Solana tank owner thread.

[johnoat]

led lighting

led lighting

I was going to go with the aquaillumination fixture, but just felt it was too much like a spotlight once I actually saw it. The only thing commercial I am still looking into is the Maxspect from China. It looks super nice.

Since I dont have a fixture, I also was looking into led . I cant locate anyone that sells the maxspect in the usa. I figured for this size tank it would be ideal. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[dustinc]

Do a google search and there are a couple places that will ship to the us and they accept paypal. With shipping and all it is a little over $300 for the 90w system.

 

[nirvanaandtool]

I've noticed since I added the fuge under the tank, I have a lot more stable water parameters, esp.. my ph, calc, and alk... and now I have pods out the ying yang in my back compartment where my skimmer use to be... I do like the idea of a gravity return fuge than a pump returned fuge, that's how I'll set up my next reef system, gravity all the way, I want a to make sure a mandarin can flourish... Keep us updated......

Just curious but how did you add a fuge to your Solana?
Did you drill it or add a HOB overflow?

Mind posting some info on your setup. Cause it sounds like you have a nice fuge going since you are running a 10g for it according to your sig.

I just have chaeto growing in my display now in a suction cup soap dish. Ghetto but I had to get it in there. Getting too much algae growth for my liking lately and needed some nutrient transfer. Figure its temporary until I rig up my light on the back of the tank for chamber 2.

 

[killarsox]

Well my time has come to join the club, Next weekend I go to pick up my Solana Tank. I had a question about lighting. I like the look of the disco ball fixture, but not sure if 150w will be enough. The only things i'm really worried about are my clam, and the few sps pieces that will be in the tank, 4-5 pieces. I figure the LPS and Zoa's should be fine. Do you guys think it will be enough light or should I upgrade to a 20" 250w Sunpod fixture??? Thanks

 

[rreed]

Fuge for Solana

Fuge for Solana

What about taking existing pump in solana and having it flow directly to fuge above solana, and return draining from fuge back into display tank. Then maybe a small powerhead to the existing return line, almost similiar to a closed loop system.
I'm having a fuge built now an it will be plumbed an running as I just posted. Lights for fuge will be leds.

 

[MVlk]

rreed. I just finished my above display fuge like you discussed. Check out my homepage for details.

 

[demeyer2]

My Solana's Fuge

My Solana's Fuge

I have wanted a fuge for a while and have been hesitant to doing an external fuge for obvious overflow and flood reasons. I put chaeto in my middle chamber and bought an LED fixture that has a magnet to connect on the back:

 

[MVlk]

I used the Nano-Glo light above for a few months before my above tank fuge was set up. It works very well and my cheato grew like crazy.

 

[rreed]

Nano Glo light

Nano Glo light

Where did you purchase this light

 

[demeyer2]

If this isn't allowed Moderators please remove it, but I purchased the Nano Glo from here.

 

[HulaDad]

Just curious but how did you add a fuge to your Solana?
Did you drill it or add a HOB overflow?

Mind posting some info on your setup. Cause it sounds like you have a nice fuge going since you are running a 10g for it according to your sig.

I just have chaeto growing in my display now in a suction cup soap dish. Ghetto but I had to get it in there. Getting too much algae growth for my liking lately and needed some nutrient transfer. Figure its temporary until I rig up my light on the back of the tank for chamber 2.

I added a diy hob overflow, I had the macro in a cup in my Solana for a while too, but it just wasn't doing the trick, so I got to playing around and this is what I came up with. My algae growth has totally transferred to my fuge now, and none it the tank. The fuge in the back of my tank wasn't helping me either. I built the overflow for about $20. Homemade overflow box with a few extra plumbing supplies...

Here's a link to my home thread with pic's of the fuge...
Thanks for looking.....

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1766815

 

[BPro32]

That's a pretty good idea.. Where do you get plastic wingnuts?

 

[nirvanaandtool]

Ah cool. Thanks for the info about it.

You are the first I've seen with a HOB overflow on a Solana. Glad to know it works.

Now to plan a sump setup too. time to plan out spending more money on the tank haha

 

[HulaDad]

That's a pretty good idea.. Where do you get plastic wingnuts?

Thanks, Lowe's has them on the screw isle, they are in the pull out drawers.

Ah cool. Thanks for the info about it.

You are the first I've seen with a HOB overflow on a Solana. Glad to know it works.

Now to plan a sump setup too. time to plan out spending more money on the tank haha

I am glad that I can help out fellow reefers, and am looking forward to some sump pics.... :thumbsup:

 

[HulaDad]

I have a question for you guys, since I left the return pump in the back of the Solana hooked up, does that make it a closed loop now... lol

 

[nirvanaandtool]

Thanks, Lowe's has them on the screw isle, they are in the pull out drawers.


I am glad that I can help out fellow reefers, and am looking forward to some sump pics.... :thumbsup:

Haha thanks.
I did some pricing today and think I will put the sump idea on hold for now. Maybe make it a spring or summer project after I get my car some much needed tires and brakes lol

Until then ill keep chaeto in the middle chamber. Maybe getting that done will be my weekend project. Woohoo for procrastination!

 

[BPro32]

What about taking existing pump in solana and having it flow directly to fuge above solana, and return draining from fuge back into display tank. Then maybe a small powerhead to the existing return line, almost similiar to a closed loop system.
I'm having a fuge built now an it will be plumbed an running as I just posted. Lights for fuge will be leds.

not sure if anyone has answered this but if you have the water overflow from the fuge back into the display you will get bubbles coming from the overflow. Better off using another pump and running the fuge back into the back chamber..

 

[MVlk]

I have my fuge gravity returning into the middle chamber. Since the water flows down into the third, any bubbles (and mine is spitting and gurgling a lot!) are not making it back to the display return. Works without any issue. I assume a pump return into the second chamber would in theory work fine as well. One of my good friends has his gravity return directly into the third chamber and he has not commented on any bubble issue.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Bubbles

Bubbles

I have my fuge gravity returning into the middle chamber. Since the water flows down into the third, any bubbles (and mine is spitting and gurgling a lot!) are not making it back to the display return. Works without any issue. I assume a pump return into the second chamber would in theory work fine as well. One of my good friends has his gravity return directly into the third chamber and he has not commented on any bubble issue.

Yep It works fine, The reason being the return back to the tank (Loc Line) Is placed low In the tank thus reducing the chance of Micro bubbles getting In the tank, I think? Plus a small piece of foam block to reduce noise may also help. I found that the Sapphire Skimmer put many tiny Micro bubbles In the tank but a piece of foam In the second chamber solved that problem instantly.
On another front I have not seen the Panda goby pair that I released Into my Solana yesterday, They were tiny in the 1/2" range and I'm hoping they are just hiding? We'll see In the days to come.:crazy1:
Bill:wave:

 

[lil_O_JJ]

Quick question about the MH light on this system. I am contemplating picking this tank up used but im not sure i like that there is only one T5 fixture available out there that is 20". I am concerned that the spill over with a 24" fixture would look bad, and that the 150w MH setup would cause crazy evaporation and have to TOP OFF a gallon a day or so? Is this accurate or are there other options out there as far as lighting (LED too expensive at this time).