Solana tank owner thread.

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Jeff,

I agree with Neil. The beauty of an All-in-One is the simplicity. I use the center compartment as a fuge and keep a bag of Chemipure elite in the back rather than running any reactors. My ATO is inside the cabinet. So other than a small chiller on the floor, which isn't that noticeable, all you see it tank, stand & light.
 
OK, if I remember right, the center chamber flows top down right? Meaning water overflows the wall between 1 and 2, down through 2 (and some flow plates), and under the wall between 2 and 3 to be returned to the tank.
If that's the case, I'd imagine folks are just putting the bottom filter plate in and setting a bunch of macro algae on it then lighting the chamber to create a refugium. Sounds OK however I might add a bunch of live rock rubble in there instead of or on top of the filter plate.

I would be happy to put the Tunze DOC 9002 skimmer with the aftermarket cube cup discussed earlier in this thread in chamber 1. However, convincing my lovely wife we need an 'upgrade' to something we've already bought is, umm... difficult.

I'll only have about two inches behind the tank to the wall so I didn't think there was enough room for any hang on equipment. I saw here that someone had put a TLF Phosban reactor in chamber 3. My concern there was will the chamber maintain a stable water level for the ato switch with the reactor pump in there as well.
 
As far as an overflow, I was thinking about using the low profile PVC DIY overflows seen on some other sites. You'd have only one U of 1/2"-1" (probably 3/4") pipe inside one of the chambers. I'll see if I have the photo somewhere. It shouldn't take up all that much room but you're right - it may not be necessary based on all the info everyone has here.
 
This is what I was thinking for an overflow. It's only one loop of pipe inside the chamber and it could go in any direction. I don't know if it's even worth it based on all the great info you've all provided here.

overflowparts.gif


diyoverflow3.jpg
 
very interesting overflow system. i worry about the air filling up the highest point of the arch. maybe need a pump to constantly suck out the air in the arch.
 
Yea, I've never seen it work. I'm thinking of setting up a dummy system with just some buckets, hose, pump and the above overflow to test it out - you know, see how it does in a power out, noise, etc..
 
Hi everyone--

I can't find my Solana manual anywhere. Please tell me there's somewhere online to get it. Or does anyone have it in PDF format? I'd be eternally grateful. Thanks!
 
So here's something new (I think)...

I ordered the Tunze Nano 9002 to replace the NOISY stock skimmer, but there is the need to cut off the magnet and a new collection cup is needed to have it in chamber #1 (where the stock skimmer resides). Moving it to chamber #2 isn't that great either, cause then you lose the filtration in that chamber (or you have to mod it to fit the first chamber etc, a pain anyway -- and I wanted to avoid cutting or altering anything permanently).


So... here's what I did and I dare say it seems to be working! In short, its a franken-skimmer... ie. half Tunze half Current USA skimmer:

I took apart the Tunze and pulled out the pump and Venturi attachment. Next, I removed the noisy stock Current USA pump from the Current USA skimmer and replaced it with the Tunze pump (which fits *much* better), then I inserted the Venturi attachment into the skimmer and joined it to the pump by pushing it in with a turkey baster (Any long item should work). I ran an air hose from the Venturi out the skimmer and into the collection cup (that's the best I've been able to come up with so far) and added an air control piece to the end of it (got it included with a Fluval 50 gallon filter that I use for our freshwater fish). The hose just sits with the air intake at the top of the collection cup in one of the corners (near the holes). With this setup, the skimmer is quiet and producing lots more bubbles.

We'll see how well it skims next...

PS. If anyone has suggestions on how to route the air hose besides going through the collection cup let me know! My initial idea was to make the hose go through the bio-balls portion of the skimmer, but I couldn't find any way to get the hose in there because of the depth :(
 
I guess I could drill the side of the skimmer and run the air hose through there. Just going to test it a few days first.
 
What recommendation would have for a new solana owner? We are picking up one thurs night.
Our plan is to run it BB, use the 150w stock MH. Adding a tunze nano skimmer, tunze ATO, vortex MP30 pump. I'm going to try to make a refuge in the back chamber somewhere.
Our tank will house mostly SPS w/ some LPS.
Anything you would recommend while we start up the system?
 
Only suggestions I have is to experiment with your flow directions to get some surface breakage for aeration, keep the rockwork away from the glass so you can get to it to clean it, try to create layers for different lighting needs with your rock, go open top because the glass top seems to hold in a lot of heat and send me all that equipment instead of using it!
 
send me all that equipment instead of using it!
Click to expand...

:lol: :lol:

experiment with your flow directions to get some surface breakage for aeration, keep the rockwork away from the glass so you can get to it to clean it, try to create layers for different lighting needs with your rock, go open top because the glass top seems to hold in a lot of heat
Click to expand...

I agree completely!!
 
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