Solana tank owner thread.

[JAYWARREN]

I did not even see that about gift cards. To late for the tank order. But still to to buy lights and few more small things.

 

[Josh125]

New Tank

New Tank

Hey all

I will be starting a new solana in a week or so and thought I would ask you all to look over my equipment and see if I'm missing anything, or if you would recommend something else. I'm lucky enough to have a LFS near by that stocks Solanas so I don't need to worry about what appears to be all to frequent tank breakage.

MP20 (or 10?)
200W Stealth heater
Sapphire Skimmer
Sunpod 250K and will probably use the stock bulk for a while
Zero Edge Lamp Tree - How are these held up, floor stand or attached to the stand


I guess that's about it. What ATO are you all using? Also, looking at a controller but not sure which one....I've never had one before. I'm not interested in pH or the like, just something simple to control the lights I guess.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Hey all

I will be starting a new solana in a week or so and thought I would ask you all to look over my equipment and see if I'm missing anything, or if you would recommend something else. I'm lucky enough to have a LFS near by that stocks Solanas so I don't need to worry about what appears to be all to frequent tank breakage.

MP20 (or 10?)
200W Stealth heater
Sapphire Skimmer
Sunpod 250K and will probably use the stock bulk for a while
Zero Edge Lamp Tree - How are these held up, floor stand or attached to the stand


I guess that's about it. What ATO are you all using? Also, looking at a controller but not sure which one....I've never had one before. I'm not interested in pH or the like, just something simple to control the lights I guess.

PH being one of the Important basic parameters that need to be In the proper range IMO Not being Interested In this Is a recipe for failure! Most basic controllers come with this feature and knowing Temp, PH,Alk, Ca are all Important to a successful tank. I would advise you to rethink your approach to monitoring your parameters with or without a controller. JMHO
Don't take this any other way than I'm trying to help you be a sucess at what your wanting to achieve.:dance:
Bill

 

[MVlk]

+1 on pH. Get the Reefkeeper Lite with an SL1 module to monitor pH and temp. If you get the current Level 3 which maybe Level 2 now you will get 8 outlets and the SL1 for monitoring all the basics with pH. Add a float switch kit for a few more bucks and your ATO is taken care of as well.

 

[Josh125]

.

I still have test kits around from my last tank before it was sold due to a move. If I can save a bit on probes, etc I've never had problems with good ole fashioned test kits in the near 10 years I've been reefing.

Hmm, now you guys are just trying to get me to open my wallet a bit more aren't you. Ok, I'll read up on the reef keeper.

 

[poolkeeper1]

RKL 3 now 2

RKL 3 now 2

+1 on pH. Get the Reefkeeper Lite with an SL1 module to monitor pH and temp. If you get the current Level 3 which maybe Level 2 now you will get 8 outlets and the SL1 for monitoring all the basics with pH. Add a float switch kit for a few more bucks and your ATO is taken care of as well.

Mike, Clue me In on what your talking about 3 now being 2 ???
Bill

PS. Test kits are fine just too much work for me! the way It was worded I thought you were just dismissing It. I meant no offense, Hope your tank does well.:dance:

 

[Josh125]

Mike, Clue me In on what your talking about 3 now being 2 ???
Bill

PS. Test kits are fine just too much work for me! the way It was worded I thought you were just dismissing It. I meant no offense, Hope your tank does well.:dance:

Ahh, no worries. I surfed over to premium aquatics and it looks like the Level II is no longer, so it's either a Level I or III....no in between. $278 bucks, ouch.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Rkl

Rkl

Ahh, no worries. I surfed over to premium aquatics and it looks like the Level II is no longer, so it's either a Level I or III....no in between. $278 bucks, ouch.

Aquacave has a better price, When you get to the checkout and they ask If you have any coupons enter RC5 and they will take an additional 5% off your total. My RKL 3 plus Float switch kit 24.99 value all came to a grand total of 288.79 shipped. Good luck...
Bill:dance:

 

[blazing]

i got my tank in yesterday and notice that the chamber that holds the top off water bottles is not stright. the tank seems to be very poorly build and the piece that the top off bottles sit on will not go all the way down and it sits on an angle. has anyone had this problem? but the good news is that it made it in one piece.

 

[MVlk]

Most of us ditch the top off bottles straight away anyhow. Even before I got around to setting up my ATO, It was easier to just do it manually one or twice a day. Of course I did not have that much evaporation. There are too many problems with using them to mention. My biggest issue was with the return pump off, they would float up and spill all the water out.

...

As for the RKL level questions a few posts back ... DA announced the Net module will work with the RKL soon. Because of this the changed their bundles a bit. 1 is the same, 2 I believe went away, 3 is now the new 2 and a new 3 includes a Net module. The new 3 will not be available till next year. hit their website for more info.

 

[Hooked4life]

Hey all

I will be starting a new solana in a week or so and thought I would ask you all to look over my equipment and see if I'm missing anything, or if you would recommend something else. I'm lucky enough to have a LFS near by that stocks Solanas so I don't need to worry about what appears to be all to frequent tank breakage.

MP20 (or 10?)
200W Stealth heater
Sapphire Skimmer
Sunpod 250K and will probably use the stock bulk for a while
Zero Edge Lamp Tree - How are these held up, floor stand or attached to the stand


I guess that's about it. What ATO are you all using? Also, looking at a controller but not sure which one....I've never had one before. I'm not interested in pH or the like, just something simple to control the lights I guess.

The ZE lamp tree bolts to the stand. If you have a Solana stand it will come with a piece of wood to attach to the back of the stand to attach a light tree.

 

[Josh125]

The ZE lamp tree bolts to the stand. If you have a Solana stand it will come with a piece of wood to attach to the back of the stand to attach a light tree.

Thanks, have you seen any pics floating around that shows this? I went back through 40 pages or so and didn't see any.

. The new 3 will not be available till next year. hit their website for more info.

I see the float switch is only 15 bucks so I assume throw in a cheap pump and I have an ATO.

 

[Hooked4life]

Thanks, have you seen any pics floating around that shows this? I went back through 40 pages or so and didn't see any.

No pics. I know because I've owned both a ZE and a Solana. It will be obvious when you have all the parts in front of you.

Is your avatar a Westie puppie? I have a Westie--my second. Great dogs.

 

[MVlk]

Thanks, have you seen any pics floating around that shows this? I went back through 40 pages or so and didn't see any.



I see the float switch is only 15 bucks so I assume throw in a cheap pump and I have an ATO.

Pretty much. I use an Aqualifter. It is cheap and I like the slower flow so that it does not over fill too much before the switch trips and shuts the pump off. I have a few pictures of my ATO in my homepage.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Thanks, have you seen any pics floating around that shows this? I went back through 40 pages or so and didn't see any.



I see the float switch is only 15 bucks so I assume throw in a cheap pump and I have an ATO.

The Kit comes with the float switch plus the mounting bracket plus the wires needed to connect It to the SL1 module to program It to work. Then throw In a pump that will pump the distance you need to go from where you plan on putting the reservoir to your tank. In the end you need a kit unless you already have the other Items needed.
Bill:dance:

 

[Josh125]

No pics. I know because I've owned both a ZE and a Solana. It will be obvious when you have all the parts in front of you.

Is your avatar a Westie puppie? I have a Westie--my second. Great dogs.

Cool, thanks. I'm debating b/w the ZE and this. Yeah, Fuzzwald is a westie and 3 1/2 now. Guess I need to update my avatar. He's a great dog!

Pretty much. I use an Aqualifter. It is cheap and I like the slower flow so that it does not over fill too much before the switch trips and shuts the pump off. I have a few pictures of my ATO in my homepage.

Thanks, I'll go check it out. So if you guys convince me to get a RKL3 expect lots of questions

 

[MVlk]

The Digital Aquatics products such as the RKL have very poor documentation. However, most figure them out with a little help. Once you get it, you will be an expert and they are really nice. You will not regret it.

 

[Hooked4life]

Cool, thanks. I'm debating b/w the ZE and this. Yeah, Fuzzwald is a westie and 3 1/2 now. Guess I need to update my avatar. He's a great dog!

Pretty mixed reviews on the Current USA hanger, but the price sure is a lot better. Might be a case of you get what you pay for. I've never seen that one so I don't know.

Fuzzwald LOL. Is that his registered name or a nickname?

 

[Josh125]

Pretty mixed reviews on the Current USA hanger, but the price sure is a lot better. Might be a case of you get what you pay for. I've never seen that one so I don't know.

Fuzzwald LOL. Is that his registered name or a nickname?

Yeah I guess this is a case of get what you pay for as well. I will probably go with the ZE. Ha, no his registered name is Fuzzy but goes by many names :lol:

 

[Reef Ridster]

FWIW: I used the Current Hanger with no issues at all. Found it very stable. I moved it over to my 70g cube until I can afford a single arm like the zero edge. For the money, Its a very good setup imo.