If its growing the lights might be enough... What are your water parameters? You can have a 1000W light over it but if the water parameter is not correct you'll just brown and bleach out the corals... Check Ca, Mg, and Alk. Also might want to try to keep phosphate and nitrates in check with some media as well.
Solana tank owner thread.
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Mykel Obvious
New member
As b16drag said, water parameters are as important as light... Are you dosing for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium? If not, then I suggest a visit to www.twopartsolution.com is in order. If these three are out of whack, then you will definitely see growth slow or stop in the SPS. All other tank parameters need to be as near perfect as possible. Several things can stall SPS growth, but if you don't give it something to build the skeletal material with, then it can't grow. And, no, even weekly water changes can't keep up long term.
AquatiCoug
New member
I keep an eye on my params.
Temp 78-80 (I know, a little high)
CA 450 (Salifert)
Dkh 10 (Tropic marin)
Sal 1.026 (reef crystals, refractometer)
ph 7.8 (Pinpoint monitor)
light 150W HQI 7hrs
DIY fuge in center compartment
Just started dosing 2 part B-ionic
I dont regularly check mg or po4, every two weeks or so. But when I do the mg is 1240+ and I have yet to get a reading on Po4. (both Red Sea)
Quick question, I have never had an issue with Ca levels, just Alk. After dosing two days dkh is up from 8 to 10. Do I have to dose both parts of the 2 part, or can I just dose the Alk portion? I do dose both now, just wonderin'?
Thanks for the help.
Temp 78-80 (I know, a little high)
CA 450 (Salifert)
Dkh 10 (Tropic marin)
Sal 1.026 (reef crystals, refractometer)
ph 7.8 (Pinpoint monitor)
light 150W HQI 7hrs
DIY fuge in center compartment
Just started dosing 2 part B-ionic
I dont regularly check mg or po4, every two weeks or so. But when I do the mg is 1240+ and I have yet to get a reading on Po4. (both Red Sea)
Quick question, I have never had an issue with Ca levels, just Alk. After dosing two days dkh is up from 8 to 10. Do I have to dose both parts of the 2 part, or can I just dose the Alk portion? I do dose both now, just wonderin'?
Thanks for the help.
Mykel Obvious
New member
Actually, I run my tank from 80-84 F so I wouldn't say your tank is too warm.
pH is a little lower that I would like to see it... but with regular balanced dosing, that should come up a little I think
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php
I'd read the following to help you get a better understanding of the relationship between Ca, Alk, Mg, pH etc.:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
No PO4 on test kit doesn't mean no PO4 in system, just that it is bound up in algae... if you have a lot of algae (like I do
) then you can still get a zero reading and have quite a bit in system that comes back now and then as algae dies off
pH is a little lower that I would like to see it... but with regular balanced dosing, that should come up a little I think
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php
I'd read the following to help you get a better understanding of the relationship between Ca, Alk, Mg, pH etc.:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
No PO4 on test kit doesn't mean no PO4 in system, just that it is bound up in algae... if you have a lot of algae (like I do
) then you can still get a zero reading and have quite a bit in system that comes back now and then as algae dies offYour parameters are pretty good. I'd get that pH up a bit. Might want to add some "ash soda" or the alkalinity that will raise your pH.
I agree with Mykel. No test will do an accurate job of detecting PO4. I just run a phosphate reactor and call it a day. I also try to keep Mg in the 1300 range. Also keep up with your regular water changes and you should see stuff thrive...
84F :eek1: Thats a bit on the high side. I just remember coming home to my tank at 83-84 and everything was completely stressed out! I try to keep it around 79-80 on a daily basis now. Some will argue that it's not the 84F and rather the big swing in temp... so whichever.
Anyway back to the Solana tanks!
More pics!
I agree with Mykel. No test will do an accurate job of detecting PO4. I just run a phosphate reactor and call it a day. I also try to keep Mg in the 1300 range. Also keep up with your regular water changes and you should see stuff thrive...
84F :eek1: Thats a bit on the high side. I just remember coming home to my tank at 83-84 and everything was completely stressed out! I try to keep it around 79-80 on a daily basis now. Some will argue that it's not the 84F and rather the big swing in temp... so whichever.
Anyway back to the Solana tanks!
More pics!Solana Wave
Solana Wave
Just added a VorTech MP40 to my solana here are some videos of the wave action.
Full tank shot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLYKrI0equQ
Anemones closer up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1fADOveAq4
SPS Polyp movement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtguWT1A55Y
Enjoy,
Mitch
Solana Wave
Just added a VorTech MP40 to my solana here are some videos of the wave action.
Full tank shot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLYKrI0equQ
Anemones closer up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1fADOveAq4
SPS Polyp movement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtguWT1A55Y
Enjoy,
Mitch
AquatiCoug
New member
Re: Solana Wave
Re: Solana Wave
I get nervous watching that!!!:eek1:
Re: Solana Wave
I get nervous watching that!!!:eek1:
erichatesmice
Member
After that Solana pendant is attached, can it still be swivelled out? For example, let's say you want space to work in the tank, can you swivel the solana out to the side?
Onewingdove
New member
Took some new picks thought I would share.
I hope this works, I had trouble posting pictures awhile back.
I hope this works, I had trouble posting pictures awhile back.
Onewingdove
New member
Cool got it.
Heres on of the new baby. ORA Red Planet.
This one I have never been able to ID, any ideas?
Heres on of the new baby. ORA Red Planet.
This one I have never been able to ID, any ideas?
Onewingdove
New member
This is a Sunpod 150 with a XM 20K.
I used the stock 14K for a while then a XM 15K and the growth was outstanding as this tank has only been up five months now. I really wanted to slow it down a bit and I like the blue side of it so I went with the 20K three weeks ago.
Didn't seem to slow them a bit. I guess cause the sunpod is only 3 or 4 inches from the surface and I still get good par values. Thats my guess I'm no lighting guru.
I used the stock 14K for a while then a XM 15K and the growth was outstanding as this tank has only been up five months now. I really wanted to slow it down a bit and I like the blue side of it so I went with the 20K three weeks ago.
Didn't seem to slow them a bit. I guess cause the sunpod is only 3 or 4 inches from the surface and I still get good par values. Thats my guess I'm no lighting guru.
Ding2daDong
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13038940#post13038940 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mitch529
Maybe you will get lucky and I will post some shots of my new starfire solana
Here is a sneak peek, dont mind the micro bubbles that stupid stock skimmer loves to blow them out when new. That will be changed out to the tunze skimmer soon just waiting for LFS to get some in stock.
Where are you getting a starfire glass solana from? I checked currents website and it doesn't say anything about it.
I also have a few questions for the solana tank owners;
What ballast is used on the stock 150w MH? Also is anyone having heat issues with the stock light without the glass top? Lastly is anyone having nitrate issues with tank overstocking? I am about to place an order and plan on keeping 5 fish.
Thanks for the help
-Matthew
Last edited:
tmantaylor18
Active member
I think the ballast is a sunpaq .
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