Solana tank owner thread.
- Thread starter mile sq. reefer
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TriggerHappyDude
New member
I haven't seen any HOB (Hang on Back) skimmer pics yet.
I don't have my tank setup yet, but researching skimmers to replace the stock one, have you seen this one?
http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/02/06/sapphire-aquatics-outs-solanacardiff-nano-skimmer/
Here it is to purchase:
http://sapphireaquatics.com/onlines...roducts_id=3&zenid=1evv4jjbnll3np9abj8s4s35a3
Its apparently made for the Solana?
I've also heard good things about the Tunze 9002.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...mers-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html
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TriggerHappyDude
New member
I found a guy on another web site that just ordered one, no comment from him yet either, not sure, but they may be too close to the release date for anyone to know?
I've heard the Tunze 9002 fits in the back nicely too...?
I've heard the Tunze 9002 fits in the back nicely too...?
I think you have to "modify" the magnet holder that's attached to it but that's about it - the only other thing I can think of is that the skimmer cup doesn't fit into the compartment - a guy named Stevie T (?) or something used to make modified cups for it though, don't know if he still does.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
Ahhh, in that case, the Sapphire looks even better. We just need some feedback on how they perform.
I have a Tunze 9002 and am very happy with it. I had to remove the magnet and superglued it to the other side. I'm not the most "handy" guy and it took about 15 minutes (not including the fact that I couldn't find my superglue and had to run to the store to get more). Also used a custom box from that stevieT guy which works great. Cost about $30 and he made it about a month ago. I get great skimmate and it is very quiet. Never tried the stock skimmer.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
I am not keen on making mods to brand new equipment, so I'll stick with finding something that fits right, no mods...like the Sapphire skimmer.
Delsfishes
Member
Yeah, the back has a small cpr fuge which is hooked up middle and 3rd chamber. I purchased the sapphire skimmer but had to sell it due to the fact that it did not work with my fuge. The pump on the sapphire skimmer hits the middle drain fitting so I had the choice of a better skimmer or a hob fuge. I went with the fuge. I wish sapphire made the pump on the bottom because I really like the skimmer now I'm going to go with the tunze 9002. I will post more pics later.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
So, for our Solana tanks, I'm reading more and more people who are doing a fuge in the back chamber(s), can anyone explain the reason for this? Does a skimmer and fuge just give extra quality to the water? If you were to not do one or the other which one is the most/least important of the two?
zooty
Fish Warden
The stock skimmer is not as bad as this thread may lead one to believe.
I have been using it with no issues so far (noise, micro-bubbles, etc). We wanted a system a little simpler than our big one with few if any mods. I would try it before buying the Tunze to see if it works for you.
My $0.02
People like fuges because they provide an extra avenue for nutrient export (i.e. phosphate if you have macro in there, nitrates with DSBs (deep sand beds) and live rock), provide algae control, add a breeding place for 'pods which can be an added food source for you tank, and helps bring stability to those parameters listed above (NO3 and PO4) as well as providing a buffer for daily pH swings when run on a 24/7 or reverse lighting cycle than that of your display tank. (In short, during the day, photosynthesis is occuring thus consuming dissolved C02; at night the process is halted leaving more dissolved CO2 in the water which in turn raises the acidity of your water (lower ph = more acidic) because of the presence of more carbonate ions)
I believe that a skimmer is more important because it pulls out dissolved organics (poopie) before they have a chance to degrade into nitrates which is a major factor in your ability to keep corals/other invertebrates. Fish are able to tolerate higher nitrate levels than inverts. Refugiums are great too for all the reasons listed above; to add a little bit to the algae control reason, the macro algae competes with so-called "nuisance" algae in the display tank thus inhibiting to an extent the growth of hair algae and the like.
I want a refugium. I want a quieter skimmer; the stock skimmer is entirely too loud for me. I have been debating the following since I don't want to mess with the complexities/potential for failure of overflows, plus I just don't have enough space around my tank:
1. Buy a HOB skimmer and turn the first/second compartments into a refugium - I like how some people have mounted a light to the back glass to hide another component out of sight.
2. Buy a HOB refugium and upgrade the skimmer in one of the compartments.
I'm still not sure which route I am going to take, which is why I am paying close attention to the reviews of the different equipment suggested in this thread.
imcosmokramer
New member
How many of you are using the stock stand? Any reason not to do it?
Hooked4life
New member
do you think that's because it's on 4 legs rather than a solid base?
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