Solana tank owner thread.

calistyle said:
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.
Click to expand...


First, the return pump is probably just fine. For flow I added an MP10. Secondly yes adding live rock to dead rock will eventually make it live, but it is going to take awhile. I would cycle your tank with a cocktail shrimp and just let it rot in your tank. Thats the best way to develop the bacteria in your new tank. Lastly you can definitely run your skimmer during your cycle, it wont hurt anything its just not necessary. Up to you!

Hope things are well,

Patrick
 
pompeyjohn, thats insane!! In an awesome way of course! My only curiosity is why not use an overflow box and run and in stand sump? I have thought about that but am kinda scared to do so.
 
patm09 said:
pompeyjohn, thats insane!! In an awesome way of course! My only curiosity is why not use an overflow box and run and in stand sump? I have thought about that but am kinda scared to do so.
Click to expand...

This is actually my second solana; I had the first one drilled. Overflow in the center, and a return at each corner. It was awesome. The extra space made aqua-scaping a delight. The problem was the sump. With the stock stand you have at the most 18x18 to work with. I ended up using an old 12g nanocube. Try as I might could not make the sump silent. The sound of water falling drove my wife crazy. Happy wife equals happy life. So the sump setup had to go. I sold the drilled tank to a local reefer and found another solana cheap.

If I could make the sump silent, I'd be tempted to do an external overflow box using the dropped lip. A sort of coast-to-coast style.
 
pompeyjohn said:
This is actually my second solana; I had the first one drilled. Overflow in the center, and a return at each corner. It was awesome. The extra space made aqua-scaping a delight. The problem was the sump. With the stock stand you have at the most 18x18 to work with. I ended up using an old 12g nanocube. Try as I might could not make the sump silent. The sound of water falling drove my wife crazy. Happy wife equals happy life. So the sump setup had to go. I sold the drilled tank to a local reefer and found another solana cheap.

If I could make the sump silent, I'd be tempted to do an external overflow box using the dropped lip. A sort of coast-to-coast style.
Click to expand...

I have contemplated this very idea for quite some time. My concern is that in doing this, all livestock needs a temporary home, not ideal but not terrible. The other issue is removal of the false wall and maintaining the integrity of the silicone. I'm a bit worried about damaging it. Then, as you mention, the stand is a limiting factor in making this work well. The 18" x 18" footprint is barely large enough for a skimmer and return section. In my case, I need to have an ATO tank under the stand as well and I keep coming to the conclusion that there's no good way to do this with the stock stand.

I have also considered building a stand to have an adequately sized sump and some leftover space, but if I do that....well....therein lies the excuse to upgrade!
 
Solona

Solona

As far as I know, Marine Depot still sells the Solona. There are different sizes. That is where I bought mine. Great tank.
 
Chiefmcfuz said:
Looking for a suggestion on a skimmer. Have tried the tunze, Sapphire and stock. Any other options?
Click to expand...

Thats pretty much it for drop-ins, you could get a remora but its going to stick up past the tank, or you could go to sump...

I tried the tunze but got same results with the stocker and thats really all you need if you keep up with your water changes, unless you have a crazy high bioload.
 
Im looking at picking the 34 gallon up from a fellow reefer and i have a question on what light to go with. He is currently using this 150watt light:

http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife...endants-Coralife-ES53601-FILTFIMHPDDE-vi.html

But im not a big fan of it as i have used one before on an old tank. I also can pick up a 250w e-ballast,mogul reflector,wiring and 2 month old 20k bulb and make a floating cannopy. Which way would you go, is 250 too much light/heat? both routes would cost me the same...
 
Im looking at picking the 34 gallon up from a fellow reefer and i have a question on what light to go with. He is currently using this 150watt light:

http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife...endants-Coralife-ES53601-FILTFIMHPDDE-vi.html

But im not a big fan of it as i have used one before on an old tank. I also can pick up a 250w e-ballast,mogul reflector,wiring and 2 month old 20k bulb and make a floating cannopy. Which way would you go, is 250 too much light/heat? both routes would cost me the same...
 
For the price now the ai sol or the sol nano is a great fit. It may be a bit of an initial cost but in the long run it will save money on bulbs and electricity.
 
Go with the 250, I think 150 is not enough for this tank. I have a coralife pro 250 and its perfect, I can grow whatever I want. Heat might be an issue if you keep your house on the warmer side, I added one of those quad clip-on fans that turn on with the halides.
 
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