Solana tank owner thread.

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14439973#post14439973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aklee987
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?
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the material is actually just like filter floss (kinda hard to explain)
but when you do see it in person you will know what im talking about.
they have two kinds. one in a big pillow looking bag and one thats rolled up (in a sheet form) that you can cut to size and fit the drip plate in the back. you have to play with it a lil to make it stay in the drain part.

i'll take some pics and show you guys.

Felix-
 
I bought the pillow bag stuff, not morning glory but another brand, its all the same, besides a few cents difference in price.

Pics would be great Felix! Thanks.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14440067#post14440067 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisMc73
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.
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I will be happy when you do. You definitely know what you're doing by taking it slow. I've had a 55 gallon that I upgraded to a 125, both I kind of rushed into. When I got my Solana, I decided to go slow also. That changed a little when I got almost everything for Christmas though. Still taking the stocking of the tank fairly slow though.

What light are you going to get?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14440218#post14440218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aklee987
I will be happy when you do. You definitely know what you're doing by taking it slow. I've had a 55 gallon that I upgraded to a 125, both I kind of rushed into. When I got my Solana, I decided to go slow also. That changed a little when I got almost everything for Christmas though. Still taking the stocking of the tank fairly slow though.

What light are you going to get?
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You mean what light did I get? Waiting on its arrival...this one:


powermodule_2_web.jpg
 
Sweet fixture!

I'm doing the disco ball and I'm just now adding a t5 icecap retro w/660 for 'supplementation'. I just have to design and build the fixture for the t5's. It's only 10" wide so I'm planning it to cover the rear half of the tank and have the halide hit the front half.

New bulbs will be a Pheonix 14kK 150, 2 Blue Plus', 1 Super Actinic and 1 Aquablue 75/25.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14440391#post14440391 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by st9z
very nice Chris...what bulbs are you going to use?
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You would ask me that! I will have to dig up my email from ReefGeek and see which ones I finally went with, it was Greg, from ReefGeek's recommendation, I know I told him I wanted a mostly White look with a hint of ICE BLUE, so its a combo that produces that.

Here is a picture of the same ATI fixture sitting on top of the glass of a Solana...

ATISOLANA.jpg


I plan to hang mine, and so here is another look at the ATI fixture hanging above a similar tank, rimless, but not a Solana, just to give you an idea of the look I'm going for...

3088587910_f7c5cdb3f2.jpg



3087749861_2c53797a73.jpg
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14440170#post14440170 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisMc73
I bought the pillow bag stuff, not morning glory but another brand, its all the same, besides a few cents difference in price.

Pics would be great Felix! Thanks.
Click to expand...

I lied, I did buy the Morning Glory stuff...here it is...


IMG_1327.jpg
 
Nice fixture. Definitely need to post pics once you get it in. And thanks for the pic of the pillow stuffing. So you don't have problems with it falling apart and getting everywhere?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14440603#post14440603 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aklee987
Nice fixture. Definitely need to post pics once you get it in. And thanks for the pic of the pillow stuffing. So you don't have problems with it falling apart and getting everywhere?
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Well again, no water in tank, not setup, so I don't know, but if everyone is using it, and recommends it, I think its safe to say it doesn't get all over the place, I think its a pretty tight weave of stuff, you have to cut to shape and then use. Its pillow fiber so I think it stays all together...? Machine wash and dry means it probably doesn't come loose and get unraveled.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14440989#post14440989 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aklee987
I see. Sorry about my confusion. Did you order your Vortech box from InTank? I found his just after I finished making mine.
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Yes, just last night, I figured better for someone to make me one than trust my non handy man work. I'm wondering if I can still put cheato and other chemical/bio stuff down in the bottom of that 2nd chamber?
 
Oh, and if it hasn't been fully mentioned yet. Put the ATO float switch at the level of the plastic grid in the the third chamber that holds the bottles. I have an osmolator on another tank. The eye sensor goes a bit below that line because the water ususally sits about half way up the cone. The other standard float switch I put about 1/4"-1/2" above that cone's level. I'd rather have the ATO alarm and shut down the flow than have it fill the chamber a few inches.

Also, the osmolator pump runs itself for a set period of time when ever the power is reestablished so if you turn it off during feedings or water changes, calculate in that extra little bit of volume. I actually catch that water in a bottle and return it to the ATO tank instead of diluting my salinity.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14441030#post14441030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisMc73
Yes, just last night, I figured better for someone to make me one than trust my non handy man work. I'm wondering if I can still put cheato and other chemical/bio stuff down in the bottom of that 2nd chamber?
Click to expand...

I do keep chaeto in the 2nd chamber, but in order to remove/prune it, you have to take out the Vortech box. I velcroed a little strip light to the back of the tank right where the cheato sits.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14441232#post14441232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aklee987
I do keep chaeto in the 2nd chamber, but in order to remove/prune it, you have to take out the Vortech box. I velcroed a little strip light to the back of the tank right where the cheato sits.
Click to expand...
Did you see the 2 LED lights for the fuge on inTank, along with that Box for the VorTech? That what I bought. So I'll have submersible lights down there with the cheato...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14441589#post14441589 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aklee987
Sweet. You'll definitely have to let me know how it works. Perhaps I'll be making my wife mad by ordering more stuff.
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I'm already doing that! She's not happy I started at all. I keep telling her to wait till its done and sees all the pretty coral and reef...and fish...etc...

Besides I'm the one who cashed out my own vacation money as part of the budget on this build. I'm already getting the "upgrade" tank wants...after seeing this guy's AGE tank...its a custom rimless with starphire glass...30x30x24...amazing, I'll be here one day!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/afex2win/
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14441232#post14441232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aklee987
I do keep chaeto in the 2nd chamber, but in order to remove/prune it, you have to take out the Vortech box. I velcroed a little strip light to the back of the tank right where the cheato sits.
Click to expand...
can you take a pic of the light? what kind is it and where did you get it? i have been wanting to do that but i cant find a light... thanks!
 
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