nirvanaandtool
New member
Nice setup. How much did it run you?
Solana tank owner thread.
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
nirvanaandtool
New member
Nice, hows it work in a power outage test? No problems?
sweet d
Happy,Happy,Happy!
on the paperwork i recieved from lifereef it says these are \made so even in a power outage there is no problems .
sweet d
Happy,Happy,Happy!
so a few things im noticing after ive got this setup running 1 the noise from the water falling into the sump is noisy and its gonna take some getting used to.2 i plumbed this so the water returns into chamber 2 i realized very quickly tonight that if i turn off or only the stock solana pumps quits or dies the tank overflows! in hindsight i would plumb it right to either the plumbing where the stock pump flows through or right into the tank.
here's the skimmate from the past 2 days. I'm skimming a little on the wet side right now cause the level in the back chamber is a little high.
If it's of any use to anyone, my skimmate looks much like this yet my tank is not stocked like Sonic's. I have a pair of true percs, algae blenny, and a 6 line. I would post pics, but I can't get a decent pic to save my life.
Btw Sonic....Awesome tank. I really like how the scape adds some depth (front to back) in your tank. It looks great.
Question for Solana 34 Gallon Owners
Question for Solana 34 Gallon Owners
I have spent a good deal of time reading this thread over the last couple days and would like to ask Solana owners a question: Why should I buy into the AIO Solana 34 philosophy as opposed to having a tank of the same or similar dimensions made and run a sump under it where space and aesthetics is less of an issue? Why did you choose the Solana 34 instead of going this route? It seems having plans to modify this system is almost a prerequisite for buying one. My tank will be on the first floor of our home in a high visibility area and cannot have numerous hoses and equipment hanging over the back and visible. It will be visible from the front and sides so I just don't like that look and thought the AIO would offer a clean set-up but it appears there are so many shortfalls in the design that modifying it and adding equipment off the back seems to be the norm. I'm in my 40's and have been fortunate enough to set up a larger tank that has all the usual equipment in a separate room so I guess I've been spoiled but even before that, I ran my 90G AGA with a sump under that stand and the aesthetics were very good. Really, I am trying to keep this new tank as simple as possible so I thought the Solana AIO would be a good choice but after reading this thread I am concerned that it will be unable to perform well without sacrificing the aesthetics and adding modifications to the system. Why do people end up build a sump for an AIO tank? Why not just start there if that's really what's necessary in most cases when it comes to a reef tank?
Please believe me when I say I'd love nothing more that to buy this AIO and feel it would meet my needs so maybe those that have been happy with only minor mods to the existing set-up and no additional equipment hanging over the back can share their experiences.
Thanks,
Jeff
Question for Solana 34 Gallon Owners
I have spent a good deal of time reading this thread over the last couple days and would like to ask Solana owners a question: Why should I buy into the AIO Solana 34 philosophy as opposed to having a tank of the same or similar dimensions made and run a sump under it where space and aesthetics is less of an issue? Why did you choose the Solana 34 instead of going this route? It seems having plans to modify this system is almost a prerequisite for buying one. My tank will be on the first floor of our home in a high visibility area and cannot have numerous hoses and equipment hanging over the back and visible. It will be visible from the front and sides so I just don't like that look and thought the AIO would offer a clean set-up but it appears there are so many shortfalls in the design that modifying it and adding equipment off the back seems to be the norm. I'm in my 40's and have been fortunate enough to set up a larger tank that has all the usual equipment in a separate room so I guess I've been spoiled but even before that, I ran my 90G AGA with a sump under that stand and the aesthetics were very good. Really, I am trying to keep this new tank as simple as possible so I thought the Solana AIO would be a good choice but after reading this thread I am concerned that it will be unable to perform well without sacrificing the aesthetics and adding modifications to the system. Why do people end up build a sump for an AIO tank? Why not just start there if that's really what's necessary in most cases when it comes to a reef tank?
Please believe me when I say I'd love nothing more that to buy this AIO and feel it would meet my needs so maybe those that have been happy with only minor mods to the existing set-up and no additional equipment hanging over the back can share their experiences.
Thanks,
Jeff
nirvanaandtool
New member
Cool. Thats good to hear. Lifereef seems to make quality products.
You might be better off just tearing out the back chambers and just using your overflow and then return right back into the tank. I'm looking into doing something similar in the spring.
I found a deal on a nice in-sump skimmer and it was all the push I needed to start this project. It will be worth all the work to have a sump/fuge on the tank.
My $0.02 - As a Solana owner, I say get something the same size or similar sized with a sump in the stand. The Solana is a beautiful tank but the AIO is kind of lacking. Do it right from the start and get something with a sump.
I wish I did that. When I first bought the Solana I thought the AIO was sufficient enough for a reef but lately I'm really not happy with the tank. Now I'm contemplating adding a sump to the tank just so I can run a good sized skimmer and have a decent fuge.
Last edited:
Jeff,
I have not done much in the way of mods to my tank other than the addition of an ATO because the top off bottles are a bummer. My tank is viewable from all three sides in my living room and you don't see much of anything if you manage the accessory wires and tubing properly. I settled on the solana AIO because it was my first reef. If I had to do it again, I likely would have gone with the 60XL solana with the sump. The biggest reason for that is I like the cube and the 60XL would have allowed for better equipment, particularly the skimmer. All said however I am pleased with the stock set up. I bought only the tank and stand and added an LED fixture, RKL, Top Off, and soon to add dosing pumps. The top off container is a 5.5 gal tank in the stand and all other equipment is in the stand as well. If you're struggling with the idea of modifications and a clean look, the 60XL is a nice set up. That's my $.02. There is a video of my tank in my tank thread here in the nano forums. It's a crappy video, but gives you the overall appears of the system anyway.
I have not done much in the way of mods to my tank other than the addition of an ATO because the top off bottles are a bummer. My tank is viewable from all three sides in my living room and you don't see much of anything if you manage the accessory wires and tubing properly. I settled on the solana AIO because it was my first reef. If I had to do it again, I likely would have gone with the 60XL solana with the sump. The biggest reason for that is I like the cube and the 60XL would have allowed for better equipment, particularly the skimmer. All said however I am pleased with the stock set up. I bought only the tank and stand and added an LED fixture, RKL, Top Off, and soon to add dosing pumps. The top off container is a 5.5 gal tank in the stand and all other equipment is in the stand as well. If you're struggling with the idea of modifications and a clean look, the 60XL is a nice set up. That's my $.02. There is a video of my tank in my tank thread here in the nano forums. It's a crappy video, but gives you the overall appears of the system anyway.
Fragen_unreal
New member
Just wanted to say hey to everyone.
My First post
My First post
Chiefmcfuz
New member
It's possible, many have done it, I think the GPH on the MJ is different5.
Chiefmcfuz
New member
Aside from the stock skimmer if you can get one on the forums there is the Tunze DOC 9002 that will work if you get the modified cup from another vendor or you might be able to find the sapphire aquatics skimmer used on the forums as well. Those are the 3 that I know of. I have used all 3 and I think the Sapphire is the better of the 3.
Chiefmcfuz
New member
I think In Tank still makes them over at media baskets dot com
Kweli
New member
I had to play with the return hose and make sure it was straight and tight on all connections. Something must have been twisted or loose and causing my microbubbles...
Now its gone. Skimmer can also cause microbubbles every once in a while
sedorusc
New member
So I got my tunze 9002. How do you guys get it into proper place in the back. The angled wall doesn't really help with the magnet. What do you guys also put in the media chambers. I have some live rock rubble I was going to add and some carbon.
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