Solana tank owner thread.
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
amheck
New member
I talked to one of the reps at UVL a few times via email and I think he said March/April. I think I'm gonna wait for some user reviews, but I wouldn't mind picking up a NEP to replace my disco ball. I haven't had it for very long but not sure I'm totally happy with the colors. Curious to see how the new 18" T5 bulbs are.
Another question for you guys about topping off the water in the Solana. I haven't invested in an ATO and usually just dump a gallon of water into the 3rd chamber when it needs it. Well, we are leaving town for a week coming up and I want to make it as simple as possible for the people watching the fish and cats. So I tried this am and dumped in a gallon into the main tank, and it filled up my 2nd chamber pretty good and started to overflow the skimmer, too. Do you guys find this to be the case also?
Another question for you guys about topping off the water in the Solana. I haven't invested in an ATO and usually just dump a gallon of water into the 3rd chamber when it needs it. Well, we are leaving town for a week coming up and I want to make it as simple as possible for the people watching the fish and cats. So I tried this am and dumped in a gallon into the main tank, and it filled up my 2nd chamber pretty good and started to overflow the skimmer, too. Do you guys find this to be the case also?
amheck
New member
The tank doesn't evaporate that much, at least from what I've observed, since I've had it. I figured, since we're only out of town for 5 nights, if I leave the tank full, the people watching should only have to add one gallon a few days later and then it should be fine until we get back. They will be by everyday for the cats and to feed the fish, but I don't think they'll need to add water everyday.
I've got a ReefKeeper lite coming next week to mess around with to control everything. I don't know that I'll have enough time (and $$) to set up an ATO before we leave unfortunately.
For those of you without an ATO, how are you handling the evaporation?
I've got a ReefKeeper lite coming next week to mess around with to control everything. I don't know that I'll have enough time (and $$) to set up an ATO before we leave unfortunately.
For those of you without an ATO, how are you handling the evaporation?
Chiefmcfuz
New member
Yes, new bulbs. No hunting for link... Just hit my homepage link.
Are they available for sale yet?
Chiefmcfuz
New member
That stinks! I just bought new bulbs!
amheck
New member
hey guys with the Tunze 9002 in the system, does the magnet come already attached, or when you get a new skimmer, can you chose to mount it to the long side or the short side?
I picked up a used one today and its mounted on the short side. Since there's no glass on the left side of the first chamber, so that just leaves putting the magnet in the 2nd chamber, which I'm not sure will work.
Any advice would be much appreciated!
I picked up a used one today and its mounted on the short side. Since there's no glass on the left side of the first chamber, so that just leaves putting the magnet in the 2nd chamber, which I'm not sure will work.
Any advice would be much appreciated!
DheereCrossing
New member
Really, I suppose you could put the magnet in the 2nd chamber, it's sealed. However, I just sliced the magnet off the skimmer body with my bandsaw and then used 2 part, 5 minute epoxy to cover any exposed metal spots and glue the magnet back to the long side about 1/3 down from the top.
amheck
New member
Thanks for the reply DC. I'll work to try and remove the magnet. Seems the custom cups are OOS anyway, so I have a little time.
Does it matter which way the skimmer faces when in chamber 1? i.e. cup side to the left of the tank vs towards chamber 2? Any other tips you have would be much appreciated.
Does it matter which way the skimmer faces when in chamber 1? i.e. cup side to the left of the tank vs towards chamber 2? Any other tips you have would be much appreciated.
DheereCrossing
New member
I don't think it makes a difference which way you turn it. The intake is at the bottom and the outlets on the short side of the skimmer body. I'd just put the magnet on the side that allows the power cord to route the easiest and to also allow you access to the adjustment screw the easiest and with the most fine control leverage.
I've also found the optimum water depth to be about 1/2" under the marked water line on the skimmer body.
I've also found the optimum water depth to be about 1/2" under the marked water line on the skimmer body.
poolkeeper1
New member
Save money
Save money
Do It, In the end your gonna get one so why waste your money on pumps that will decrease In value as soon as you open the box. If you just buy the best from the start you actually are saving money In the long run. Plus the flow will be unsurpassed by anything but Tunze's which are In the same price range anyway, Plus this logic worked on my better half so Good luck...
Bill:dance:
Save money
Do It, In the end your gonna get one so why waste your money on pumps that will decrease In value as soon as you open the box. If you just buy the best from the start you actually are saving money In the long run. Plus the flow will be unsurpassed by anything but Tunze's which are In the same price range anyway, Plus this logic worked on my better half so Good luck...
Bill:dance:
poolkeeper1
New member
Best AIO
Best AIO
Well Solana's are considered the best AIO If you want to look at It that way. The only other tank that would be better would be a Elos IMO. So you didn't really start In the basement so to speak hehehehe. It's only money If you don't spend It your kids will!
Bill:dance:
Best AIO
If I were buying the best from the start, I wouldn't have bought an AIO, I would have some custom-built monstrosity with a sump.
Well Solana's are considered the best AIO If you want to look at It that way. The only other tank that would be better would be a Elos IMO. So you didn't really start In the basement so to speak hehehehe. It's only money If you don't spend It your kids will!
Bill:dance:
I am happy with the Solana, I'm just saying I don't have a cadillac budget.
Especially with Canadian prices... I just looked around, and I don't think I can do better than $280 after shipping and taxes for an MP10.
Koralias, on the other hand, are a dime a dozen in the classifieds.
Especially with Canadian prices... I just looked around, and I don't think I can do better than $280 after shipping and taxes for an MP10.
Koralias, on the other hand, are a dime a dozen in the classifieds.
nirvanaandtool
New member
I'm using one modded Tunze 6025 powerhead. Was using 2 but I took one out cause my Frogspawn wasnt too happy with the super turbulent flow. I may supplement flow with a Koralia nano though soon or save for a MP20 sometime soon.
They are close to the best in the middle price range for AIO's. I think the Red Sea Max closely competes with the Solana though. The RSM seems like its easier to put a HOB overflow on though but they are both good tanks.
ELOS definitely outcompetes the Solana but for a good bit more. Its in a league of its own.
I have a pretty large BTA in my Solana, it sits at the top of the rock work in prime real estate (of course that is where it decided to stay put after roaming about). I tried to get it to be happy in the lower left corner in the front to leave the rock work for some corals...no go. Unfortunately my clowns have virtually ignored it for 6 months. I figure some day they will dive in... I am okay with it as this tank is just for zoos, the RBTA, the clowns, and whatever other LPS I throw in over time.
The clone RBTA from the nanoreef is in my SPS 120g cube. It did the same thing, roamed to the top of the rock work and took the nicest prime real estate as well. Think hard before you do it
. If my RBTA in the SPS tank ever starts moving I will take it out and get a different anemone for my clowns in that tank, something that stays more in the sand...or maybe none at all. The Picasso Clowns in the SPS tank took 7 months to dive in but now are completely enraptured with their RBTA.
amheck
New member
Just chiming on on the MP10. I too, never thought I'd spend close to $200 on a powerhead. But, that being said, I see so many people happy with them and I think the various flow patterns can really be a plus for the tank? Can you get buy with a couple smaller Tunze's or Koralia's or Maxijets? Sure. Would the mp10 be nicer? Probably so.
The flow patters, plus the fact that it hardly takes up any room in the already small tank, i think I'm probably jumping in and getting one.
The flow patters, plus the fact that it hardly takes up any room in the already small tank, i think I'm probably jumping in and getting one.
roushracer
New member
Thought I'd post this here too.
Here are some updated pics of my Solana at about 2 months old.
The rose bubble highest up is actually a quad color, but it didn't show well in the pics. It has swirls of green, pink, red and orange. The bright rose bubble in the middle is the newest addition, picked it up for $25 at Reefstock.
Enjoy!
Here are some updated pics of my Solana at about 2 months old.
The rose bubble highest up is actually a quad color, but it didn't show well in the pics. It has swirls of green, pink, red and orange. The bright rose bubble in the middle is the newest addition, picked it up for $25 at Reefstock.
Enjoy!
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