Solana tank owner thread.

[Augster]

Do her (and the fish) a HUGE favor and get an ATO, trust me on this one. I have a simple float sensor on the last chamber controlling a small powerhead in a 10 gallon tank next to the solana, its on the floor and I have a cheapo ikea lamp table over the top so it hides most of the top off tank. I fill it about every other week, I have never had an issue just keep the sensor clean, I check it once in a blue moon. This has worked awesome for me for the last 2 years.

If I do go with an external ATO, I will setup an AquaController Jr and a 5.5 gallon tank on the bottom shelf of the stand.

But it appears that using a Solana framed glass top (which is what we have) will reduce evaporation significantly.

We will start with no ATO and implement a manual top off as necessary. If evaporation is more than expected even with the glass top in place, then either I will do a cheap, DIY setup but most likely go straight to the Jr in order to realize other benefits with using a dedicated aquarium controller.

 

[calistyle]

If it's that big of a concern (and is was with me), The Tunze 3155 ATO comes with a electronic water level sensor and float switch sensor. So if one fails you other covers it.

My only complaint about this is that if a snail is covering the overflow (while eating algae) it will trigger to add water, then once the snail moves from the overflow area the water level raises slightly which will sound your alarm. That said, when snails get too big, get smaller ones.

You could get a controller (Apex or Reef Keeper) and all you own 2 float switches and set it for a few minute delay. This would solve the snail issue.

 

[cody6766]

I use a dual float ato from autotopoff.com. it has a second float to stop the systemI'd the first float fails. I've had it for a few years and it has never failed with the pump running. Is has stuck a few times, but it was always stuck off

 

[chicago_animal]

Its time for a CUC for this tank. What would you recommend?

What you guys using?

 

[Augster]

What you guys using?

I think you would get better responses if you posed this question in the general reef or new aquarist forums as it's not a Solana specific question nor does the Solana impart any uniqueness that requires a Solana specific answer for CUC.

But for my gf, I will be adding a Brittle Star, several Scarlet Reef Hermits, half a dozen Blue Leg Reef Hermits, Cerith and Nassarius Snails, and a White-Striped Cleaner Shrimp.

I will go with Shallow Sand Bed in the 2-3" depth. I really want to put a DSB in but with such a small tank (20x20x20) a 4-6" of sand may appear to aesthetically "unbalance" the tank.

 

[Augster]

I am finally testing out the Solana, filled it with freshwater (with vinegar to clean off remaining coralline algae) and plugged it in. A few observations and questions:

1) The pre-filter compartment doesn't have anything in there and the waterfall sound is very loud. I've read some of the older posts where polyester batting (e.g. FiberFil or blue/white filter floss) was used.

Is this still the best recommended solution and to avoid the OEM sponge which seems to reduce flow when it gets even moderately dirty?

2) The skimmer pump doesn't seem loud to me at all. Not sure if saltwater will make a difference (make it louder) but so far I'll stick with the stock skimmer. But it does still have its original NanoBalls and sponge filter in it's "Microbubble Chamber."

Should I keep this media or is there something different that I should replace it with?

3) The second chamber is missing the Top Drip Plate. I will be using Purigen and Chemi Pure Elite in here.

Do I need to worry about implementing a top plate or not?

Is anyone using the InTank Solana 34 Media Basket, and if so, is it worth getting?

 

[calistyle]

Augster,

1) I use these http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Solana-Replacement-Foam-Pads-CU07135.htm w/ the form holder so they don't fall down.

2) Stock skimmer is fine. I upgraded to the Tunze and only noticed a minor difference.

3) You can use 1 plate. purigen on top of it, then tie the chemipure elite under it (keeping it from resting on the bottom).

I personally use the intank media basket and love it. I run filter floss on top, purigen and phosban on 2nd shelf, and chemipure elite on the bottom.

 

[calistyle]

chicago_animal,

The CUC depends on your preference. I have blue leg hermits, but in the process of taking them out. Little hustlers knocked over and then ate my clams leg and the finished it off a few days later.

That said, I have a cleaner shrimp, getting sandsifting starfish, and assortment of snails.

 

[calistyle]

Double post

 

[nova65ss]

I don't use anything in the overflow when I do it overflows the rear compartment. The noise comes and goes I do keep the water level as high as I can though which helps. The stick skimmer works well once you get it set properly. The tunze is a complete waste of money and not any better than the stock Skimmer. Do you need the media basket no but I have it and like it. Makes it easy pulling the entire thing out swspping out the media and sliding it back in no reaching in with your hands. In your case it will help if you want to run floss since the top plate is missing. I took all of the Bio balls out did not want to mess with that at all.

 

[Esage]

I don't run anything in the overflow, it seems to really slow the flow. I'm still using the stock skimmer and it seems to do a good job. I also took out all the Bio balls.

 

[Augster]

Okay, I was convinced and got the InTank Media Basket and the InTank Foam Holder for the overflow chute. I don't have any egg crate and the cost of a sheet would be more than just getting the InTank holder, nor do I have any future projects planned that would utilize egg crate.

I will be using cut-down Fluval 404/405/406 Foam Filter Blocks for the overflow chute and Morning Glory FiberFil as "filter floss" on the top shelf of the Media Basket. The overflow noise has lowered to a tolerable level from when I initially filled the tank but will still implement the foam filters, ensuring the top of the foam is at least an inch below the bottom of the overflow slots as I've read that incorrect height placement of this filter can lead to flow restriction issues. If we still experience such a significant reduction of flow then will discontinue its use.

Now one interesting observation is that the included original skimmer is making an insane amount of bubbles so I'm beginning to wonder if indeed the previous owner made a few mods to it, such as drilling additional holes on the bubbler tube and perhaps doing the mesh mod as the skimmer is very quiet in my opinion. This is in tap water/vinegar solution so I don't know if with the "heavier" saltwater this performance will remain the same or not.

 

[mumbles]

Just got back into reefing after a 2yr break here's my new solana build
I yanked out the false wall in the back and added a glass holes overflow and return.
The overflow runs into my 20l sump in the bottom of the stand which has an reef octopus 200 NW skimmer lr rubble heater and return

I just added a vortech mp10 and a lumen Max 2 pendant with a 250w radium running off a coralvue luxcore ballast



Almost 4weeks into the cycle and Rdy to get this ball rolling lol

 

[E.intheC]

Does anyone have the exact measurements of the back chambers? Specifically how much room there is between the plastic divider and the back glass? I want to see if some of the newer, smaller, skimmers will fit. Thanks.

 

[Augster]

Does anyone have the exact measurements of the back chambers? Specifically how much room there is between the plastic divider and the back glass? I want to see if some of the newer, smaller, skimmers will fit. Thanks.

Chamber 1 with overflow chute is approximately 2-7/8" while the others are 4-3/16" front-to-back. Of course, the outer chambers are trapezoids so bear that in mind.

 

[nova65ss]

Does anyone have the exact measurements of the back chambers? Specifically how much room there is between the plastic divider and the back glass? I want to see if some of the newer, smaller, skimmers will fit. Thanks.

I have had two solanas and used the stock Skimmer on one and a tunze 9002 both worked about the same. I have used the stock Skimmer modified and the tunze modified and both worked the same. About six months ago I bought a nanoreefsystems Skimmer for my solanana and it is by far the best I have used. The cup does stick up in the back but it does not bother me my light sits on top anyway. It is very easy to adjust and really produces very good skim and a lot of bubbles.

 

[E.intheC]

Chamber 1 with overflow chute is approximately 2-7/8" while the others are 4-3/16" front-to-back. Of course, the outer chambers are trapezoids so bear that in mind.

Thank you for this. It's actually larger than I thought.

 

[E.intheC]

I have had two solanas and used the stock Skimmer on one and a tunze 9002 both worked about the same. I have used the stock Skimmer modified and the tunze modified and both worked the same. About six months ago I bought a nanoreefsystems Skimmer for my solanana and it is by far the best I have used. The cup does stick up in the back but it does not bother me my light sits on top anyway. It is very easy to adjust and really produces very good skim and a lot of bubbles.

I owned a Solana a few years ago and ran the stock skimmer and the Tunze 9002. I'm looking for something that will bump up the capacity, like a small internal (in-sump, normally) skimmer, like the SRO SSS 1000 model, for example, but most are too large for the rear chamber.

I'm trying to stay away from hanging something off the back. When it comes down to it, I just don't trust HOB skimmers.

 

[nova65ss]

The nanoreefsystems fits in the first chamber just like the stock skimmer but it actually works! Look it up on google

 

[akirsonis]

I am setting up a 34 solana and am trying to decide what fish to stock it with.

So far I am definitely getting a yellow watchman goby and tiger pistol shrimp. The second fish will be some sort of cool clownfish. I plan on having a lot of euphyllia, so I figure it will be cool to have a clown host it. I am trying to decide on one final fish to balance out my list. I figure the other two are usually confined to smaller areas, so I would like something that will be very active and swim all over the tank, preferably something colorful.

So far I am thinking a six line wrasse would be cool. They are colorful and I like how they swim through all the crevices, but I have had some before so I kind of want to try something new. I love mystery wrasses, but that would probably grow too large and I would like to have shrimp. Any suggestions?