Solana tank owner thread.

[MammothReefer]

Hmm ok cool how are you like the brs reactor was thinking of getting one but I like the tlf reactor since i can hang it on the back of the tank. Also are you running carbon? I actually have to clean out scrub my skimmer cup every four to five days from all the gunk it pulls out

BRS reactor works great, I got the dual chamber one right now I have pellets in one chamber, gfo in another, and I have carbon in a bag in the middle chamber. Eventually I hope to remove the gfo, move the carbon to the second chamber. I didn't want to go the hob route, just keep the back of the tank somewhat clean, although that plan seems to be escaping me. I mounted the brs to the side of the stand as high as I could, although I may at some point move it inside the stand to hide it. I just wanted to be able to easily monitor it when I first set it up, and I wasn't sure if I would get enough flow from the 1200 to fluidize the pellets if they were lower inside the stand. Which I am now finding I had to cut the flow on the maxi jet 1200 to about 1/2 to get a good slow tumble so I could have moved it below.

I would however like to switch out the foam pads with the plastic things you see alot of people use, just can't find them locally and was to impatient to to order them and wait to set it up.

 

[Pudge957]

Ok so this is definitely going to be a project for the weekend i'm going to get working on.

 

[Nereaga]

I'm joining the club.... AGAIN! This time for good.... Should be within a week!

 

[MedRed]

I'm joining the club again as well. I'm selling my 34 gallon and in the process of setting up a 60 XL

 

[sweet d]

im looking to add more flow in my solana and am looking at a koralia evo 1400 i have the stock return pump and a koralia nano and a evo nano ill remove the old nano in place of the 1400 anyone have experiance with a 1400 in their solana? is this too much flow or will it be fine ? thanbks for the info dave.

 

[creefer01]

I'm ready to join the Solana club! Yesterday I purchased a 34g system from the lfs. Got a decent deal I think. It had been there on the floor for a while. I purchased it without a light fixture. Here are my thoughts so far.

1. Silicone, particularly at the back wall, is pretty rough. I know it will be hidden by the substrate, but it looks rough.
2. The solana stand is not the greatest however it will work nicely with our espresso colored furniture and keeps the wife happy.
3. Lighting....man am I confused here. With so many lighting options available and few, other than LED, that satisfy the 20" square dimensions, I am really not sure what to do with this and welcome suggestions / recommendations.

Related to the above, stocking plans will be mostly LPS, some softies, and later, a few SPS if I can achieve success with the others. Fish stock will likely be a BSJ and a pair of clowns, specifics TBD. I have not started the tank yet. It will likely be another 2 weeks before I put sand and LR in. I'll be ordering the RO/DI and some powerhead(s) this week. I expect to purchase LR and sand at the lfs who has some really nice premium LR covered in coraline. So, with the wealth of knowledge here related to these systems and reefing in general, I welcome any comments and/or recommendations.

I am a bit of a noob to reefing. I have been reading and following forms for the last year and a half. I have plenty of FW experience and only a little SW experience with fish only.

Thanks.

 

[creefer01]

I'm ready to join the Solana club! Yesterday I purchased a 34g system from the lfs. Got a decent deal I think. It had been there on the floor for a while. I purchased it without a light fixture. Here are my thoughts so far.

1. Silicone, particularly at the back wall, is pretty rough. I know it will be hidden by the substrate, but it looks rough.
2. The solana stand is not the greatest however it will work nicely with our espresso colored furniture and keeps the wife happy.
3. Lighting....man am I confused here. With so many lighting options available and few, other than LED, that satisfy the 20" square dimensions, I am really not sure what to do with this and welcome suggestions / recommendations.

Related to the above, stocking plans will be mostly LPS, some softies, and later, a few SPS if I can achieve success with the others. Fish stock will likely be a BSJ and a pair of clowns, specifics TBD. I have not started the tank yet. It will likely be another 2 weeks before I put sand and LR in. I'll be ordering the RO/DI and some powerhead(s) this week. I expect to purchase LR and sand at the lfs who has some really nice premium LR covered in coraline. So, with the wealth of knowledge here related to these systems and reefing in general, I welcome any comments and/or recommendations.

I am a bit of a noob to reefing. I have been reading and following forms for the last year and a half. I have plenty of FW experience and only a little SW experience with fish only.

Thanks.

 

[MammothReefer]

Is it just me or does the solana starphire glass scratch really easy. I consider myself very careful always make sure there is no sand in the mag ect ect.. but I swear every time I go to clean something more then a light coat of algae off the glass, or try to get in and clean the corners I scratch the tank. It's getting kinda ridiculous at this point. What size magfloat are you guys using? Hmm I wondering if my medium mag float is to strong now.

 

[Jeff_NJ]

Is it just me or does the solana starphire glass scratch really easy. I consider myself very careful always make sure there is no sand in the mag ect ect.. but I swear every time I go to clean something more then a light coat of algae off the glass, or try to get in and clean the corners I scratch the tank. It's getting kinda ridiculous at this point. What size magfloat are you guys using? Hmm I wondering if my medium mag float is to strong now.

God I hope this is not the case! I have severe OCD when it comes to scratches in glass. I am really hoping that bare bottom will help reduce the possibility of scratches.

My tank got wet this past Saturday after sitting for a month while my rock cooked. That Tunze skimmer mod is FANTASTIC. Before the mod, I had a buyers remorse, but now... just wow.

Curious as to how many Solana owners have two MP10's. I just picked up a second one and wonder what's the best idea for placement. Do you think one on each side, 1 high, 1 low? Both on same side? They are wireless enabled and will be communicating with each other. I am leaning toward my first thought which is one on each side, one high one low. Any feedback would be appreciated!

/Jeff

 

[MammothReefer]

God I hope this is not the case! I have severe OCD when it comes to scratches in glass. I am really hoping that bare bottom will help reduce the possibility of scratches.

My tank got wet this past Saturday after sitting for a month while my rock cooked. That Tunze skimmer mod is FANTASTIC. Before the mod, I had a buyers remorse, but now... just wow.

Curious as to how many Solana owners have two MP10's. I just picked up a second one and wonder what's the best idea for placement. Do you think one on each side, 1 high, 1 low? Both on same side? They are wireless enabled and will be communicating with each other. I am leaning toward my first thought which is one on each side, one high one low. Any feedback would be appreciated!

/Jeff

Which mod did you do, there seems to be a couple that keep popping up when searching for 9002 skimmer mod.

 

[Jeff_NJ]

Which mod did you do, there seems to be a couple that keep popping up when searching for 9002 skimmer mod.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t80cE7eBiHg

Tunze 9002 Airline mod.

As posted by Chiefmcfuz in post 1356.

I used the air line that came with the stock solana skimmer and an air valve from a maxijet. It really made worlds of difference.

What other mods do you know of?

On a bad note - My Ecoxotic Panorama light came with a 'free' 453nm stunner strip that seems to be malfunctioning. I am not sure if it's the power supply or the LED itself. I suppose I will be able to report on Ecoxotic's Customer Service very soon :worried:.

I should really start taking some pictures

/Jeff

 

[MammothReefer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t80cE7eBiHg

Tunze 9002 Airline mod.

As posted by Chiefmcfuz in post 1356.

I used the air line that came with the stock solana skimmer and an air valve from a maxijet. It really made worlds of difference.

What other mods do you know of?

On a bad note - My Ecoxotic Panorama light came with a 'free' 453nm stunner strip that seems to be malfunctioning. I am not sure if it's the power supply or the LED itself. I suppose I will be able to report on Ecoxotic's Customer Service very soon :worried:.

I should really start taking some pictures

/Jeff

Hmm, did it help with performance (increased air?) or just allow greater adjust ability. In terms of other mods there is needle wheel mods, propeller mods, shorting up the air line, switching the mag. Think I came across a few others.

 

[Jeff_NJ]

Hmm, did it help with performance (increased air?) or just allow greater adjust ability. In terms of other mods there is needle wheel mods, propeller mods, shorting up the air line, switching the mag. Think I came across a few others.

Well - First thing I did was shorten the airline in stock form. The bottom or top of the skimmer were popping off constantly. It was very annoying. The shortened airline seemed to fix that.

After a few days of use, and understanding that it can take time for the skimmer to break in, I found that the skimmers bubble production was less than optimal, even with the valve all the way open.

Also, I fit the skimmer in chamber one of my Solana. I found it nearly impossible to adjust the skimmer as the valve was between the false wall and the sump divider. I had to remove the collection cup (no biggie really) and hope that I could get a turn on the screw.

With this mod, I get a HUGE amount of *accessible* adjustability as well as significantly increased air intake. It did not disappoint. Between yesterday and today I was able to tune it from a thick foam to a wet skimmate. I plan on running somewhere in the middle and am confident that this mod will allow me to do that.

/Jeff

 

[Wind]

I have a tank like the first page and needed some help w/ lighting. I'm planning on hanging a pendant from the outside. Would like some help please?

Thanks.

 

[Jeff_NJ]

Just wondering if someone could tell me why people replace the stock return pump?

It seems that the common choices are the Maxijet 600's and 900's which are advertised with significantly less flow than the stock pump.

I have noticed that the stock return pump produces a decently loud hum.... That makes me consider changing it out. Just wondering if there is a reason beyond noise that it's done.

/Jeff

 

[Nereaga]

I also believe the stock pumps run on the hot side. I will be using the MJ1200 for the return. Getting my Solana on Sunday! Round two with this tank, miss it too much...

Brad

 

[navychief]

Wow. Guess I need to mark this thread as a favorite. Just bought the XL60 2 months ago.

 

[navychief]

God I hope this is not the case! I have severe OCD when it comes to scratches in glass. I am really hoping that bare bottom will help reduce the possibility of scratches.

My tank got wet this past Saturday after sitting for a month while my rock cooked. That Tunze skimmer mod is FANTASTIC. Before the mod, I had a buyers remorse, but now... just wow.

Curious as to how many Solana owners have two MP10's. I just picked up a second one and wonder what's the best idea for placement. Do you think one on each side, 1 high, 1 low? Both on same side? They are wireless enabled and will be communicating with each other. I am leaning toward my first thought which is one on each side, one high one low. Any feedback would be appreciated!

/Jeff

Severe OCD LMAO!

 

[Jeff_NJ]

I also believe the stock pumps run on the hot side. I will be using the MJ1200 for the return. Getting my Solana on Sunday! Round two with this tank, miss it too much...

Brad

Right now my tank stays at 77 degrees with everything running and the lights on. I love the LED for that.

Anyone know offhand what the wattage draw is on the stock pump? I was trying to shine a flashlight in the third chamber to see, but unfortunately I have too much stuff in the way!

Yes, I am trying to justify in my own head that it's a good idea to replace that perfectly fine pump.. just like I did the skimmer.

Good luck with Round 2 - I am afraid to ask what happened with Round 1 :beer:

 

[navychief]

Right now my tank stays at 77 degrees with everything running and the lights on. I love the LED for that.

Anyone know offhand what the wattage draw is on the stock pump? I was trying to shine a flashlight in the third chamber to see, but unfortunately I have too much stuff in the way!

Yes, I am trying to justify in my own head that it's a good idea to replace that perfectly fine pump.. just like I did the skimmer.

Good luck with Round 2 - I am afraid to ask what happened with Round 1 :beer:

I was battling higher than i liked temps with my giesemann and quiet one pump. not to forget to mention the pump on my RS-100 and a small Rio for the TLF.