Solana tank owner thread.

[Onewingdove]

Here's a few min ago...

 

[Onewingdove]

Man I got to get a better camera...and some skills to go with it.

 

[SOLANA34]

i see many sps in your tanks but how is the long term growth and color?

 

[Cristina_j]

I've had my tank up just short of a year....I run stock skimmer, but have upgraded the light to a 250 MH and 2 54w t-5 actinics held in a 24" Maristar fixture....I have alot of light...the picture I did before was from early march or april...these are from today...

Straight On...

Left Side...

Right Side...

 

[Cristina_j]

I also don't do any additives...just do weekly water changes...I've already got great color and great growth, but I'm sure it could be better with doing more...I'm a big pusher on keeping your hands out of the tank as much as possible...I only go in if things are getting burnt or have fallen over. I did not do anything to the coloration of the photos and they were originally raw and just converted for the sake of it being easier to post.

Most corals I received from my bf's tank were an inch to an inch and a half...hence why I have so many that are still small...I've really only bought 4-5 pieces for this tank, 2 of which died a few days after bringing them home. My German blue digi has more than tripled it size in the last three months. Now that the tank is more established (they say it takes 6-8 mos) then you start to see the wicked crazy growth and coloration...I have to say at this point the last few months have been good to me in the growth department....just need to work on the pest control department

 

[Ding2daDong]

Anyone having extreme problems with microbubbles? I can't seem to stop them. I have been cramming filter floss in every chamber and it still looks like a snow globe. I don't know what is wrong.

Also is the skimmer supposed to be really noisey?

-Matthew

 

[Coral C's]

I am not having any mirco bubbles anymore but I too can not get the darn stock skimmer tuned properly. I have tried the rubberband at several different level but still it is just filling up with water which is then causing Nitrate problems in my tank. I am also having heating issues. Does anyone know if the Azoo fans or any other will work with the glass top being on? My fish and eel are ok but I can't keep anything else alive in the tank.

 

[Cristina_j]

probably not with the glass top on...best bet there is a chiller (i have a used 1/15 for sale if your interested)...i run topless and just got the tunze fans and they seem to be doing the trick...evap is up a whole lot, but i guess it was expected.

 

[Coral C's]

I may have to go with an egg crate type cover, my son has a wolf eel so topless is out of the question. Where I have the tank a chiller would not work but thanks for the offer. If I go with the egg crate topping then I can put a fan on it.
Still would like to know about the skimmer, if I change it out I would pefer to having something that would fit into the same compartment without any mods. I read earlier in this thread about a cup that can be put on the Tunze that will allow that but I need to know where to get the cup. Anyone????

 

[Cristina_j]

EZcompany made a top for the tank out of clear screen, got the supplies from home depot...you can't really see it either...egg crate is going to cut back on the light that enters the tank....but definately with an eel you need it covered...but the fans should work if you decide to go that route.

 

[Coral C's]

Do you know if EXcompany has a picture of it in a thread anywhere? Would love to see it.

 

[Lowredranger]

I have a couple pictures of the mesh top in my gallery

 

[Coral C's]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13265169#post13265169 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lowredranger
I have a couple pictures of the mesh top in my gallery

Did you make it out of actual window screening? The frame too? Are you having any rusting issues with the salt water? Looks like something I can do.
Thanks

 

[Cristina_j]

I'll see if I can find it...EZ is on here and on nano-reef...

 

[Coral C's]

Thank you

 

[Cristina_j]

ok so here is a picture of the tank

here are the details she replied to my bf with....
wiz- the top was made from a Home Depot screen door kit, you can find it for around $10. You then need to saw the aluminum frame to match your top. I'll try to post more pics for you

 

[Cristina_j]

more info from her thread....

"screens will always block light, however my screen is clear material, close to that of fishing line so its hardly noticeable at all."

 

[Coral C's]

I like how that looks, does she say anything about it rusting at all? Worried about the metal with the salt water.
Oh and Thank you soooo much for all your help.

 

[Cristina_j]

the screen she used has no metal is close to a monofiliment line....aka fishing line...it is clear...check at home depot...or print out that pic and take it with you...tell them you want to build that on top...it is from screen and aluminum frame...just make sure the screen you get is clear...black i think would block out too much light..and it looks like a thick screen...not the fine mesh! she frequents here alot...so hopefully Jin will chime in.

 

[Coral C's]

I will do that, print the pic... again Thank you soo much for all your help.