Solana tank owner thread.

[st9z]

Hi everyone....just want to introduce myself. My name is NIKI and I just got my Solana on Sat and have been cycling ever since. I used to have a 90 gallon tank, but I had to tear it down because of a move. I love this forum it has so much useful information and everyone's Solana looks so great and it tempted me to go back into the hobby.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Mr Pheer]

I just bought a 34g Solana yesterday from my LFS.

I got the stand and the 20" 150w HQI light with the Powerpaq 14,000k metal halide lamp.

Setting it up in my office, right next to my desk. Going to start it with some liverock from my 100g cube.

I'm pretty excited about this, and having a tank in my home office.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14431609#post14431609 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by st9z
Hi everyone....just want to introduce myself. My name is NIKI and I just got my Solana on Sat and have been cycling ever since. I used to have a 90 gallon tank, but I had to tear it down because of a move. I love this forum it has so much useful information and everyone's Solana looks so great and it tempted me to go back into the hobby.

Thanks a bunch!

What kind of light fixture is that you got there?
More pics! Especially as the water clears up!

 

[st9z]

I am currently using the Coralife HQI hang on fixture. I think I like either T5's more or the disco ball that comes with the solana. SO if anybody here wants to trade lmk

 

[aklee987]

I use the disco ball and love it. I'm thinking about trying to rewire it to a 250 watt bulb. I'm not sure if thats even possible. If anyone knows, please let me know. Perhaps I can get in touch with an electrician or something.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

Have any of you all removed the ATO bottles and use that 3rd chamber as an ATO with float switches?

I've never seen the back of the tank filled with water, so I don't know how it will fill up, if that 3rd chamber can be used as an ATO with float switches or not?

Please advise.

 

[aklee987]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14437218#post14437218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisMc73
Have any of you all removed the ATO bottles and use that 3rd chamber as an ATO with float switches?

I've never seen the back of the tank filled with water, so I don't know how it will fill up, if that 3rd chamber can be used as an ATO with float switches or not?

Please advise.

I have removed the bottles and use a Tunze Osmolator in my third chamber. Expensive but works great. It actually has 2 sensors, the main one which is some sort of electronic eye, and a regular float switch as an emergency one. I have a tupperware thing from Walmart in my stand to hold top off water.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14437389#post14437389 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aklee987
I have removed the bottles and use a Tunze Osmolator in my third chamber. Expensive but works great. It actually has 2 sensors, the main one which is some sort of electronic eye, and a regular float switch as an emergency one. I have a tupperware thing from Walmart in my stand to hold top off water.

Ok, so the two ATO sensors, one is IR and one is a float sensor, go down far enough into that chamber to do the ATO job? How high does that water get? Just above the return valve area?

 

[aklee987]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14437507#post14437507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisMc73
Ok, so the two ATO sensors, one is IR and one is a float sensor, go down far enough into that chamber to do the ATO job? How high does that water get? Just above the return valve area?

I placed the IR sensor as low as possible. Seems to work perfect. It is just about exactly where the ledge is that held the plastic bottles. The emergency float sensor I actually placed about 5 inches higher, somewhat near the top of the tank. Maybe an inch below the rim. I'm thinking about moving it slightly lower. If the float switch is activated, it sounds a really loud annoying alarm. The IR sensor and the "computer" inside the control center work great, water level usually doesn't vary by more than 1 inch (probably less).

The only time I run into an issue is if my sponge in the overflow area gets slightly clogged (the black one that comes with it). The detrius that it gets clogged with slows water flow down. Then water level raises in the display, and goes down in the back. ATO kicks in to raise water level in the back. Then I notice whats going on and clean the sponge. Water level in the display drops, and the water level is about 2 inches too high in the back. Also (obviously) slightly affects salinity. The only real solution I can think of is to either clean your sponge regularly or not use one (which makes a waterfall sound). And this is a problem that any ATO would have.

Thats the reason why I put my emergency float switch really high. Don't want it to go off all the time, but now that I look at it, I should move it an inch or two lower.

Anyone have any other solutions?

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

I was told to remove all the sponges and filter pads that came with the Solana, I think even that black one. Then I was told to buy filter floss, from the Wal-Mart craft department. But not sure if they meant use in that first overflow drop or not?
Its just really pillow stuffing, but apparently good for the tank in cleaning the water, and meant to be changed pretty often, but lucky thing its dirt cheap. You might try a temporary switch of that black filter with the filter floss from Wal-Mart, and see how it does flow wise...?

 

[pprwngs]

ChrisMC73 check out autotopoff.com they sell a great product and is not nearly as expensive as the tunze. just my opinion.

 

[aklee987]

I looked at the autotopoff.com products too. They seem really nice, I have heard great things. However, when my wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I had to say the Osmolator. Actually, I was going to buy the Solana after Christmas and have the Osmolator and the Tunze 9002 ready for it, but my wife surprised me with both the Osmolator AND THE SOLANA, LIGHT, AND STAND! Very nice Christmas.

 

[aklee987]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14437721#post14437721 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisMc73
I was told to remove all the sponges and filter pads that came with the Solana, I think even that black one. Then I was told to buy filter floss, from the Wal-Mart craft department. But not sure if they meant use in that first overflow drop or not?
Its just really pillow stuffing, but apparently good for the tank in cleaning the water, and meant to be changed pretty often, but lucky thing its dirt cheap. You might try a temporary switch of that black filter with the filter floss from Wal-Mart, and see how it does flow wise...?

I'll definitely try the filter floss next time I go to the store. Right now, I have to clean my sponge about every 3 days, so its not too bad. If I ever go out of town, I just remove the sponge (no one home to care about the waterfall noise). How often do you change your filter floss?

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14437805#post14437805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aklee987
I'll definitely try the filter floss next time I go to the store. Right now, I have to clean my sponge about every 3 days, so its not too bad. If I ever go out of town, I just remove the sponge (no one home to care about the waterfall noise). How often do you change your filter floss?

aklee,
Check out this product...
Poly Filter Material

My tank is not setup yet, gathering the equipment, so I don't change it at all, this is just what I was told to use, on another thread on another board. They said every few days, to every other day...depends on how dirty it gets.

 

[laverda]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14437133#post14437133 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aklee987
I use the disco ball and love it. I'm thinking about trying to rewire it to a 250 watt bulb. I'm not sure if thats even possible. If anyone knows, please let me know. Perhaps I can get in touch with an electrician or something.

Wiring it is easy, the hard part is you have to replace the bulb holder. The 250 wait bulbs use a different style holder and the bulbs are longer. I doubt it would fit.
I have read that the Disco ball actually works very well and a 250 should not be needed if you go to a better quality bulb.

 

[Felix1021]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14437721#post14437721 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisMc73
I was told to remove all the sponges and filter pads that came with the Solana, I think even that black one. Then I was told to buy filter floss, from the Wal-Mart craft department. But not sure if they meant use in that first overflow drop or not?
Its just really pillow stuffing, but apparently good for the tank in cleaning the water, and meant to be changed pretty often, but lucky thing its dirt cheap. You might try a temporary switch of that black filter with the filter floss from Wal-Mart, and see how it does flow wise...?

I use morning glory (pillow stuffing) from the walmart (craft dept.)
it works great for me. I've been using it for a long time.

Works great, cheap, change it weekly = clean tank.

Felix-

 

[aklee987]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14438309#post14438309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by laverda
Wiring it is easy, the hard part is you have to replace the bulb holder. The 250 wait bulbs use a different style holder and the bulbs are longer. I doubt it would fit.
I have read that the Disco ball actually works very well and a 250 should not be needed if you go to a better quality bulb.

Thanks for the info. I've read the same thing about the disco ball fixture being really good quality. I would like to put a 250 in it simply because it would be neat. I'm also running out of things to do with this tank, I can't think of any more mods, so I'm thinking of crazy things like that.

 

[aklee987]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14439036#post14439036 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Felix1021
I use morning glory (pillow stuffing) from the walmart (craft dept.)
it works great for me. I've been using it for a long time.

Works great, cheap, change it weekly = clean tank.

Felix-

So you use this in the overflow box also? Does it stay together or are you fishing little pieces of pillow stuffing out of the back area all the time?

 

[aklee987]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14438127#post14438127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisMc73
aklee,
Check out this product...
Poly Filter Material

My tank is not setup yet, gathering the equipment, so I don't change it at all, this is just what I was told to use, on another thread on another board. They said every few days, to every other day...depends on how dirty it gets.

Chris- What are you waiting for? Get that tank up and running!

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

I don't have my lights yet, I just ordered a dock box for my VorTech MP40w power head so I can mount it in the center of the back part of my tank, and I don't have any of my heaters, test kits, etc...

I'm gathering up all my equipment first, then I'll purchase the live rock and sand etc...

I'm taking it SLOW as suggested, reading everything, learning, etc...no RUSH for me.

I will get there, and you'll be happy when I do.