you need to do is set up a timer.

 

[FiReC]

For dosing I would recommend Bulk Reef Supply 2 Part dosers. The pump is rated for 20ft max of head pressure. They dose a steady 1.1 ml a minute, all you need to do is set up a timer.

My sp3000 is rated at 30ft, it can do 2ft lol!

thats what scares me about something like the bulk reef supply, looks so similar to the one I have... it does move a lot slower.