Solana tank owner thread.

Sweet!! Keep us updated on the Ecoxotic lights. I almost went with them instead of the Aqua Illumination Sol Blues. You should be able to get plenty of light for a clam, even on the sand bed. LED put out monster par readings from what I understand. Good luck!
 
I reconfigured my solana into a frag tank. I currently have my Duncan and a few frags in it. The light is an old/cheap Odyssea 150 watt MH system. I plan to change it to a radium 250 watt on icecap ballast once I get a new reflector.

I am thinking about getting a liter meter 3 and exchanging water (10 to 15 gallons per day) with the 220 gallon tank which is on the other side of the room. I am hoping to decrease the need for a better skimmer and the need to add calcium reactor.

IMG_0299.jpg
 
Thanks for the comments. I'll keep you posted how everything turns out.

Docs911-interesting frag tank. Keep us posted on how it works out.
 
hey guys, just wanted to check in and see if anyone was using a Piranha magnet cleaner for their Solana. This appears to be the right one for the size of the tank, but I just wanted to make sure the magnet was not too strong or too weak for the tank.
 
I use Two Little Fishies NanoMag for both my Solana and Ecoxotic tanks. Strong magnets w very low profile for getting past tight rock work.
 
So I must say I am very impressed w the stock ecoxotic skimmer. On the Solana we automatically replaced stock skimmer w a Tunze skimmer. I have to say the ecoxotic skimmer is creating more skimmate in the collection cup than the Tunze. I'm thinking about adding the Solana stock skimmer to see how it works.
Not saying I'm not happy w Tunze but was very impressed w how well the stock skimmer works. Best part I don't think I need to invest in another skimmer for the ecoxotic. ;-)
 
So I must say I am very impressed w the stock ecoxotic skimmer. On the Solana we automatically replaced stock skimmer w a Tunze skimmer. I have to say the ecoxotic skimmer is creating more skimmate in the collection cup than the Tunze. I'm thinking about adding the Solana stock skimmer to see how it works.
Not saying I'm not happy w Tunze but was very impressed w how well the stock skimmer works. Best part I don't think I need to invest in another skimmer for the ecoxotic. ;-)
 
Finally got the canopy done and here are the pics of the set up!


<a href="http://s1190.photobucket.com/albums/z455/patm09/?action=view&current=Tank2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z455/patm09/Tank2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1190.photobucket.com/albums/z455/patm09/?action=view&current=Tank1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z455/patm09/Tank1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

So far things have been going alright in the tank, only issue is since I have added the 2 clown fish my ammonia has been slightly detectable as well as nitrites have jumped a bit. Doing 5g water changes wkly....hoping the ammonia goes down so I can add another fish soon!!

Patience is the hardest thing to get used to in this hobby for sure.
 
cfmx, I wish I had the talents to do that. My father in law is a general contractor and woodworking is his specialty. He did it for me.
 
Just Join The Club!

Just Join The Club!

Hello Team Reef Central,

I finally have my first reef tank. I picked up a used Solana w/ T5 lighting (ATI bulbs; 2 blue, 1 purple, 1 white), a heater, 40 lbs of rock (dry since September).

I'm waiting for the stand to come in (next Tuesday), so I'm in the process of cleaning it w/ vinegar and cleaning the stock equipment. (considering propeller mod for stock skimmer).

I wanted to ask the Solana community for a hand/tips. I've order a handful of things and want to make sure I'm not missing anything important. I do plan on upgrading skimmer and ATO down the road, but figured for the first few months that wouldn't be important.

Here's a list of what I ordered today:
1 - MarineDepot.com Exclusive ReefKeeper Lite + SL1 Expansion Unit w/ FREE pH Probe

1 - Current USA TrueLumen 10 Inch 4 x 453nm Blue Aquatic LED Strip

2 - BJ Oceanstream Circulation Pump/Powerhead 500 gph

1 - Taam Rio+ 1400 Powerhead/Pump UL - to replace return pump

1 - Solana 34 Media Basket (IN Tank) - chamber 2

1 - Solana 34 Foam Holder (IN Tank)

1 - Solana Replacement Glass Supports

1 - inTank Diamond Polished Algae Scraper (free)

1 - Kent Marine Proscraper Metal L, 24 Inches

1 - Two Little Fishies NanoMag Magnetic Glass Cleaning Device

3 - PolyFilter / Poly Filter Floss

3 - Solana Replacement Foam Pads

2 - 3PACK VALUE PACK - POLY FILTER FLOSS

1 - Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Reef Master Test Kit

2 - Chemi-Pure Elite 6.5oz Bag

2 - Purigen 100mL in Bag

I plan on getting sand and some actual live rock next week from LFS.

I've read all over numerous forums, but would love to hear any feedback or tips!

Thanks!
 
Calistyle, welcome to the reef world! I am pretty new myself. Sounds like you got yourself a very nice set up coming along. Good choice with going with In-Tank media basket and already thinking about upgrading the skimmer. I put a Aqua C Remora HOB skimmer on mine. Worked out pretty well so far. Keep us updated!
 
return pump question

return pump question

thanks patm09!

I have a few question for you guys:


  • I bought a stronger return pump: TAAM RIO+ 1400 POWERHEAD/PUMP UL (420 GPH) -= and wanted to know if that is going to be too strong?


  • Also, I have about 30 lbs of rock (dry for a few months, per seller), will adding some live rock/sand from LFS be enough to seed (my be saying that wrong), the dry rock I'll have in there?


  • Lastly, while cycling my tank, I've heard some say to run the skimmer and others say not too...thoughts?

DISCLAIMER: I'm new to this hobby and will ask question that I should already know. I apologize in advance.
 
Calistyle, you're only slightly increasing the flow rate. It won't be a problem. But what's the problem with the stock pump?
 
Hi all,

So I have been chatting in PM with another solana owner about some of the mods I have done to my tank. I figured they may be of help/interest to others. So here goes...

Basically, I wanted to run the strongest skimmer I could find that would sit internally. I may have chosen incorrectly, but I am happy with the results I am getting.

  1. Drained the tank, and put contents in rubbermaids
  2. Used a dremel to try and remove the overflow box channel
  3. Realized my stupidity once plastic shavings filled sump
  4. Switched to a hot knife to cut through the plastic
  5. The channel is glued to the dividing wall, and the glass back. Once you pry up an edge you can [carefully] peel it away.
  6. Did the same for the dividing wall in the sump, between chambers one and two.
  7. Used a razor blade to clean up glass of glue residue, etc
  8. Cleaned out sump of crud
  9. Squeezed in a Bubble Magus NAC3+ skimmer
  10. Pulled it out again, and this time taped the pump against the skimmer body
  11. squeezed it back in.
  12. Slid a TLF 150 reactor next to it for bio-pellets, pointing drain to skimmer input
  13. plumbed a mj1200 for the display return
  14. plumbed a rio pump (I forget which type) into the pellet reactor.
  15. filled the tank again with water

OK so, at this point, I have everything going well. The skimmer collection cup sits just on the lip of the dividing wall. It is breaking in nicely, and I am able to squeeze in two float switches in the back to ensure the water level remains constant. However, that water level is now about four or five inches lower than the display.

The first solution was to throw in a wad of floss. That helped to stop the splashing sound. I am keen to remove as much mechanical filtration as possible though, so that had to go.

The fix was to cut up a bit of sandwich bag, and using a couple of little strips of gorilla tape glue it to the back of the drain gates. Instant silence, and no drop in return flow speed.

As I had it going unused, I threw a bag of Chemi Pure Elite on top of reactor. It is getting some flow. It may help. It is not hurting.

I have since been on a mission to rid my tank of sand. Getting the last few grains to go bare-bottom is infuriating. As a result my display tank looks a bit poor. Sorry no FTS. You can see three pics of the skimmer and reactor.

As for performance. The NAC5e was better. That thing was a beast. It was huge though. I still have it. I am going to keep it close-by just in case.

I like the current setup better. I'd say the smaller skimmer is maybe 70 or 80 percent as good as the nac5e. Which is still miles better than the tunze 9002.

I hope this has been of some help and interest to whoever has read this far. Any other questions just shout.

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