Solana tank owner thread.

[lastlight]

I'm still seeing plenty of bubbles in mine too. Been running...I can't recall 4 months maybe? Using a 9002 as a skimmer. How does the flow route? Mine is against the wall and I forgot to really look before filling.

I think it goes down the overflow tower, then up and over into chamber two, then down and under into chamber 3? Is that correct? I sunk my bag of carbon down into the bottom of chamber 2 thinking it would block the bubbles from going in but maybe there is a slot middle of the way up that the water goes thru.

 

[Lakeside518]

I bit the bullet and ordered a Euro-Reef Nano skimmer. I don't want to take any chances with my livestock. I'll post up some pics in a week or so.

The Tunze 6055 on the controller works awesome for wave production in the Solana.

 

[sfexplicit]

Hey Sal9012, awesome build thread. Wish I was handy like you. Thanks for the link.

 

[ragnas]

That is a shame. It really is a nice little tank. I know how frustrated you must be.

Well, after a lot of back and forth, I decided to do something a little more custom. I'm going to use the replacement stand that's being shipped out with a 25g cube (Mr. Aqua 18x18x18) and a sump (Eshopps RS-75). I ordered an overlow and return line set from gh, and everything to build my light fixture. I'll start a build thread once I have all the pieces in place. The Mr. Aqua is just slightly smaller than the solana, but without the back sump, it should offer some more room to work with.

 

[Lakeside518]

I would drill a tank before ever using a HOB U-tube overflow again! No matter how anal you are at maintenance its bound to fail and loose siphon at some point and flood your floor.

When I first entered reefing, I had HOB overflows. IMHO they were a ticking time bomb. One flood nearly started the house on fire before the gfi tripped. Lucky for me I returned home from work just as this was happening. I then switched all my setups out for RR tanks.

 

[ragnas]

I would drill a tank before ever using a HOB U-tube overflow again! No matter how anal you are at maintenance its bound to fail and loose siphon at some point and flood your floor.

When I first entered reefing, I had HOB overflows. IMHO they were a ticking time bomb. One flood nearly started the house on fire before the gfi tripped. Lucky for me I returned home from work just as this was happening. I then switched all my setups out for RR tanks.

Oh, I'll definitely be drilling this tank. A HOB just sounds like a bad idea, based on your experience, it sounds like it is!

 

[MyMonkey]

Dunno, I have run HOB's on many tanks and never had a problem aside from the need to clean the tube every few months. If made well and installed correctly I have found them to be reliable. Just my experience though.

 

[rck]

Whats a good simple and cheap pump that's easy to fit with tubes for a ATO?

 

[a-T-m]

Has anyone else got a microbubble problem with the stock skimmer? would mesh modding fix that?

My solana's coming along well. but i want to pick up an mp10 before i post any pics. I'm dying to get my hands on one of those.

It's been running for 2-3 months. An upgrade from a biocube 14

I bit the bullet and ordered a Euro-Reef Nano skimmer. I don't want to take any chances with my livestock. I'll post up some pics in a week or so.

The Tunze 6055 on the controller works awesome for wave production in the Solana.

i didn't know the tunze 6055 had a controller. Is it something that i'd have to buy separately?

 

[Lakeside518]

Yes you need to buy a single or multi controller depending on how 6055's you plan on using. If your only using two you can get a Y-connector. But a single controller can only operate two pumps. Anything more and you need to buy a multi controller.

 

[a-T-m]

so would it be cheaper to buy an mp10 or the 6055 and controller?

 

[wdubosecsvt]

MP10 would be cheaper for sure. Plus, less real estate taken up.

 

[ragnas]

The tank I received with shipping damage only had cracked glass on the rear wall. I was able to remove the bulkhead and the broken rear panel of glass. I got a quote from a local glass shop for a piece of plate glass to replace it. My question is assuming I use the appropriate silicone to install a replacement piece of glass, would the tank be as strong as a factory new tank? For some reason I feel like (probably incorrectly) it wouldn't be as strong. If I can safely replace the rear piece of glass and drill it, I'm in business...

Of course I already ordered the 25g Mr. Aqua. All options are on the table though.

 

[Kweli]

I just received a used Solana and I have some questions...

What pre-filter sponge do you guys use on the overlfow? The one provided to me seems to restrict flow, which causes the main tank to overflow due to the return pumps pressure...

Has anyone installed the hydor flo rotating head to the two return nozzles? Wondering if this is a good idea...

Would love to see some pictures of peoples 2nd chambers (with cheato)... is there anyone with a thread on this?

 

[killarsox]

Solana's are awesome! But I'd also take a look at the 45G Marineland Tank. Lacks starphire glass, and the rimless affect but the dimensions 24x24x18 are perfect. Plus it's reef ready, which is a huge plus. The only things I miss about my 125g compared to my solana, is tangs and a sump. However a nano reef is far more enjoyable.

 

[a-T-m]

thanks killarsox, im debating also with the 50g cadlight artisan. its starfire, has an led pendant, skimmer etc. but its 20h instead of 18. im actually wondering how it is working with a sump. my 12g is aio, ive never had a sump. so you think that is a good option? would you take that over an aio solana?

If you've never heard of a sump, why not check this out

a sump is basically a separate tank, connected to your main tank, that houses extra water and your filtration systems that are all housed in separate chambers.

If you look at your 12g aio, you'll see that the back is chambered. Picture the chambers in a separate tank, and you've got a sump. The concepts behind aio's are that they incorporate sump elements into the tank.

 

[9thwonder]

just more water volume

 

[nirvanaandtool]

Solana's are awesome! But I'd also take a look at the 45G Marineland Tank. Lacks starphire glass, and the rimless affect but the dimensions 24x24x18 are perfect. Plus it's reef ready, which is a huge plus. The only things I miss about my 125g compared to my solana, is tangs and a sump. However a nano reef is far more enjoyable.

Those Marineland cubes are so nice. I think about upgrading to it every time i see it in the LFS

 

[nirvanaandtool]

The 60g one or the smaller one? I'd love the 24x24x24 60g version. Yea its not starphire but it seems solid and reasonably priced. It not being rimless doesnt bother me. Kinda of tired of rimless cause it makes such a mess anytime you do anything in the tank.

 

[Kweli]

Can anyone tell me what pre-filter media they use?

Ive purchased 2 different kinds, and each one slows the flow too much (causing my pump to flood the display tank)... PLEASE HELP!!!!