Solana tank owner thread.

[poolkeeper1]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1765720
Just thought I would post thi here as maybe someone Is lookung for a disco ball light.
Bill

 

[HulaDad]

Has anybody here added a sump/fuge to their 34g Solana?

 

[MVlk]

I have. Check my homepage build thread for pictures and details. It is running now but the 10 gallon tank is just to thin and keeps cracking. I have a custom 15 gallon long sump being built now to replace it.

 

[HulaDad]

Nice build there, I was hoping that someone had done an under tank sump though... Thanks and you have an awesome looking tank...

 

[MVlk]

Thx. Drilling was not an option for me and overflows just do not seem like a good fir for our tanks.

 

[blazing]

mvlk how do u like ur nova extrtreme pro fixture? i have a 150w MH sunpod and was thinking of getting a six bulb t5 fixture. how is coral growth with ur fixture?

 

[MVlk]

I would not recommend it. Since it is 20", you are limited to the stock bulbs only. They are not the best. The NEP fixture itself is great and with better bulb choices I would highly reccomend it. I had the 72" version and loved it on my old tank. When I get funds I will change over to a more standard 24" 6 bulb T5 config.

I will however say I am getting incredible growth for my zoas and LPS. Too much growth on some. I am selling off my frogspawn because it has grown too much. Color is only mediocre with the stock bulbs. I changed out one of the 10K for a 4th blue bulb to soften the color.

It is fine for softies and LPS. SPS and clams would be questionable. Even though I have no current plans to go SPS or clams, I still want to change since I feel too limited.

 

[kovuu86]

I have used a lot of those brands before and I guess I need to find out what the stock pump does for GPH, maybe somebody could fill me in.I would like to get something off the shelf and thought I read somewhere that somebody was using a Maxi-Jet 1200?

I know the chamber in which the return pump sits in is small so I need to be careful with the size of the pump.

Kevin, ive got a Rio 2100 (692gph) as my return. Been in there since i set mine up about the same time as you did last year without issues.

The only issue is size, it barely squeezed back there.:bigeyes:

 

[mikejones]

I believe it s 1/2"

Thank you very much. Now I can buy the two Adjustable Loc-line that was missing when I got the Aquarium.

 

[Kevin McG]

Kevin, ive got a Rio 2100 (692gph) as my return. Been in there since i set mine up about the same time as you did last year without issues.

The only issue is size, it barely squeezed back there.:bigeyes:

Thanks

Did you use the original tubing to connect it up or did you need something different? I see Rio has a 1700 that's the same size(642 gph) and a 1400 that's just a little smaller but only 420 gph. Maybe the 1400 would be a better choice being a little smaller and the 420 gph is considerably more than the stock return.

http://www.marinedepot.com/powerheads_pumps_taam_rio-ap.html
Rio 2100 - 5.1" x 2.75" x 3.75" 692 gph
Rio 1700 - 5.1" x 2.75" x 3.75" 642 gph
Rio 1400 - 3.9" x 2.5" x 3.25 420 gph


-Kevin

 

[Kevin McG]

Here's a question....

I have the 150watt disco ball and love that look so I don't want to but any other lighting setup. So, Does anybody know if they sell a separate ballast to upgrade to 250 watt? if so is the bulb socket same?

hmmmm

 

[dustinc]

The socket is a different size so that upgrade would be pretty tough...

 

[kovuu86]

I used the original tubing. However i wouldn't recomend rio pumps over others such as the eheim's. Apparently rios are infamous for failure. I only used it because it was a pump i had laying around from an older setup.

 

[JustinReef]

If your running a skimmer in the back of the solana or any all in one for that matter, you don't really want a flow rate of close to 700gph. I switched from the stock pump to a mj900 which is less flow and have seen huge improvements with my euroreef skimmer. Same with running gfo passively in the back, probably don't want so much flow through it.

Skimmers are much more effective when they can keep up with the flow rate through the chamber they are in. I personally would stick to below 300gph for a solana. You shouldn't be trying to get as much flow as possible from the return.

 

[Kevin McG]

The socket is a different size so that upgrade would be pretty tough...

I used the original tubing. However i wouldn't recomend rio pumps over others such as the eheim's. Apparently rios are infamous for failure. I only used it because it was a pump i had laying around from an older setup.

Thanks

If your running a skimmer in the back of the solana or any all in one for that matter, you don't really want a flow rate of close to 700gph. I switched from the stock pump to a mj900 which is less flow and have seen huge improvements with my euroreef skimmer. Same with running gfo passively in the back, probably don't want so much flow through it.

Skimmers are much more effective when they can keep up with the flow rate through the chamber they are in. I personally would stick to below 300gph for a solana. You shouldn't be trying to get as much flow as possible from the return.

Good point

 

[OctaviousMonk]

I agree with the above and plan on following that rational a I set up my new Solana

 

[Grizzy]

If your running a skimmer in the back of the solana or any all in one for that matter, you don't really want a flow rate of close to 700gph. I switched from the stock pump to a mj900 which is less flow and have seen huge improvements with my euroreef skimmer. Same with running gfo passively in the back, probably don't want so much flow through it.

Skimmers are much more effective when they can keep up with the flow rate through the chamber they are in. I personally would stick to below 300gph for a solana. You shouldn't be trying to get as much flow as possible from the return.

Justin,

Do you have any pictures of how your euroreef fits in the back? I want to get one so bad but after talking to the guys there they said it will stick out which won't work with my custom lid and lights.

Also, do you have any pictures of the skimmate it produces?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[rreed]

Liverock mount

Liverock mount

Who here was it that used the acrylic rod to mount his liverock in their solana?

 

[Kevin McG]

Who here was it that used the acrylic rod to mount his liverock in their solana?

I did that with mine, I used a 2'square x 1/2" thick piece of acrylic for a base and glued a 3/8" diameter rod in the center.Ten I drilled a hole into the two
pieces of rock and stacked them on top of each other sliding them through the holes.I wish I took pictures

 

[rreed]

No not the same one. He used a acrylic rod and kept all rock suspended in tank. It was early last year and he posted plenty of photos.